NHL Hockey Player News

Askarov has been a bright spot for the Sharks this season, trying to make a case for the Calder Trophy, but is coming off a miserable effort, allowing four goals on 12 shots (.667 SV%) in a 7-1 loss to the Washington Capitals. The 23-year-old rookie netminder will attempt to rebound on Friday against the red-hot Dallas Stars and improve on a 3.15 GAA and .903 SV% through 18 games (10-7-1). The Sharks enter the action as sizable +240 road underdogs.

Hedman has not played in nearly a month due to an undisclosed injury, but should return to the lineup on Saturday against the New York Islanders. Darren Raddysh has been successful filling in on Tampa Bay's top powerplay unit in Hedman's absence, so it will be interesting to see if Hedman reclaims those duties immediately. Hedman has 12 points (0G / 12A) in 15 games.

Fensore made his season debut on October 28th, but was limited to only one NHL contest. The 24-year-old blueliner has picked up 15 points (3G / 12A) in 17 AHL games this season with the Chicago Wolves.

Harley has not played since November 13th, and few details have been revealed about his injury. He was back at practice on Friday and appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. The 24-year-old Harley was battling the injury before being sidelined, resulting in a lacklustre start to the season, with 10 points (1G / 9A) and a -7 plus/minus in 18 games.

The Stars have been among the hottest teams in the league, going 15-2-5 in their last 22 games, all without needing Oettinger to be spectacular. That said, the 26-year-old Oettinger is coming off his second shutout of the season, a 30-save performance in a 3-0 win over the New Jersey Devils. He has a 2.60 GAA and .906 SV% in 18 games this season (12-4-2). The Stars enter Friday's contest as significant -276 home favorites against a San Jose Sharks team coming off an embarrassing 7-1 loss to the Washington Capitals.

Josh Dunne will be a healthy scratch on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets, allowing Greenway to return from a one-game absence. The 28-year-old Greenway has three points (1G / 2A) and a -7 plus/minus in 13 games this season.

Jordan Greenway will return to the Sabres lineup on Friday, resulting in Dunne being a healthy scratch against the Winnipeg Jets. The 26-year-old Dunne has three points (1G / 2A) in 18 games this season.

Luostarinen suffered burns from an unfortunate non-hockey incident and has been sidelined since mid-November. The 27-year-old Luostarainen was having an excellent season before his injury, scoring 10 points (3G / 7A) and recording 42 hits through 18 games.

Zub showed no signs of an injury in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens, scoring a goal and playing 24:02 time-on-ice, but did not play on Thursday. The 30-year-old Zub has 31 hits, 39 blocks, and 11 points (3G / 8A) in 26 games and could return to the lineup on Saturday.

Pinto exited Thursday's 4-2 loss to the New York Rangers late in the first period and did not return. The 25-year-old Pinto is pacing for career-best offensive totals this season, with 18 points (12G / 6A) in 27 games, but it is unclear when he will return to the lineup.

Dobes was excellent in Montreal's 3-2 shootout win over the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%), and will be rewarded with another start on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Czech goalie has a dazzling 1.97 GAA and .930 SV% in six October games (6-0-0), but followed that up with an ugly 4.42 GAA and .849 SV% in seven November outings (2-3-2).

Fleury has not played since November 11th due to a concussion but is nearing his return after being cleared for contact. The 29-year-old Fleuery has played 15 games this season and not played more than 47 games since his rookie season in 2017-18.

Markstrom and the Devils are coming off a 3-0 loss to the Dallas Stars, where Markstrom allowed three goals on 28 shots (.893 SV%), but he will return to the crease on Friday looking to redeem himself against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 35-year-old Markstrom has struggled this season, earning quality starts in a career-worst 25 percent of games, posting an ugly 3.55 GAA and .875 SV% through 13 outings (7-5-1). The Devils enter Friday's action as +106 home underdogs against a Golden Knights team on a two-game winning streak.

The Sabres are coming off a 5-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers and hope to return to the win column on Friday, turning to Luukkonen to tend the twine against the Winnipeg Jets. The 26-year-old Luukkonen was terrific against the Jets on Monday, saving 23 of 24 shots in a 5-1 win. He has a 2.51 GAA and .899 SV% in eight games this season (4-3-1). The Sabres enter Friday's contest as +116 road underdogs against a struggling Jets team that has lost six of their last seven games (1-5-1).

Carlile has played the past few games for Tampa Bay, but has been reassigned to a familiar place in the AHL. The 25-year-old defenseman has one goal in nine games with Tampa Bay this season.

Dennis Cholowski will be a healthy scratch on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights, allowing White to re-enter the lineup. The 28-year-old White is averaging 12:02 time-on-ice and has zero points through eight games this season.

Colton White will draw back into the Devils lineup on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights, sending Cholowski back to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Cholowski is averaging 14:38 time-on-ice and has one assist in 12 games this season.

Lammikko has played the last several games for the Devils, but will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 29-year-old Finnish forward has zero points in 15 games this season.

Markstrom and the Devils are coming off a 3-0 loss to the Dallas Stars, where Markstrom allowed three goals on 28 shots (.893 SV%), but he will return to the crease on Friday looking to redeem himself against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 35-year-old Markstrom has struggled this season, earning quality starts in a career-worst 25 percent of games, posting an ugly 3.55 GAA and .875 SV% through 13 outings (7-5-1). The Devils enter Friday's action as +106 home underdogs against a Golden Knights team on a two-game winning streak.