NHL Hockey Player News

The 3-16-1 Vancouver Canucks have struggled in every facet this season, with goaltending no exception. That said, Leevi Merilainen has outperformed Kevin Lankinen and will return to the crease on Friday. The 24-year-old Merilainen has allowed three or fewer goals in four of his last five games, but has an ugly .864 SV% and a 1-4-0 record. The Canucks enter Friday's game as +193 home underdogs against the New York Rangers, who are 4-1-0 in their past five games

DeMelo suffered a lower-body injury in the first period of Thursday's 8-3 win over the Dallas Stars. Jets Head Coach Scott Arniel announced following the game that DeMelo will be out week-to-week. The 33-year-old defenseman has eight points (1G / 7A) and is averaging 20:15 time-on-ice through 19 games this season.

With Linus Ullmark back from a lower-body injury, Ottawa has assigned Parsons back to Belleville (AHL). The 21-year-old Parsons has a 2.64 GAA and .916 SV% in eight games (4-3-1) with Belleville this season.

With Nathan MacKinnon (lower body) uncertain for Saturday, the Avalanche have recalled Brindley from the Colorado Eagles (AHL). The 22-year-old Brindley scored one assist in five games with the Avalanche earlier this season.

Bichsel suffered a lower-body injury in the first period of Thursday's 8-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets and did not return. Head Coach Glen Gulutzan did not provide a concrete update on Bichsel after the game, but expects he will miss at least two games with the injury. The hard-hitting 22-year-old Swiss defenseman has battled injuries early in his career, including missing 32 games last season.

DeMelo suffered a lower-body injury in the first period of Thursday's 8-3 win over the Dallas Stars. Jets Head Coach Scott Arniel announced following the game that DeMelo will be out week-to-week. The 33-year-old defenseman has eight points (1G / 7A) and is averaging 20:15 time-on-ice through 19 games this season.

Kreider had difficulty leaving the ice after suffering a lower-body injury on Thursday. The 35-year-old forward has played a smaller role in his first season with the Canadiens, but remained semi-productive, scoring nine points (3G / 6A) in 18 games. An update should be provided before Montreal returns to action on Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche.

Monahan is having a disappointing 2026-27 season, with things getting worse in Thursday's game, leaving with an upper-body injury. The 32-year-old forward has just six points (1G / 5A) in 16 games this season. An update on Monahan's status should be provided before Columbus returns to action on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Eriksson Ek exited Thursday's game with an upper-body injury, but Head Coach John Hynes was optimistic that it the injury a long-term issue. An update should be provided before Minnesota returns to action on Saturday against the Boston Bruins.

Makar appears to have suffered a non-contact injury in Thursday's game. He returned for one shift but left shortly after and did not return. The talented defenseman has been battling an injury over the past week and missed a couple of practices, but it is unclear if his most recent ailment is related.

Anton Forsberg hasn't played poorly this season, but Darcy Kuemper remains the only Kings goalie with a win and will return to the crease on Thursday. That said, Kuemper struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 18 shots (.778 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The veteran 36-year-old goalie has a 2.98 GAA and .896 SV% in his last six games (5-1-0). The Kings enter Thursday's game as -122 home favourites against a New York Islanders team they defeated 3-2 earlier this season in a game where Kuemper saved 41 of 43 shots (.953 SV%).

Sorokin has had an up-and-down 2026-27 season, but was outstanding in his most recent outing, saving 39 of 41 shots (.951 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks. It ended a four-game stretch where the 31-year-old Russian goalie had allowed three or more goals in four straight games (1-2-1), posting a .877 SV%. The Islanders enter Thursday's game as +108 road underdogs against a Los Angeles Kings team that has been outscored 8-2 in their past two games (0-2-0).