NHL Hockey Player News

With Linus Ullmark off to an outstanding season, the Senators haven’t had to deviate from him much, but they will turn to Ersson on Tuesday in the tail end of a back-to-back. The 26-year-old Ersson struggled in his only start, allowing four goals on 35 shots (.886 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The Senators enter Tuesday’s contest as slight -101 home underdogs against a 2-2-1 St. Louis Blues team.

Noesen has been an effective depth contributor at the NHL level in recent seasons, but had an off 2025-26 season with the Devils, scoring just seven points (3G / 4A) in 38 games. The 33-year-old forward was held off to the scoresheet in two games with the Devils this season, and recently found himself with Utica (AHL) after clearing waivers. He will return to the Devils lineup on Tuesday, replacing Luke Evangelista (illness).

Evangelista was a game-time decision yesterday due to an illness against the Ottawa Senators, but drew into the lineup, recording a -2 plus/minus in 11:43 time-on-ice. That said, he will return to the sidelines on Tuesday because of an illness. The 24-year-old forward has three points (2G / 1A) in five games this season. Stefan Noesen will suit up as Evangelista's replacement.

Kovacevic was a limited participant in training camp and has yet to play this season, but he will make his debut on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 29-year-old defenseman recorded eight assists in 34 games last season.

Radko Gudas (undisclosed) will not play on Tuesday, allowing Balinskis to re-enter the lineup. The 30-year-old Balinski is averaging 13:55 time-on-ice, recording zero points and a +2 plus/minus in three games this season.

Gudas played 12:27 time-on-ice in yesterday's 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, but is battling an undisclosed injury and will not play on Tuesday. The hard-hitting defenseman is averaging 13:08 time-on-ice, recording zero points and 13 hits in six games. Uvis Balinskis will draw into the lineup as Gudas' replacement

Jacob Markstrom exited yesterday's 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres early in the second period for precautionary reasons and was replaced by Akira Schmid, who saved 18 of 21 shots (.857 SV%) in the losing effort. Markstrom is not expected to miss significant time, but he will not suit up for Tuesday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Jacob Markstrom exited yesterday's 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres early in the second period for precautionary reasons and was replaced by Akira Schmid, who saved 18 of 21 shots (.857 SV%) in the losing effort. The 26-year-old Schmid hasn't been tested much this season, and will likely start for just the second time. The Panthers enter Tuesday's contest as +109 road underdogs against the 2-2-0 Columbus Blue Jackets.

Knight had a solid first full season with the Blackhawks in 2025-26, posting a serviceable 2.82 GAA and .902 SV% in 55 games (19-25-11). That said, the 25-year-old goalie has struggled out of the gate in 2026-27, as has his team (1-5-0), posting an ugly 3.80 GAA and .885 SV% in four games (1-3-0). The Blackhawks, hopeful to welcome Conor Bedard (shoulder) into their lineup for his season debut, enter Tuesday's contest as +142 home underdogs against a 3-2-1 Pittsburgh Penguins team.

Jeremy Swayman had a miserable 2024-25 season after signing a massive eight-year contract extension, posting an ugly 3.11 GAA and .892 SV% in 58 games (22-29-7). The organization had concerns about the contract, but he followed it up with a solid 2025-26 season, posting a 2.71 GAA and .907 SV% in 55 games (31-18-4). Now, the 27-year-old goalie seems to be continuing his upward trajectory, opening the season with an outstanding 1.79 GAA and .932 SV% through five games (4-1-0). The Bruins enter Tuesday's contest as -120 road favourites against a San Jose Sharks team that has scored just four goals in their last three games (0-2-1).

Helleson did not play during training camp and has yet to play this season, but will make his debut on Tuesday. The third-year pro is entering an important season, with the Ducks having never appeared in more than 60 games in any of his first two campaigns. He will look to build off the two goals and 15 points he put up across 60 games last season.

Hyman played 20:33 on ice in Edmonton's season-opening 6-5 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, but hasn't played since due to an upper-body injury. He appears to be nearing a return, but will miss at least one more game. His next chance to return will be Thursday against the Utah Mammoth. The 34-year-old forward had a resurgent 2025-26 season, scoring 52 points (31G / 21A) in 58 games, and will again be relied upon heavily for offence in 2026-27.

Neither Tristan Jarry nor Devon Levi has been spectacular to start the 2026-27 season, but Levi hasn't lost yet and will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 24-year-old Levi is coming off a strong performance, stopping 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks, and is 3-0-0 with a 3.35 GAA and .863 SV% this season. The Oilers enter Tuesday's contest as -130 road favourites against a winless Kings team that has been outscored 17-10 through four games (0-2-2).

Goodrow has played all five games this season, scoring zero points, but was absent from practice on Monday. The 33-year-old bottom-six forward is hopeful to return to the lineup when the Sharks return to action on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins.

Askarov has struggled to start the 2026-27 season, but will return to the crease on Tuesday for his fifth start in six games. The 24-year-old goalie allowed three goals on 17 shots (.850 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. He has a 3.71 GAA and .860 SV% in four games (2-2-0). The Sharks enter Tuesday's contest as slight +109 home underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that has outscored opponents 11-2 in their last two games (2-0-0).

After finishing his first season with the Kings in 2024-25 as the second Vezina Trophy runner-up, Kuemper followed it with a disappointing 2025-26 season, posting a 2.78 GAA and .891 SV% in 50 games (19-14-15). Looking to get back on track in 2026-27, Kuemper's start hasn't been encouraging, posting an ugly 4.03 GAA and .868 SV% through three games (0-2-1). The Kings enter Tuesday's contest as +177 road underdogs against the Edmonton Oilers, who have scored 20 goals during a four-game winning streak.