NHL Hockey Player News

Karel Vejmelka was expected to lead Utah between the pipes this season, but early-season struggles have opened a door for rookie Sebastian Cossa in recent weeks. Cossa has had some good outings, but has been far from consistent, including allowing five goals in his most recent game (.857 SV%) in a 5-4 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. He has a 3.30 GAA and .871 SV% in seven appearances (4-1-1). The Mammoth enter Wednesday's game as slight +109 road underdogs against a Vegas Golden Knights team with points in four straight games (3-0-1).

After a poor start to the 2026-27 season, Vladar was turning things around, but he finds himself in another funk. The 29-year-old Czech goalie allowed four goals on 26 shots (.846 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-3 loss to the Calgary Flames. Vladar has allowed three or more goals in each of his past four games (1-1-2). The Flyers enter Wednesday's game as +179 road underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers team that is 5-1-1 in their last seven games.

Korpisalo recently made his season debut after returning from a lower-body injury and will return to the crease on Wednesday, suggesting the Rangers intend to rotate goalies for the time being. The 32-year-old Korpisalo saved 25 of 28 shots (.893 SV%) in his only outing, a 4-3 win over the Seattle Kraken. The Rangers enter Wednesday's game as -139 road favourites against a Calgary Flames team coming off a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Vasilevskiy is coming off a solid 2025-26 season, winning his second Vezina Trophy, but he has been far from stellar to start the 2026-27 season. The 32-year-old Vasilevskiy struggled in his previous outing, allowing four goals on 26 shots (.846 SV%) in a 4-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. He has uncharacteristically allowed three or more goals in eight of 13 games this season (8-4-1). Still, Tampa Bay enters Wednesday's game as -126 road favourites against a Buffalo Sabres team that has scored two or fewer goals in three of their last six games (4-2-0).

Alex Lyon (lower body) is nearing his return, so Luukkonen, who has struggled this season, needs to improve if he hopes to be in the Sabres' rotation, which has leaned more on Colten Ellis in recent games. That said, the 27-year-old Luukkonen is coming off consecutive strong outings (2-0-0), saving 51 of 55 shots (.927 SV%). Before those two outings, Luukkonen had allowed three or more goals in eight of nine games (3-3-3). The Sabres enter Wednesday's game as +114 home underdogs against a Tampa Bay Lightning team coming off a devastating last-second 4-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

After just 17 games, Anthony Mantha has been placed on LTIR due to a throat injury. The 32-year-old has unfortunately become known for missing extended periods due to injury throughout his career. He has five goals and 10 points in 17 games prior to being placed on LTIR.

Tufte did not appear in any games with the Devils during his most recent call-up and was reassigned to Utica (AHL) on loan on Wednesday. The 28-year-old will hope to return to the NHL this season so that he can add to the 28 career games played he has under his belt.

With Anthony Mantha placed on LTIR, New Jersey has called up Lenni Hameenaho from Utica (AHL). The 22-year-old Finnish forward appeared in 33 games with the Devils as a rookie last season but has yet to be called up this year. He had six goals and nine points in 11 games with Utica prior to the call-up.

Noesen is back up for his second stint with the Devils after Anthony Mantha was placed on LTIR, and he was recalled from Utica (AHL). The 33-year-old veteran has played well despite limited minutes in New Jersey, with a goal and three points in his first five games played prior to his previous demotion.

Doughty blocked a slap shot from Nashville's Steven Stamkos on Tuesday and felt the effects on Wednesday, missing practice. It's unclear whether Doughty's ailment will affect his availability for Thursday's game against the New York Islanders.

Honzek has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on October 8th, but returned to practice on Tuesday and appears to be nearing a return following an impending conditioning stint with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL). The 21-year-old Slovak forward, the 16th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, has had difficulty emerging at the the NHL level, largely due to injuries after missing 64 games last season due to injuries, and already 14 games this season. He has zero points and a -4 plus/minus in four games this season.

The Penguins have struggled this season, and goaltending has rarely helped them, whether it's Arturs Silovs or Sergei Murashov. The 22-year-old Murashov has seen limited action this season and has faced adversity, but he's coming off a solid outing, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings. That said, he has allowed four or more goals in three of his last four games (1-3-0). The Penguins enter Wednesday's contest as -137 road favourites against a San Jose Sharks team that has scored two or fewer goals in five of their last six games (1-5-0).

Safonov was a sixth-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and has yet to play an NHL game. The 25-year-old Russian forward made his professional North American debut this season, scoring four points (0G / 4A) in 12 games with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL). He spent the previous several seasons in the KHL with Kzan Ak-Bars, including scoring 33 points (16G / 17A) in 68 games last season.

Head Coach Andre Tourigny said Guenther was "banged up" in Utah's previous game, but insisted his absence from practice was more of maintenance. Still, he will be a game-time decision on Wednesday. The 23-year-old Guenther had a career-high 73 points (40G / 33A) in 79 games last season, but has not had the same offensive touch to start 2026-27, with just 12 points (6G / 6A) through 18 games.