NHL Hockey Player News

The Canadiens have struggled lately, losing four straight (0-3-1) and being outscored 18-6. They will turn to Montembeault on Thursday, hoping to return to the win column against a Washington Capitals team playing the tail end of a back-to-back. The 29-year-old Montembeault allowed three goals on 23 shots (.870 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins, and has an ugly 3.56 GAA and .858 SV% in 11 appearances this season (4-5-1).

The Oilers will likely go with an 11-7 formation on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals, with Emberson drawing in on the blueline. The 25-year-old Emberson has three points (1G / 2A) and is averaging 15:44 time-on-ice in 16 games this season.

The Oilers scored only once in a 5-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, and hope to spark some offence with David Tomasek replacing an injured Noah Philp (undisclosed) in the lineup on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals. The 29-year-old Tomasek was a high-pedigree scorer with Farjestads BK Karlstad (SweHL) last season, but has only three points (1G / 2A) in his first 14 NHL games.

The Oilers scored only once in a 5-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, and hope to spark some offence with David Tomasek replacing an injured Noah Philp in the lineup on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals. The 27-year-old Philp has three points (2G / 1A) and a -7 plus/minus in 15 games this season.

Lazar had a disappointing game for the Oilers in their 5-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, recording a -2 plus/minus in 9:03 time-on-ice. The 30-year-old Lazar has one goal and a -3 plus/minus through nine games this season.

Skinner and the Oilers struggled in a disappointing loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, allowing four goals on 27 shots (.852 SV%) in the 5-1 defeat. That said, Skinner has been more consistent than Calvin Pickard this season and will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals. The 27-year-old Skinner boasts a 2.86 GAA and .889 SV% in 15 games this season (7-5-3). The Oilers enter Wednesday's contest as +107 road underdogs against a Capitals team that has scored two or fewer goals in their last two games (1-0-1).

An injury to Matthew Knies (lower body) allowed Blais to draw into Toronto's lineup on Tuesday, but his appearance was short-lived, exiting the contest after only 6:31 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. That said, Blais seems no worse for wear, returning to practice on Wednesday. The 29-year-old Blais recorded an assist before his injury, giving him three points (1G / 2A) and 27 hits in seven games this season.

Benson has not played since October 30th due to a lower-body injury, but has returned to practice, and should return to the lineup shortly. The 20-year-old Benson was off to a hot start before his injury, scoring eight points (0G / 8A) through eight games.

Zucker has missed seven straight games, but returned to practice this week, and should return to the lineup on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 33-year-old Zucker is averaging 14:44 time-on-ice, recording seven points (4G / 3A), 15 hits, and 27 shots in 12 games this season.

The Capitals have been inconsistent lately, losing seven of their last 10 (3-5-2), but have continued to receive elite netminding from Logan Thompson. The 28-year-old Thompson returns to the crease on Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers, looking to build on an impressive 1.85 GAA and .925 SV% through 13 games (7-5-1). Thompson was stellar in his most recent outing, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%), but did not receive ample goal support, losing 3-2 to the New Jersey Devils in a shootout. The Capitals enter Wednesday's contest as -118 home favourites against an Oilers team coming off a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

Sabres' Head Coach Lindy Ruff insisted that he trusted Ellis because of the big saves he was making with the games on the line, and as such, he will roll with Ellis for the fourth time in the last week. The 25-year-old rookie netminder was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%) in Buffalo's 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers. He has a 2.76 GAA and .914 SV% in four games this season (3-1-0). The Sabres enter Wednesday's contest as -154 home favourites against a struggling Calgary Flames team that lost 5-2 last night to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Romanov violently collided into the boards near the end of the third period after a collision with Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen. Romanov needed assistance leaving the ice, and Rantanen was issued a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct. Islanders' Head Coach Patrick Roy did not have an update on Romanov after the game, but said he did not need to go to the hospital.

Parssinen will slot in for the first time since November 8th. He has appeared in 12 games this season, scoring two goals and adding one assist.

Edstrom will take a seat on Tuesday as Juuso Parssinen draws into the lineup. Edstrom is yet to score a goal and has just two assists in 18 games this season.

Borgen missed the Rangers' previous two games with an upper-body injury but will return to the lineup in Vegas on Tuesday. The 28-year-old defender will make a welcome addition back to the Rangers' lineup, with his three points (1G/2A), eight PIMs and +4 plus/minus in 18 games played this season.

O'Brien will take a seat on Tuesday as the Mammoth opt to get some fresh legs into the lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Kailer Yamamoto will dress in his place.