NHL Hockey Player News

Hurricanes Head Coach Rod Brind'Amour started Brandon Bussi in the first two games of the season, but he seems to be easing into a more balanced goalie rotation, with Kochetkov returning to the crease on Tuesday. The 27-year-old Kochetkov has been solid early this season, posting a 1.64 GAA and .912 SV% in three games (3-0-0). He saved 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) in his previous outing, a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Hurricanes enter Tuesday's contest as -149 home favourites against a 3-2-0 Washington Capitals team.

With Alex Lyon (upper body) still sidelined, the Sabres have relied heavily on Luukkonen, who hasn't delivered encouraging results. Luukkonen has an ugly 3.67 GAA and .812 SV% in four games (2-2-0). That said, the 27-year-old Finnish goalie played well in relief yesterday, saving 13 of 14 shots (.929 SV%) in a 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers. The Sabres enter Tuesday’s contest as +139 road underdogs against a Montreal Canadiens team coming off a 1-0 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings.

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).