NHL Hockey Player News

Hurricanes Head Coach Rod Brind'Amour started Brandon Bussi in the first two games of the season, but has leaned more heavily on Kochetkov in recent games. The 27-year-old goalie returns to the crease on Tuesday for his eighth start in Carolina's last 11 games and, deservedly, after posting a tremendous undefeated 7-0-0 record with a 1.70 GAA and .916 SV%. He recorded his first shutout of the season in his most recent outing, saving 24 shots in a 4-0 win over the St. Louis Blues. The Hurricanes enter Tuesday's contest as -185 home favourites against a 9-2-1 Boston Bruins team.

York has not played in nearly three weeks due to an upper-body injury, but he will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 25-year-old defenseman is averaging 21:49 time-on-ice and has a -6 plus/minus in five games this season.

After allowing 15 goals on 105 shots (.857 SV%) in his first three games (0-3-0), Vladar has rebounded in recent games and hopes to continue the upward trend on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 29-year-old Czech goalie has allowed two or fewer goals in three straight games (2-0-1), saving 81 of 85 combined shots (.953 SV%). The Flyers enter Tuesday's game as slight +109 home underdogs against a Blue Jackets team coming off a 2-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights.

Toronto lost another top-six forward on Monday after Kirill Marchenko left their game vs. Calgary with a lower-body injury. Marchenko's first 14 games in Toronto have gone very well, with the 26-year-old winger averaging a point per game with six goals and 14 points.

The Maple Leafs are riding a four-game winning streak while rotating goalies, and they'll continue the trend on Monday, with Bobrovsky tending the twine against the Calgary Flames. Bobrovsky hasn't been spectacular early in his Maple Leafs tenure and has been largely outplayed by counterpart Anthony Stolarz. The 38-year-old Bobrovsky has a 3.10 GAA and .895 SV% in eight games (3-3-2). The Maple Leafs enter Monday's action as -143 road favourites against a Flames team coming off a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings, extending their winning streak to three games.

The Kings have the league's worst offence, with only 21 goals in nine games, leaving little room for error between the pipes. That said, Kuemper has been sensational recently, saving 71 of 75 shots (.947 SV%) in his last two games (2-0-0). The 36-year-old goalie had a forgetful season debut, allowing eight goals on 29 shots (.724 SV%) in an 8-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, but has been solid since, posting a 2.52 GAA and .924 SV% in his last five games (2-2-1). The Kings enter Monday's contest as +117 road underdogs against a New York Rangers team that has lost four of their last five (1-3-1).

Brind'Amour played two games for the Hurricanes this season, but will head back to the AHL. The 27-year-old forward has three points (2G / 1A) this season in six games with the Chicago Wolves (AHL).

Kulich (concussion) left practice on Friday and did not join Buffalo on their road trip. The 22-year-old Czech forward, has three points (1G / 2A) in eight games.