NHL Hockey Player News

In a pivotal game that could decide the winner of the Atlantic Division, Tampa Bay will turn to Vasilevskiy on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 31-year-old Vasilevskiy was excellent in his previous outing, saving 21 of 22 shots (.955 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins. He has battled some inconsistencies this season, but has a solid 2.03 GAA and .916 SV% in his last four games (3-1-0). Tampa Bay enters Monday's contest as -116 road favourites against a Buffalo team that has been outscored 10-3 in its last two games (0-2-0).

Sabourin was playing regularly for Tampa Bay towards the end of March, but he has missed two straight due to an undisclosed injury, and his status for Monday's game against the Buffalo Sabres is uncertain. The 33-year-old Sabourin has four points (1G / 3A) and 89 penalty minutes in 22 games this season.

Hagel has been sidelined for two games due to an undisclosed injury and will remain out of the lineup on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres. Details about Hagel's injury are unclear, but with only six games remaining in the season, Tampa Bay is likely taking a cautious approach towards his recovery.

A disappointing couple of weeks for Seattle has effectively put them out of contention for a playoff spot, but they have received adequate netminding from Grubauer, who will likely return to the crease on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 34-year-old German goalie saved 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. He has a 2.80 GAA and .906 SV% in his last six games (2-3-1), and is far and away having his best season with Seattle. The Kraken enter Monday's contest as +148 road underdogs against a Jets team that is 3-1-0 in their last four games.

Barron has been a key bottom-six forward for the Jets this season, but is battling a lower-body injury that could effectively sideline him for the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old Barron is averaging 12:48 time-on-ice and has 23 points (11G / 12A) in 65 games this season.

Zach Metsa will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Schenn to re-enter the lineup. The 36-year-old Schenn has not played in over three weeks and has only played two games with the Sabres since being acquired at the trade deadline.

Luke Schenn will draw back into Buffalo's lineup on Monday, sending Metsa to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Metsa, in his first NHL season, is averaging 10:40 time-on-ice and has six points (2G / 4A) in 41 games.

Gaucher was recalled last week and made his NHL debut, but failed to score a point in three games. The 22-year-old Gaucher was drafted 22nd-overall by the Ducks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He has 26 points (12G / 14A) in 57 games this season with the San Diego Dulls (AHL).

For the first four weeks following the Olympic break, the Sabres had an equal goalie rotation, but with Alex Lyon struggling in recent games, the team will turn to Luukkonen for his fourth start in their last five games. The 27-year-old Luukkonen was solid in his most recent outing, saving 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%), but did not receive enough goal support in an eventual 4-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Since returning from the Olympic break, Luukkonen is boasting an impressive 2.30 GAA and .921 SV% in 11 games (8-2-1). The Sabres enter Monday's contest as +105 home underdogs against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a must-win game if they have any intentions of winning the Atlantic Division.

The Jets remain within reach of the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, but with only six games remaining, they will need Hellebuyck to be at his best to give them any hope. After winning consecutive Vezina Trophies, Hellebuyck has had a disappointing 2025-26 season, but he has played better in recent outings. The 32-year-old goalie has won four of his last six (4-2-0), posting a solid 2.18 GAA and .909 SV%. The Jets enter Monday's contest as -167 home favourites against a Seattle Kraken team that has free-fallen out of the playoff race with a 2-6-2 record in their last 10 games.