NHL Hockey Player News

David Rittich was excellent in New York's 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, but Head Coach Patrick Roy already announced earlier in the week that Sorokin would start on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The Islanders have been impressive lately, winning five of their last six (5-1-0), and have received better goaltending from Ilya Sorokin after a poor start to the season. The 30-year-old Sorokin has a 2.15 GAA and .927 SV% in five November games (3-1-1) and posted an ugly 3.40 GAA and .877 SV% in October (3-4-1).

The Islanders are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, snapping their four-game winning streak, and hope to return to the win column on Tuesday as Rittich tends the twine against the Dallas Stars. The 33-year-old Czech goalie was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime win over the Utah Mammoth. Rittich has a 3.15 GAA and .893 SV% in six games (4-2-0). The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as +144 road underdogs against an impressive Stars team that has points in 12 of their last 13 games (9-1-3).

Minnesota drafted Wallstedt 20th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and eagerly hoped his skill would develop at the NHL level. In recent weeks, Wallstedt has done just that, earning more playing time, and will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 23-year-old Wallstedt has been excellent lately, posting an absurd 0.70 GAA and .978 SV% in his last three games (3-0-0) and is currently riding a two-game shutout streak. He has a 2.10 GAA and .924 SV% in six games this season (4-0-2). Still, Minnesota enters Wednesday's contest as +147 home underdogs against a Carolina team that defeated them 4-3 earlier this month.

Tarasenko has missed Minnesota's previous two games due to an undisclosed injury, but could be an option on Wednesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 33-year-old Tarasenko, in his first season with Minnesota, has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 18 games.

Hartman exited Sunday's 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period and did not return. The 31-year-old forward will be out week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Before his injury, Hartman recorded seven points (4G / 3A) and 19 hits in 20 games this season.

The Islanders are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, snapping their four-game winning streak, and hope to return to the win column on Tuesday as Rittich tends the twine against the Dallas Stars. The 33-year-old Czech goalie was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime win over the Utah Mammoth. Rittich has a 3.15 GAA and .893 SV% in six games (4-2-0). The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as +144 road underdogs against an impressive Stars team that has points in 12 of their last 13 games (9-1-3).

Holmstrom had a breakout 2024-25 season, scoring 45 points (20G / 25A) in 75 games, and is producing at a similar, albeit slightly lower rate, in 2025-26, with nine points (4G / 5A) through 19 games. He is currently battling an illness and his status for Tuesday's game against the Dallas Stars is uncertain.

The Blues' disappointing season continues on Tuesday when they turn to Binnington against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Binnington allowed five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in a 6-5 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in his most recent outing, par for the course for the 32-year-old netminder that is sporting an ugly 3.34 GAA and .869 SV% through 13 games (4-5-3). That said, Binnington was exceptional against the Maple Leafs season, posting a 1.50 GAA and .962 SV% in two games (2-0-0). The Blue enter the action as slight +105 road underdogs against a Maple Leafs team on a five-game losing skid (0-4-1).

The Flames have had a brutal start to the 2025-25 season, last in the NHL with 13 points through 20 games (5-12-3), but have started to receive more consistent netminding from Dustin Wolf. The 24-year-old Wolf has a solid 2.00 GAA and .925 SV% in his last six games (3-2-1). He has a 3.01 GAA and .896 SV% in 17 games this season (5-10-2). The Flames enter Tuesday's contest as -116 road underdogs against a Blackhawks team that is 4-2-2 at home.

For the first time this season, Rinzel was a healthy scratch, but he will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames. The 21-year-old defenseman started the season on the team's top powerplay unit, a role which has since been taken over by Artyom Levshunov.

McAvoy exited Boston's 3-2 win over Montreal on Saturday after only 13:41 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury and has not played since. The 27-year-old defenseman is still being evaluated, but there are some concerns that this could be a longer-term injury. He has 14 points (0G / 14A) through 19 games this season.

With an injury to Ilya Lyubushkin (undisclosed), Dallas has recalled Kolyachonok from Texas (AHL). The 24-year-old Kolyachonok was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in the offseason. He has 14 points (4G / 10A) in 74 career NHL games and will make his Stars debut on Tuesday.

Lyubushkin is battling an undisclosed injury and will not play on Tuesday's against the Islanders. The 31-year-old Lyubushkin has spent most of the season playing alongside Thomas Harley, who is also sidelined week-to-week due to an injury. Vladislav Kolyachonok will draw into the lineup as Lyubushkin's replacement.

Benn suffered a collapsed lung after a hit during a preseason game and will make his season debut on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. The 36-year-old is entering his 17th NHL season and has only missed two games across the previous four years. In 2024-25, he had 16 goals, 49 points and 70 PIMs in 80 games played. He is expected to start the season on the Stars' fourth line and second powerplay unit.

Dillon is battling an undisclosed injury, but was able to practice on Monday, and could be in the lineup on Tuesday. The 35-year-old defenseman is averaging 19:13 time-on-ice, recording 33 blocks, 49 hits, and seven points (2G / 5A) in 18 games this season.

Dadonov has not played since suffering a hand injury in the first game of the season, but appears to be nearing a return. Before his injury, Dadonov was playing on the top line alongside Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, but with Hughes sidelined for several weeks, it's unclear if Dadonov will regain top-six deployment.

Brown played the first 11 games for the Devils this season, but has not played since. The 31-year-old Brown is averaging 15:47 time-on-ice and has six points (5G / 1A) in 11 games this season.

Hamilton has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury on November 6th, but appears to be nearing an imminent return. The 32-year-old Hamilton is averaging 20:59 time-on-ice and has seven points (4G / 3A) in 14 games this season. Hamilton will likely return to his role on the top powerplay unit when he returns, a spot that was occupied by Simon Nemec in his absence.

Luca Del Bel Belluz will return to the Blue Jackets lineup on Tuesday, sending Chinakhov to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Chinakhov has four points (2G / 2A) in 14 games and has been held off the scoresheet in eight straight.

Belluz was drafted 44th-overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and was a healthy scratch in the Blue Jackets' most recent contest after playing in five straight. The 21-year-old forward was productive in a brief 15-game stint with the Blue Jackets last season, scoring eight points (2G / 6A). Yegor Chinakhov will serve as a healthy scratch.