NHL Hockey Player News

The 8-8-2 Capitals have fared far better with Logan Thompson between the pipes, but they will turn to Lindgren on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 31-year-old Lindgren opened the season with a dazzling 35-save shutout, but has fallen off since. He has a 3.59 GAA and .878 SV% in five games this season (1-3-1). Still, the Capitals enter Monday's contest as -120 home favorites against a red-hot Kings team riding a four-game winning streak.

Merzlikins has been under the weather and will return to the crease for the first time in 10 days, tending the twine on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has been serviceable this season, posting a 3.14 GAA and .908 SV% in seven games (4-3-0). Merzlikins has recorded a sub-.900 SV% in three straight seasons prior to this one.

For the fifth straight game, the front end of a back-to-back, the Blue Jackets will again turn to Greaves between the pipes. Greaves was excellent in his most recent game, saving 31 of 32 shots (.969 SV%), but fell short in a 2-1 shootout loss to the New York Rangers. The 24-year-old netminder has a 2.79 GAA and .904 SV% in 11 games this season (5-4-2). The Blue Jackets enter Monday's contest as -125 home favorites against a struggling Canadiens team riding a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).

With several Boston forwards dealing with injuries, Tufte has earned himself a call-up after a strong start in the AHL. The 27-year-old Tufte has 16 points (8G / 8A) in 13 games with the Providence Bruins (AHL) this season.

Blumel signed with the Bruins in the offseason, hoping he would have a shot of making the team's opening-night roster, but has has spend the first six weeks of the season in the AHL. With a myriad of injuries for the Bruins, Blumel could finally get his chance to suit up for Boston. The 25-year-old has 13 points (2G / 11A) in 13 games with Providence (AHL) this season.

Uvis Balinskis will draw back into Florida's lineup on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks, resulting in Sebrango being a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Sebrango has been an every-day player for the Panthers over the last two weeks, recording two points (0G / 2A) in nine games.

Donovan Sebrango will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Balinskis to re-enter the lineup. The 29-year-old Balinski has not played since October 28th. He has eight blocks, 10 hits, and zero points through nine games this season.

The 9-8-1 Panthers will likely turn to Bobrovsky on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 37-year-old Bobrovsky was serviceable in his most recent outing, saving 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%), but did not receive ample goal support, losing 3-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Bobrovsky has a 2.63 GAA and .893 SV% in 13 games this season (8-5-0). The Panthers enter Monday's contest as significant -282 home favorites against a Canucks team that erupted for five goals in the third period of their 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning last night.

The Sabres snapped a three-game losing skid in their most recent game and will hope for consecutive victories, likely turning to Ellis between the pipes against the Edmonton Oilers. The 25-year-old Ellis has been serviceable through three games in his NHL career (2-1-0), posting a 3.36 GAA and .895 SV%. The Sabres enter Monday's contest as +138 home underdogs against an Oilers team that has won three of their last four (3-1-0).

Carlo did not play in Toronto's previous game, and will be sidelined for at least a week after being placed on Injured Reserve retroactive to November 13th. The 28-year-old shutdown defenseman is averaging 20:04 time-on-ice, recording 34 blocks and two assists in 18 games this season.

The Canadiens have been outscored 15-3 during a three-game losing skid (0-3-0), and hope to return to the win column on Monday with Dobes tending the twine after the Columbus Blue Jackets. After an outstanding start to the season, winning his first six outings, Dobes has struggled, allowing nine goals on 41 combined shots (.780 SV%) in his last two games (0-1-1). The 24-year-old Czech goalie has a 2.70 GAA and .901 SV% in eight games this season (6-1-1). The Canadiens enter Monday's contest as +111 road underdogs against the Blue Jackets.