NHL Player News

Benak scored a goal and added three assists in OHL Brantford's 6-5 win over North Bay on Friday.

Benak has seven points over his last two outings to pick up the pace late in the season. He's up to 28 goals, 49 assists and a plus-23 rating through 47 appearances this season. Benak has had no trouble adjusting to the North American game and should help Brantford push for a deep playoff run.

Beckman recorded a 19-save shutout in QMJHL Chicoutimi's 1-0 overtime win over Quebec on Friday.

Beckman is up to six shutouts this season and improved to 16-15-3 with a 2.62 GAA and a .916 save percentage over 37 appearances. He's earned four of his shutouts in 14 outings with Chicoutimi after a midseason trade from Baie-Comeau. The Senators prospect is years away from being an NHL candidate, but he has looked good behind a strong team lately.

Vejmelka will not start at home Friday versus the Ducks, contrary to a previous report.

For the second time in less than a week, Vejmelka was incorrectly assumed to be the starter. The Mammoth will still start Vejmelka most of the time, but Vitek Vanecek will get the nod for the second half of a back-to-back after Vejmelka shut out the Golden Knights on Thursday. Expect Vejmelka to get back between the pipes Sunday versus the Kings.

Vanecek will start at home versus the Ducks on Friday.

Once again, Vanecek is getting the start after a previous report indicated it would be Karel Vejmelka. The gamesmanship from head coach Andre Tourigny continues to frustrate fantasy managers, but Vanecek has been steady lately, allowing just six goals on 72 shots over his last three games.

Soderblom will protect the home goal in Friday's game versus the Avalanche, Mark Lazerus of The Athletic reports.

Soderblom has a brutal matchup in the second half of a back-to-back after Spencer Knight defeated the Wild on Thursday. This will be Soderblom's first appearance since March 8, when he lost in overtime to the Stars after giving up four goals on 31 shots.

Crevier (undisclosed) won't be in the lineup Friday versus the Avalanche, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Crevier was apparently injured versus the Wild on Thursday, though he's not expected to miss much time. The 24-year-old defenseman's absence will force the Blackhawks to go back to six blueliners Friday, with forwards Dominic Toninato and Sam Lafferty entering the lineup to cover Crevier and Andrew Mangiapane's (undisclosed) absences.

Mangiapane (undisclosed) won't play Friday versus the Avalanche, Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Mangiapane reportedly got banged up in Thursday's game versus the Wild. The 29-year-old will likely give way to Dominic Toninato and Sam Lafferty, with the Blackhawks going back to 12 forwards and six defensemen since Louis Crevier (undisclosed) is also ailing. Mangiapane's injury is considered short-term for now.

Samoskevich (undisclosed) won't play Friday versus the Flames, Doug Plagens of the Panthers Radio Network reports.

Samoskevich and Anton Lundell (undisclosed) both ended up banged up after Thursday's game versus the Oilers. The Panthers are taking extreme caution with all injuries down the stretch, so Samoskevich won't be rushed back. His next chance to play is Tuesday versus the Kraken.

Lundell (undisclosed) will not play Friday versus the Flames, Doug Plagens of the Panthers Radio Network reports.

The Panthers have been taking an extremely cautious approach with all injuries since their playoff hopes are toast. Lundell is day-to-day and may benefit from the rest before Tuesday's game versus the Kraken.

Tarasov will guard the road goal versus the Flames on Friday, Doug Plagens of the Panthers Radio Network reports.

Tarasov will get the second half of a back-to-back after Sergei Bobrovsky shut out the Oilers on Thursday. The Panthers have alternated goalies for most of March, though this will be Tarasov's first outing in three games, so he's still in the backup role. It's an easy matchup, but the back-to-back factor could add some difficulty for Tarasov.