NHL Player News

Copp (leg) will be a game-time decision versus Montreal on Thursday, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

Copp was injured March 10 in Florida and was supposed to be out at least two weeks. The center has eight goals, 37 points and 94 shots on goal over 65 games with the Red Wings this season. Should Copp return to the lineup, look for Sheldon Dries to be the odd-man out.

Vaakanainen (upper body) will not be in the lineup versus Columbus on Thursday, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.

Vaakanainen didn't make the trip to Columbus, but for now, he should be considered day-to-day. With the blueliner on the shelf, Connor Mackey or Vincent Iorio figures to step into the lineup for the Rangers on Thursday. For his part, the 27-year-old Vaakanainen has yet to score a goal in 33 outings this year while chipping in six assists.

Shesterkin will be between the visiting pipes in Columbus on Thursday, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.

Shesterkin saw his four-game winning streak come to an end Monday against Los Angeles, as he gave up three goals on 25 shots in a 3-2 loss. Shesterkin is 22-13-6 with a 2.50 GAA and a .913 save percentage over 42 appearances this season. The Blue Jackets are generating 3.15 goals per game, 14th in the NHL.

Laba (lower body) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Columbus, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.

Laba suffered a lower-body injury during Wednesday's game against the Devils, and he'll be unavailable for the second half of the back-to-back set. Jonny Brodzinski and Juuso Parssinen are candidates to enter the lineup Thursday, while Laba's next opportunity to suit up will be Sunday against the Jets.

Anderson (upper body) has been ruled out of Thursday's clash in Detroit, RDS.ca reports.

Anderson has 13 goals, nine assists, 112 hits and 52 PIM over 61 games this season. The 31-year-old should be considered day-to-day at this time. Look for Joe Veleno, or possibly Patrik Laine (abdomen) to enter the lineup in place of Anderson.

Swayman will start Thursday's home game against the Jets, Conor Ryan of The Boston Globe reports.

Swayman has been relatively solid this month, going 4-1-1 with a 1.96 GAA and .925 save percentage over six starts in March. He'll have a favorable matchup against the Jets, who are generating 2.84 goals per game this year, which is the ninth-lowest mark in the NHL.

Mackey was recalled from AHL Hartford on Thursday.

Mackey was sent to the minors in early February, but he'll rejoin the NHL club to provide additional depth after Urho Vaakanainen (upper body) exited Wednesday's game against the Devils. Mackey hasn't yet appeared in any games for the Rangers this year, but he's recorded five goals, 10 assists and 81 PIM over 52 appearances with Hartford.

Hayes was reassigned to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Thursday.

Hayes has been a healthy scratch for the Penguins' last two games, so the move to the minors shouldn't come as a surprise. It's possible the young winger could suit up for the Baby Pens versus AHL Belleville on Friday before being brought back up from the minors ahead of Saturday's clash with Winnipeg.

Gibson is expected to defend the home crease versus Montreal on Thursday, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

Gibson snapped a three-game winless streak Monday, turning aside 25 shots in a 5-2 victory over Calgary. The win boosted Gibson's record to 25-15-3 with a 2.56 GAA and a .906 save percentage across 45 games this season. He gave up five goals on 13 shots Opening Night to Montreal and then came back Jan. 10 to stop all 27 shots in a 4-0 whitewashing of the Canadiens.

Quick made 33 saves in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Devils.

The veteran netminder kept things close through two periods despite the fact that the Rangers were outshot 39-18, but Quick finally wilted in the third as he gave up three even-strength goals on 10 shots. Quick has coughed up at least five goals in three of his last five starts, and his only win in that stretch came in a shutout of the Flames on March 10. Despite the clean sheet, he's stumbled to a 3.45 GAA and .899 save percentage during that span.