Lundestrom was this summer’s No.23 overall pick and started the year in Anaheim. The 19-year-old has just two assists in 15 games before being sent to San Diego (AHL) where he collected just six assists in 12 games. Lundestrom had two goals in seven games while representing Sweden at the World Juniors last year.
Howard was scheduled to start on Tuesday but was forced to sit after his back “locked up” during warmups. However, Howard was feeling much better in practice on Wednesday and believes he will be available to backup Jonathan Bernier in Carolina on Thursday.
Bernier surrendered three goals on 33 shots in the Red Wings loss in Philadelphia on Tuesday. With Jimmy Howard still battling a sore back, Bernier will start for the third straight game. Bernier has lost four straight starts while posting a 2.79 GAA and .908 SV%. Tonight he faces a Hurricanes team that has lost six of their last eight games (2-4-2) while averaging 2.63 goals for per game.
With Max Pacioretty going on IR, Pirri will get another shot with Vegas. The 27-year-old has been absolutely dominant in the AHL this season, leading all players in points (41) while ranking second in goals (17). Pirri could replace Pacioretty and skate in the top-6 immediately.
Pacioretty was forced to leave Monday’s game in Columbus with an undisclosed injury and was moved to IR on Wednesday. Brandon Pirri was recalled from the AHL to take Pacioretty’s spot on the roster.
Kovalchuk was originally expected to miss four weeks bu will return less than three weeks after undergoing a procedure on his ankle. Kovalchuk’s return to the NHL got off to a nice start, scoring five goals and nine assists (14 points) in his first 14 games but went pointless in 11 games before getting hurt.
Toews has registered five goals and 14 assists (19 points) in 24 games with Bridgeport this season. Over the last three years, Toews has 18 goals and 68 assists (86 points) in 130 games. He comes up with Thomas Hickey on IR and could make his NHL debut on Thursday.
Hickey missed Tuesday’s game in Arizona and was placed on IR on Wednesday, which rules him out for at least the next two games. He will be eligible to come off of IR and play next Friday after the Christmas break.
Klingberg has been out since November 8th but is set to return to the Stars lineup tomorrow. Klingberg has registered 13 points (5G / 8A) in 16 games with the Stars prior to getting hurt. Klingberg will be back on a pair with Esa Lindell and on the top power-play against the Blackhawks.
Andersen allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Maple Leafs win in New Jersey on Tuesday. Andersen snapped a brief two-game losing streak for Andersen, who is 4-2-1 with a 3.34 GAA and .897 SV%. It’s a bit of a tough month for the 29-year-old netminder, who faces the Panthers for the second time in a week—he allowed four goals on 33 shots in a 4-3 OT loss in Florida last Saturday.
