Nilsson, 25, failed to record a point in two games during his call-up. With Marcus Kruger set to return to the lineup on Saturday, Nilsson returns to the AHL where he has 14 points (6G / 8A) in 31 games.
Seabrook missed Friday’s practice because of an illness but will travel to Colorado for Saturday’s game. The Blackhawks are playing a bit better as of late but Seabrook has been held pointless with a minus-1 rating in his last five games.
Patrick is expected to miss the rest of the Flyers road-trip, which consists of three games in four days. Patrick was forced to leave Tuesday’s game in Tampa Bay after logging 7:03 TOI and did not return. Jordan Weal will replace him in the lineup on Saturday.
Hanzal is dealing with a lingering back issue which ruined his 2017-18 campaign. It looks like that could happen again in 2018-19 as he has no timetable for his return.
Dickinson is dealing with back spasms and is officially listed as day-to-day. His movement to IR is retroactive to December 22nd, so he can return to the active roster whenever he is healthy.
Carrick has been sidelined by a foot injury since October 28th but appears set to return to the blueline on Saturday. Carrick had four points (1G / 3A) and a minus-5 rating in his first nine games in Dallas.
Bayreuther appeared in 19 games during his call-up while the Stars blueline was decimated by injuries. The 24-year-old had five points (2G / 3A) during that time but returns to the AHL where has two goals and three assists in seven games.
Bobrovsky stopped all 39 shots that he faced in the Blue Jackets shutout win in New Jersey last Sunday. Bobrovsky is riding a four-game winning streak, having allowed just four goals on 134 shots (.970 SV%). The 30-year-old has been excellent as of late but he has a tough matchup with the Maple Leafs in town—he is 1-1-0 with a 2.53 GAA and .915 SV% in the first two meetings this season.
Sparks allowed four goals on 30 shots in the Maple Leafs come-from-behind overtime win vs. Detroit last Sunday. Sparks is now 5-1-1 despite a below-average 3.00 GAA and .908 SV% this season. He will have to be great tonight as he goes head-to-head with Sergei Bobrovsky but he catches a break with the Blue Jackets playing last night.
Marchand missed Friday’s practice with an upper-body injury and is not expected to play tomorrow. With Marchand out, Danton Heinen skated on the Bruins first line in practice.
McAvoy was banged up before the Christmas break, missed Thursday’s game vs. New Jersey and was moved to IR on Friday. His move to IR simply means that he won’t play on Saturday but is eligible to play in the Winter Classic.
Lehner allowed one goal on 20 shots in the Islanders win in Dallas last Sunday. Lehner has won two in a row while stopping 55 of 57 shots (.965 SV%). Tonight he has a good matchup with the Senators in town without their No.1 netminder. Lehner is 1-1-2 with a 2.17 GAA, .924 SV% and one shutout in just five appearances on home-ice this season.
Fiore has 11 points (6G / 5A) in 23 games with San Diego (AHL) this season. Fiore will report to Tucson (AHL). He did not record a point in his only career NHL games last season.
Murphy has registered five goals and eight assists (13 points) in 27 games with Tucson (AHL) this season. Murphy will report to San Diego (AHL). He has just three points (1G / 2A) in eight career NHL games.
McKenna allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Senators loss to the Islanders last Saturday. With Craig Anderson out, McKenna will make his fifth appearance of December. In his previous four outings, McKenna has gone 0-2-1 with a 2.96 GAA and .923 SV%. Tonight he will take on an Islanders team that is 8-5-3 on home-ice.
Luongo allowed one goal on 34 shots in the Panthers win in Detroit last Saturday. Luongo has won three of their last four (3-1-0) while posting a 2.36 GAA and .921 SV%. He will look to stay hot tonight against his hometown team. Luongo is 17-14-7 with a 2.35 GAA and. 926 SV% against Montreal in his 19-year career.
Niemi was yanked after allowed seven goals on 23 shots in the Canadiens 7-1 loss in Minnesota on December 11th. With Carey Price on IR with a lower-body injury, Niemi will start Friday in Florida. Niemi has lost each of his last three starts while allowing a combined 16 goals on 106 shots (.849 SV%). Tonight he takes on a Panthers team that has won four of their last five while averaging 3.60 goals for per game.
McKenna allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Senators loss to the Islanders last Saturday. With Craig Anderson out, McKenna will make his fifth appearance of December. In his previous four outings, McKenna has gone 0-2-1 with a 2.96 GAA and .923 SV%. Tonight he will take on an Islanders team that is 8-5-3 on home-ice.
Clutterbuck was hurt early in the Islanders’ game in Dallas last Sunday and will not play Friday vs. the Senators.
