The Maple Leafs already announced that Matthews would miss 7-to-10 days and his move to the IR simply opens up a roster spot for Tomas Plekanec, who they traded for on Sunday afternoon. Monitor Matthews’ status as we head into next weekend.
Jones allowed two goals on 35 shots in the Sharks loss in Chicago on Friday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Jones, who has won four of his last six with a 1.83 GAA and .943 SV%. In his first start against the Wild, Jones allowed four goals on 24 shots in a 4-3 OT loss.
Letestu had a career-year in Edmonton last season, but has not been quite as productive in 2017-18. With the Oilers surprisingly out of the playoff race Letestu heads back to Columbus, where he played from 2012-to-2015. Letestu will play a bottom-6 role but should also see some power-play time, like he did in Edmonton.
Aberg was a second-round pick in 2012 and has collected 10 points (3G / 7A) in 52 games with the Predators. He hasn’t quite emerged in the NHL but has been excellent in the AHL—he has 35 goals and 23 assists (58 points) in his last 60 AHL games. He will likely immediately step into the Oilers lineup.
Rychel is now on his third NHL team since being drafted No.19 overall in 2013 by the Blue Jackets. Rychel has picked up 30 points (10G / 20A) in 55 games with the Marlies (AHL) this season and will report to the Laval Rocket.
Valiev was a third round pick of the Maple Leafs (No.68 overall) in 2014. The 22-year-old defenseman has picked up five goals and 10 assists (15 points) in 40 games with the Marlies this season.
Baun was an undrafted free agent that signed in the NHL after three years at Colgate University. The 25-year-old winger had four goals and 12 assists (16 points) in 54 games in his first season with Laval (AHL).
Plekanec was primarily brought in to replace Dominic Moore on the Maple Leafs’ fourth line, but he is also a player that can move up and down the lineup, especially while Auston Matthews is out. The 35-year-old has played against the Maple Leafs in Montreal for 13 seasons and comes to Toronto with six goals and 18 assists (24 points) in 60 games this year.
Rinne allowed one goal on 34 shots in the Predators win over the Sharks on Thursday. Rinne has won four of his last five starts while posting a 2.38 GAA and .934 SV%. He’ll look to stay hot against the Blues, who he has gone 3-0-0 with a 1.33 GAA and .958 SV% against this season.
Lundqvist allowed seven goals on 37 shots in the Rangers loss to the Flyers last Sunday. Lundqvist has lost his last four starts with a 4.77 GAA and .859 SV%. With Alexandar Georgiev starting the last two games, Lundqvist should be well rest for tonight’s game against a Red Wings team on the tail-end of a back-to-back.
Allen allowed four goals on 23 shots in the Blues loss to Winnipeg on Friday. Allen has now lost three in a row while allowing nine goals on just 61 shots (.853 SV%). It has been a mostly tough campaign for Allen, who has gone 9-9-2 with a 2.77 GAA and .910 SV% on the road. He’s an especially risky start in Nashville.
Bergeron was seen wearing a walking book on his right leg following Saturday’s loss to the Maple Leafs. A walking boot can often indicate a lengthy injury absence, but the fact that he is considered a game-time decision suggests that he may not be out as long as originally feared.
Lindgren was a second round pick of the Bruins (No.49 overall) in 2016 and has picked up seven points (2G / 5A) in 33 games in his second-year at the University of Minnesota.
Beleskey has an ugly contract, with two years remaining at a $3.8M AAV cap-hit. The Bruins will retain 50% of that contact but it remains to be seen if he will join the Rangers or the Wolf Pack. He had no points in 14 games with the Bruins before being placed on waivers and sent to Providence (AHL) were he had just four goals and two assists (six points) in 21 games.
Spooner had a breakout campaign in 2015-16, collecting 13 goals and 36 assists (49 points) in 80 games but has struggled since then, especially in 2017-18. The 26-year-old will look to get his career back on track in New York after picking up just 25 points (9G / 16A) in 39 games with the Bruins this season. He could make his Rangers debut on Sunday.
Nash, 33, has picked up 18 goals and 10 assists (28 points) in 60 games with the Rangers this season. Nash, who is in the final year of his eight-year contract, is expected to make his Bruins debut right away as he is en route to Buffalo for this afternoon’s game. The Rangers will retain 50% of Nash’s salary.
