Staal was slammed into the boards by Alexei Emelin on Saturday after left the game and did not return. Head coach Alain Vigneault did not have an update on Staal’s status on Sunday, so monitor his status during today’s morning skate.
Vesey left Saturday’s game after being hit by Filip Forsberg, a play that resulted in an injury for Vesey and a three-game suspension for Forsberg. Vesey has been ruled out for Monday’s game in Dallas and is expected to be replaced by Vinni Lettieri. Monitor Vesey’s status heading into Wednesday’s game vs. the Bruins.
Forsberg was suspended for delivering a “late, high hit causing injury” according to the Department of Player Safety. Forsberg is not eligible to play until Saturday in Montreal.
Methot has been out since January 4th but is looks like he’ll be back after a few more practices. Methot is still looking for his first point with the Stars after being held pointless in his first 16 games of 2017-18.
Hanzal has missed the last five games with a muscle strain but practiced on Sunday and is officially listed as a game-time decision vs. the Rangers. Hanzal has had a hard time with injuries this season and has picked up just eight points (4G / 4A) in 33 games.
Bishop allowed three goals on 42 shots in the Stars loss to the Kings last Tuesday. He ended up missing Saturday’s game after being hit in the face on the bench during Thursday’s game, but the swelling has gone down and he’s ready-to-go Monday. Bishop came out of January at 4-4-1 with a 2.22 GAA and .927 SV% in nine starts.
Lack has gone 1-2-2 with a 2.14 GAA and .915 SV% in five games with Binghamton since being acquired from the Flames. He’s been called up but it is unlikely he gets a start with the Devils.
The Devils don’t have a back-to-back until Saturday and Sunday and by then Cory Schneider might be ready to play, so Eddie Lack takes Appleby’s spot on the roster but likely to serve as a full-time backup. Appleby returns to the AHL, where he has gone 5-8-1 with a 3.21 GAA and .888 SV%.
Jarry got some playing time in the AHL while Casey DeSmith was playing well with the Penguins but has been brought back up to be Matt Murray’s backup. Jarry has gone 6-2-0 with a 2.60 GAA and .914 SV% in eight AHL games this season. He’s been equally impressive in the NHL, going 9-4-2 with a 2.44 GAA and .919 SV%.
DeSmith had an impressive run with the Penguins, winning three of his last five starts with a 2.03 GAA and .939 SV%. However, with Matt Murray back the Penguins likely want DeSmith to get some playing time so they’ve swapped him with Tristan Jarry, who has been getting playing time in the AHL for the last few weeks.
Lettieri, 22, has been called up with Jimmy Vesey dealing with an upper-body injury. Lettieri has four points (1G / 3A) in 10 games with the Rangers this season and 23 points (14G / 9A) in 35 games with the Wolf Pack.
