Johansson has been battling injuries all season-long, only appearing in 15 of the Devils’ first 33 games. Most recently he has missed the last four games with an ankle injury but will draw back in tonight. Johansson has four goals and three assists (seven points).
Seidenberg was in the Islanders lineup on Tuesday but will be replaced by Thomas Hickey tonight vs. the Ducks.
Despite being activated from IR prior to Tuesday's game vs. the Red Wings, Hickey sat as a healthy scratch but will draw in for Dennis Seidenberg tonight. Hickey has one goal and four assists (five points) in 21 games this season.
Beauvillier was in the lineup for the last two games but will be a healthy scratch for the second time in four games tonight. Beauvillier, who has not recorded a point in his last eight games, will be replaced by Shane Prince.
Prince missed the start of the season with an ankle injury but picked up two assists in four games during a conditioning stint with Bridgeport (AHL). He will replace Anthony Beauvillier in the lineup and will likely play on the third line.
Halak allowed four goals on 20 shots in the Islanders loss to the Stars last Wednesday. Thomas Greiss went on to start the last three games but they will go back to Halak tonight vs. Anaheim. In Halak’s fist start against the Ducks, he allowed three goals on 30 shots in a 3-2 loss in early-October.
Head coach Glen Gulutzan said they took Hamonic out of the game as a precaution so it doesn’t sound like his injury is overly serious. The Flames have not ruled Hamonic out for Friday’s game so monitor his status over the next couple of days.
Glendening blocked a shot off of his hand in the first period of Wednesday’s loss to the Flyers. Glendening originally stayed on the bench but didn’t return for the second period and head coach Jeff Blashill did not have a time frame for Glendening’s return.
Lundqvist allowed one goal on 40 shots in the Rangers win over the Ducks on Tuesday. Lundqvist has been excellent in his last three starts, going 3-0-0 while allowing just five goals on 110 shots (.955 SV%). In his first start against the Devils, Lundqvist allowed two goals on 28 shots in a 5-2 win earlier this month.
Senators head coach Guy Boucher said Phaneuf is away from the team and may or may not play on Thursday. Andreas Englund was recalled from Belleville (AHL) this morning which suggests that Phaneuf won't be available, but monitor the defenseman's status leading up to puck-drop.
Englund has picked up just four assists in 29 games with Belleville this season. He has no points in five career NHL games and he could make his season Dion Phaneuf not with the team because of a personal matter.
Anderson surrendered six goals on 40 shots in the Senators loss to Minnesota on Tuesday. The loss snapped a brief two-game winning streak for Anderson, who has gone 2-3-0 with a 3.35 GAA and .906 SV% in December. He will be in tough tonight against the high-scoring Lightning, who come in having won seven of their last eight games.
Varlamov allowed two goals on 32 shots in Colorado’s win over the Penguins on Monday. Varlamov has won three of his last four starts while posting a 2.50 GAA and .925 SV%. The Avalanche offence has picked up this month, giving Varlamov a better chance at collecting wins, but they’ll be in tough tonight in Los Angles.
Howard stopped 25 of 26 shots in the Red Wings win over the Maple Leafs last Friday. The win snapped a three-game losing skid for Howard, who is 2-1-2 with 2.34 GAA and .911 SV% in his last five starts. After a strong performance from Petr Mrazek last night, Howard is expected to go tonight in Philly—he is 4-3-1 with a 2.63 GAA and .921 SV% on the road this season.
