Drouin left last night’s win vs. the Senators with a lower-body ailment and it will force him to miss at least tonight’s game vs. Detroit, but his status for Saturday’s home game remains up in the air. This is a tough break for the Habs, who have won three in a row and appeared to be getting back on track. Drouin leads the team with 17 points (5G / 12A) in 25 games this season.
Holtby allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Capitals’ win in Toronto last Saturday. After four days off, Holtby will draw back into the Capitals crease for his 19th start of the season tonight vs. the Kings. Holtby has won three of his last four starts while posting a 2.27 GAA and .931 SV%.
The Ducks have good D-depth but were extremely thin up front, so moving Vatanen helps balance things out for them. Vatanen, who missed the start of the season with a shoulder injury has picked up four points (1G / 3A) in 15 games. He will likely play a huge role on the Devils’ blueline, including likely anchoring their top power-play unit. He will no longer have to fight for PP time with Cam Fowler or Brandon Montour.
Blandisi was a sixth round pick (No.162 in 2012) but has turned into a quality pro forward since. Blandisi has picked up 26 points (8G / 18A)in 68 career NHL games with the Devils and should immediately report to the Ducks to help their forward depth. Blandisi has recorded three goals and 11 assists (14 points) in 19 games with Binghamton (AHL) this year.
The Ducks are extremely thin at centre with Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler both sidelined with injuries, so adding Henrique will help them down the middle immediately. Henrique is two years removed from 30 goals and 20 assists (50 points) and has registered four goals and 10 assists (14 points) in 24 games this season. He was averaging 18:15 TOI/GM with the Devils and could see even more playing time in Anaheim while Getzlaf and Kesler are out. He is an interesting waiver add as he should see top line minutes alongside Corey Perry and should see plenty of PP time as well.
Hellebuyck allowed two goals on 19 shots in the Jets’ win over the Wild on Monday. It was an easy night for Hellebuyck, who has now won 13 of his 17 starts this season, while posting a 2.31 GAA and .927 SV%. He has a solid matchup tonight vs. the Avalanche and comes in at 5-2-1 with a 2.41 GAA and .926 SV% on the road this season.
Gibson was pulled after he allowed four goals on 22 shots in the Ducks’ loss in Chicago on Monday. It was an ugly outing for bison, who has now lost three straight while allowing a combined 11 goals on 106 shots (.896 SV%). He draws one of the toughest matchups tonight in St. Louis—he is 2-2-0 with a 4.07 GAA and .885 SV% on the road.
Spurgeon won’t play Wednesday vs. the Golden Knights or Saturday vs. the Blues as the Wild wait to see if his groin strain is a day-to-day thing or more of a week-to-week injury. With Spurgeon out, look for Ryan Murphy to remain in the lineup for the time being.
Martel failed to record a point in four games with the Flyers, so he returns to the Phantoms where he has 14 goals and five assists (19 points) in 17 contests. His return to the AHL suggests that Jordan Weal will be back in the lineup on Saturday--but it could also simply be a paper transaction since the Flyers have three days off.
