With Niklas Hjalmarsson hurt and Adam Clendening on waivers, Mermis comes up to make his NHL debut tonight vs. the Sabres. Mermis has registered one goal and two assists in seven games with Tucson (AHL) so far this season.
Duclair has been a healthy scratch for the last two games, but will get back into the lineup tonight vs. the Sabres. Duclair has had a tough start to the season, recording just five points (3G / 2A) in 11 games this season.
Polak had one assist in four games since signing with the Maple Leafs, but was a healthy scratch on Wednesday. He will draw back into the lineup tonight, replacing Connor Carrick.
Kapanen played just 7:31 TOI in his season debut with the Maple Leafs and will replace Josh Leivo in the lineup tonight and play with Nazem Kadri and Leo Komarov.
Carrick drew into the lineup on Wednesday after being a healthy scratch for the four previous games. Carrick will come out again tonight with Roman Polak drawing into the lineup.
Leivo has been a healthy scratch for the majority of the season, but has appeared in two of the last three games, recording one assist. Leivo will be scratched in favour of Kasper Kapanen.
Raanta was brought over this summer via trade and his Coyotes career has gotten off to a rocky start. He has allowed five goals on 56 shots (.911 SV%) with one great outing, one terrible start and then got injured in his third. Tonight he makes his first start since October 12th and it will be his first of many if he can stay healthy.
Lehner allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Sabres’ loss to the Sharks on last Saturday. With four days of rest, the Sabres will go back to Lehner tonight in Arizona. He has put up average numbers so far (2.78 GAA / .911 SV%) but has a great matchup against the NHL’s worst team through the first month.
Raanta has been sidelined since October 12th, but it looks like he will make his return to the Coyotes crease tonight vs. the Sabres. In his first three appearances with the Coyotes, Raanta has allowed five goals on 56 shots (.911 SV%). Keep and eye on if he starts tonight or if he returns in a background capacity.
Reimer was pulled after allowing five goals on 19 shots in the Panthers 8-5 loss to the Lightning on Monday. Reimer is not the first goalie to be victimized by the Lightning this season, but he has now lost three of his last four starts while allowing a combined 15 goals on 128 shots (.883 SV%). Things do not get any easier for him tonight with the Blue Jackets in town.
Ward allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Hurricanes’ loss to St. Louis last Friday. Ward has made just two starts this season, but he has played extremely well in both games—stopping 80 of the 85 shots (.941 SV%) that he has faced thus far. Tonight he makes for a nice spot-start against an Avalanche team that has lost four of their last six.
Ward allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Hurricanes’ loss to St. Louis last Friday. Ward has made just two starts this season, but he has played extremely well in both games—stopping 80 of the 85 shots (.941 SV%) that he has faced thus far. Tonight he makes for a nice spot-start against an Avalanche team that has lost four of their last six.
Shaw missed Wednesday’s practice, but will be in the lineup tonight vs. the Wild. Shaw has registered just four assists with 29 shots on goal in 12 games so far in 2017-18.
Smith made 30 saves on 31 shots in the Flames win over the Capitals on Sunday. After losing three of four, Smith turned in another great outing, moving his GAA to 2.31 while posting a .931 SV% in 11 October appearances. He faces an 8-5-1 Penguins team that is averaging 2.79 goals for per game so far.
Nielsen was held off of the ice for the Red Wings’ morning skate, but could play tonight in Ottawa. Nielsen has had a slow start to the season, recording four goals on 25 shots in 14 games.
Turris has missed the last three games with a viral infection, but gets back in tonight vs. the Red Wings. Turris has just three goals and five assists (eight points) in nine games so far this season.
Phaneuf was held off of the ice this morning, but will be in the lineup against the Red Wings. Phaneuf has registered three goals and three assists (six points) in 12 games so far this season.
Ritchie, who has recorded just one goal and one assist in 12 games so far this season, will miss tonight’s contest in Winnipeg which leaves him as questionable at best for Saturday’s home game vs. the Sabres.
Beleskey has been a healthy scratch for the lsat three games, but will draw back into the lineup tonight vs. the Golden Knights. He has no points with seven shots in six games so far this season.
Backes has already been ruled out for eight weeks, so his move to IR simply opens up a roster spot for the Bruins to recall Austin Czarnik from Providence (AHL).
