van Riemsdyk has been out since October 6th and is just two and a half weeks into a 5-to-6 week timetable. Returning to the ice is an important step in the right direction for JVR, who could be back in early-November if everything goes well.
Quick allowed four goals on 25 shots in the Kings loss to the Sabres on Saturday. Quick has been roughed up in his first two starts since returning from injury, allowing a combined 10 goals on 54 shots (.815 SV%). Things won’t get any easier tonight vs. the Stars, who are great on home-ice and rank fifth in the NHL in shots-per game (34.4).
Murray stopped all 38 shots that he faced in the Penguins shutout win in Toronto last Thursday. It was a shocking shutout for Murray, who had allowed a combined 11 goals in his first two starts. Tonight he will face an Oilers team, that is great when Connor McDavid is on the ice, but not so much when he’s not.
Archibald has had a surprisingly strong start to the season with the Comets, scoring four goals with two assists (six points) in eight games. Archibald was recalled because Brock Boeser suffered a lower-body injury on Monday.
Boeser’s injury is terrible news for the Canucks. Vancouver recalled Darren Archibald from the AHL, which suggests that Boeser could miss their upcoming back-to-back (Wed. @ VGK/Thu. @ ARI). With Boeser not on the ice, Brendan Leipsic was skating on Vancouver’s top line on Tuesday.
Johns has missed the first seven games of the season, but could make his return to the lineup this weekend. The 26-year-old will likely replace either Roman Polak or Julius Honka and is coming off of a 2017-18 season where he had 15 points (8G / 7A) in 75 games.
Johnson has split the early part of the season between the NHL and AHL. The 24-year-old forward had no points in three games with the Blackhawks but picked up two points (1G / 1A) in two games with the IceHogs.
With Corey Crawford back for the Blackhawks, they have sent Forsberg back to the AHL, where he was 27-17-2 with a 2.28 GAA, .926 SV% and four shutouts in his last stint.
Gravel was called up after picking up one assist in four games with Bakersfield (AHL) and tonight he will replace Jason Garrison on the blueline. The former King has just 10 points (1G / 9A) in 70 career NHL games.
Marody was recalled on Monday after scoring two goals with four assists (six points) in his first five games with Bakersfield (AHL). The 21-year-old brings some additional offence to the Oilers’ bottom-6 that is devoid of talented wingers.
Garrison has no points and has played very little (9:32 TOI/GM) when he’s drawn into the Oilers lineup. Tonight he will be replaced by Kevin Gravel, who makes his Oilers debut.
Khaira is coming off of a tough game vs. the Predators on Saturday, so the recently recalled Cooper Marody will take his spot in the Oilers bottom-6. On the season he has no points and a minus-4 rating in six games.
Kinkaid allowed three goals on 19 shots in the Devils loss in Philadelphia. Kinkaid won his first four starts of the season, but has lost two in a row while allowing a combined seven goals on 52 shots (.865 SV%). Kinkaid will continue to start while Cory Schneider is out, but is not a very good option with the Predators in town.
Fantenberg has no points while averaging just 13:38 TOI in four games this season. He has swapped spots with Paul LaDue frequently this season, but will sit with LaDue tonight and Sean Walker will make his NHL debut.
Walker was recalled from Ontario (AHL) on Monday and will make his season debut tonight in Dallas. The 23-year-old defenseman will replace Oscar Fantenberg and play with Dion Phaneuf.
Hronek had three points (1G / 2A) in his first six games with the Red Wings. With Trevor Daley and Jonathan Ericsson back and Mike Green potentially returning on Friday, Hronek will head to the AHL where he had 39 points (11G / 28A) in 67 games last year.
Green has missed the first nine games of the season, but could play Friday vs. the Jets. Green is the Red Wings best offensive-defenseman and is coming off of a 33-point (8G / 25A) season in just 66 games.
Ritchie is fresh off of signing a three-year extension with the Ducks worth $4.599M (1.533M AAV) and will make his season debut tonight in Chicago. Ritchie will skate on the Ducks top line with Ryan Getzlaf and Rickard Rakell.
Gibson allowed two goals on 44 shots in the Ducks loss in Vegas on Saturday. Gibson has been outstanding to start the season, posting a 1.91 GAA, .949 SV% and one shutout in his first seven starts. Gibson will be busy again tonight. The Ducks have given up the most shots per game (37.9) and Chicago ranks fourth in shots per game (35.0) in the early portion of the season.
