Point was reportedly hurt in Wednesday’s game vs. the Canadiens and is questionable for tonight’s game. The Lightning recalled Yanni Gourde this morning, which suggest that Point will not play tonight.
Namestnikov left Wednesday’s game after being crunched by Canadiens’ defenseman Shea Weber. Erik Condra was recalled this morning, which suggests that Namestnikov will not be available against the Maple Leafs.
Gourde, 25, appeared in two games with the Lightning last season, but this is his first call-up of 2016-17. Gourde has 10 goals and 16 assists (26 points) in 29 games with Syracuse. He could make his season debut tonight with Vladislav Namestnikov and Brayden Point both leaving last night’s game with injuries.
Condra has been up and down between the NHL and AHL frequently this season. The veteran winger has no points in seven games with the Lightning, but 19 points (5G / 14A) in 21 games with Syracuse. He could draw into the lineup tonight with Vladislav Namestnikov and Brayden Point both leaving Wednesday’s game with injuries.
Kulikov has one assist in eight games since returning from a back injury, but will come out of the lineup tonight because of the same injury. Kulikov is listed as day-to-day and will be replaced by Cody Franson.
Franson has missed the last three games with a mid-body injury, but will return to the lineup tonight vs. the Bruins. Franson will replace Dmitry Kulikov in the lineup, who comes out with a back injury. Franson has one goal and seven assists (eight points) in 31 games this season.
Holtby allowed four goals on 31 shots in the Capitals’ loss in Brooklyn on Tuesday. Holtby has lost three of his last four starts despite posting a 1.99 GAA, .932 SV% and one shutout. Tonight will mark the first time he has faced the Devils this season—Holtby is 10-5-0 with a 1.87 GAA and .926 SV% on home-ice this season.
Sgarbossa was traded from Anaheim to Florida earlier this season. He had two assists in nine games with the Ducks and has picked up 12 points (4G / 8A) in 14 games with Springfield since the trade. With Aleksander Barkov out, Sgarbossa could make his Panthers’ debut tonight.
Holtby allowed four goals on 31 shots in the Capitals’ loss in Brooklyn on Tuesday. Holtby has lost three of his last four starts despite posting a 1.99 GAA, .932 SV% and one shutout. Tonight will mark the first time he has faced the Devils this season—Holtby is 10-5-0 with a 1.87 GAA and .926 SV% on home-ice this season.
Lehner allowed three goals on 43 shots in the Sabres’ win over the Red Wings on Tuesday. Lehner missed practice on Wednesday because he took a stick to the neck during the game in Detroit, but he is good to go tonight vs. the Bruins. Lehner has won three of his last five starts while posting a 2.56 GAA and .929 SV%. However, he is 0-2-0 with a 3.03 GAA and .920 SV% vs. the Bruins.
Raanta allowed three goals on 36 shots in the Rangers’ win over the Senators on Tuesday. With Henrik Lundqvist still battling the flu, Raanta will start tonight in Arizona. He has started six games with two relief appearances in December, going 4-3-0 with a 2.26 GAA and.916 SV%. He makes for a solid start in Arizona, having gone 5-1-0 with a 2.13 GAA and .934 SV% on the road.
Reimer allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Panthers’ loss to the Bruins last Thursday. Reimer has had a below-average season, but he has been solid in December, going 1-1-1 with a 1.84 GAA and .935 SV%. With Roberto Luongo going last night, Reimer will start tonight vs. the Canadiens, who also played last night. The Habs come in having lost five of their last seven.
Murray allowed two goals on 27 shots before leaving the crease and being replaced by Marc-Andre Fleury, who ended up recording the win. The Penguins did not have an update on Murray postgame, but expect them to provide and update in the next day or two.
Barkov played 9:05 TOI before retiring to the dressing room in the Panthers’ shootout loss to the Maple Leafs. Panthers’ head coach Tom Rowe did not have an update on Barkov postgame, but he is considered questionable for Thursday’s game vs. the Canadiens. If he doesn’t play, expect Vincent Trocheck to play a significant role.
Smith allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Coyotes’ loss to the Stars on Tuesday. Smith has lost five consecutive games in regulation while posting a 3.06 GAA and .891 SV%. Tonight he will face the Rangers for the first time this season—the veteran netminder has gone 4-6-2 with a 2.76 GAA and .921 SV% on home-ice this season.
Bibeau allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Maple Leafs loss to Colorado on December 11th. Bibeau was supposed to get a start before the Christmas break, but it never happened, so we’ll see if Mike Babcock will stick to his guns and start Bibeau tonight in Tampa Bay. Bibeau has gone 7-7-1 with a 2.46 GAA and .908 SV% in 16 starts with the Marlies this season.
The Blackhawks have a tough salary-cap situation, which is why they couldn’t give more term to Panarin. The young Russian winger has picked up 15 goals and 22 assists (37 points) in 37 games this season and has 114 points (45G / 69A) in 117 career NHL games.
Stoner has been sidelined since November 15th and will miss at least one more month. Expect Stoner to be back in late-January, early-February.
Montour, 22, was a second round pick in 2014 (55th overall) and could make his NHL debut during the Ducks’ two-game road trip. He has been called up because Sami Vatanen is sick and will not be available on Thursday or Friday. Montour has seven goals and 14 assists (21 points) in 25 games with San Diego this season.
Vatanen missed Tuesday’s game vs. the Sharks android not travel to Western Canada for the Ducks’ two-game road trip. With Vatanen sidelined, Korbinian Holzer is expected to be in the lineup again. Monitor his status prior to Sunday’s game vs. the Flyers.
