Vrana has registered just three points (1G / 2A) in 12 games since being called up. Vrana hasn’t recorded a point in five games and will be replaced by Brett Connolly in the lineup and by Andre Burakovsky on the power play.
Eakin was suspended for four games for his hit on Henrik Lundqvist, but is set to return to the lineup tonight. Eakin has had a tough season, collecting just a single assist in 14 games. Jason Dickinson was sent back to Texas (AHL) to make room for Eakin.
Laine missed Wednesday’s practice and today’s morning skate, but head coach Paul Maurice said he is expected to be in the lineup tonight. Laine has had a great rookie campaign so far, scoring 19 goals and 11 assists (30 points) in 37 games.
Johnson gave up four goals on 34 shots in the Flames’ loss in San Jose on December 20th. Johnson has lost his last three starts while allowing four goals in each start while posting an .857 SV%. Brian Elliott started the last two games, but Johnson will get back in goal tonight vs. the Ducks. He is 1-1-0 with a 3.50 GAA and .870 SV% against Anaheim.
Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 22 shots in the Lightning’s win over Montreal last night. Because he wasn’t overly busy and Ben Bishop is out, Vasilevskiy will go again tonight vs. the Maple Leafs. The 22-year-old has gone 6-1-1 with a 2.32 GAA and .922 SV% at Amalie Arena this season, but the Maple Leafs come in on a three-game winning streak.
Namestnikov was crushed by Shea Weber on Wednesday and will come out of the lineup on Thursday. Erik Condra was recalled this morning and will draw in for Namestnikov.
Point suffered an upper-body injury in Wednesday’s win over the Canadiens and will miss at least one month. This is a tough break for Point, who is having a strong rookie season. With Point out, Yanni Gourde was recalled from Syracuse (AHL) and is expected to draw into the lineup on Thursday.
Filppula was benched for one game for violating a team rule, but will be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Maple Leafs. Expect him to be back between Brian Boyle and Jonathan Drouin.
Bobrovsky allowed three goals on 40 shots in the Blue Jackets’ win over the Bruins on Tuesday. That’s 11 straight wins for Bobrovsky, who has posted a 1.55 GAA and .944 SV% over that stretch. He has been ridiculous all season, only losing five of his 29 games in regulation and comes into tonight with a 9-2-2 with a 1.87 GAA and .931 SV% on the road this season.
Halak allowed three goals on 34 shots in the Islanders’ win over the Capitals on Tuesday. After sitting for five straight games, Halak will start for a second straight game tonight in Minnesota. Halak is a dreadful 1-5-1 with a 3.66 GAA and .902 SV% on the road this season and the Wild comes in on an 11-game winning streak.
Condon allowed four goals on 25 shots in the Senators loss in New York on Tuesday. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Condon, who will face the low-scoring Red Wings on home-ice, where he is 4-1-2 with a 1.82 GAA and .937 SV% this season.
Coreau allowed three goals on 34 shots in the Red Wings’ shootout win in Florida last Friday. Coreau has allowed seven goals on 70 shots (.900 SV%) in his first two NHL starts and will make No.3 tonight in Ottawa. The Senators have gone 11-5-3 on home ice this season.
Dubnyk allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Wild’s win in Nashville on Tuesday. Dubnyk has won nine straight games while posting a rock-solid 1.42 GAA, .951 SV% and one shutout. He is a must-start whenever he gets the nod, especially on home ice, where he has gone 10-3-0 with a 1.39 GAA and .947 SV% this season.
Kinkaid allowed two goals on 30 shot in the Devils’ loss in Ottawa on December 17th. Cory Schneider started the last five games, but Kinkaid will go tonight in Washington. The 27-year-old has gone 3-2-1 with a 2.44 GAA and .932 SV% in six starts on the road this season. The Capitals come in losers of three of their last four.
Hutchinson allowed one goal on 23 shots in the Jets’ win in Vancouver last Thursday. Hutchinson has gone 2-2-0 with a 2.34 GAA and .912 SV% in December. Hutchinson will be in deep water tonight against a Blue Jackets team that has won 13 consecutive games while averaging 4.00 goals for and 1.62 goals against per game.
Lehtonen allowed two goals on 37 shots in the Stars’ win in Arizona on Tuesday. Lehtonen has won two in a row while allowing a combined four goals on 68 shots (.941 SV%). Tonight will be his fourth appearance of the season against Colorado—the 33-year-old has gone 2-1-0 with a 1.18 GAA and .958 SV% in the first three meetings.
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.
