Merrill has been sidelined with an arm injury since January 16th, but it looks like he will replace Damon Severson in the lineup tonight. Merrill has just three points (1G / 2A) in 36 games this season.
Catenacci didn’t register a point in three games with the Sabres before suffering a concussion last Thursday in Philadelphia. He returns to Rochester where he has 16 points (7G / 9A) in 36 games this season.
Desharnais will miss his second straight game tonight and if he misses three weeks he will miss nine of 10 more games. With Desharnais out, Lars Eller is expected to remain in the top-6.
Korpisalo gave up two goals on 30 shots in the Blue Jackets 2-1 OT loss to the Bruins on Tuesday. Korpisalo is an impressive 8-1-3 with a 1.94 GAA and .942 SV% in his last 12 starts and draws a great matchup tonight. He has never faced the Sabres, but Korpisalo has gone 5-2-3 with a 2.27 GAA and .928 SV% on home ice this season.
Regner did not register a point in seven games with the Panthers during his call up. He heads back to Portland where he has 12 points (2G / 10A) in 43 games.
McFarland, 23, did not record a point in three games with the Panthers and heads back to Portland where he has 14 goals and eight assists (22 points) in 43 games this season.
Rau, 23, was a third round pick (91st overall) in 2011 but has yet to appear in an NHL game yet. Rau has 27 points (17G / 10A) in 48 games with Portland this season. He is expected to make his NHL debut on Saturday.
Matheson, 21, was the Panthers first round pick (23rd overall) in 2012 but has never appeared in an NHL game. He has posted five goals and nine assists (14 points) in 43 games with Portland this season and is expected to make his NHL debut on Saturday.
McDonagh was playing in just his second game after missing four with a concussion. He was caught in the head by a Leo Komarov elbow and was forced to leave the game. The immediate concern is another concussion, which could keep McDonagh sidelined for an extended period of time.
Kopitar left the game after playing just 5:12 TOI but there is no indication how he suffered the injury. Kopitar has nine points (4G / 5A) in eight games since the All-Star break and has been on a tear since the middle of December, so this would be a huge loss at both ends of the ice. Expect an update on Kopitar’s status heading into the weekend.
Little left after being hit by Anton Stralman and was unable to return. Jets’ head coach Paul Maurice indicated in a postgame interview that Little will undergo an x-ray on his neck.
Miller allowed three goals on 36 shots in the Canucks loss to the Maple Leafs last Saturday. Jacob Markstrom started on Monday and lost, so Miller will go tonight vs. the Ducks. Miller is 1-2-1 with a 1.74 GAA and .944 SV% in February and 1-1-0 with a 2.64 GAA and .914 SV% in two starts against Anaheim this season.
Kuemper allowed three goals on 18 shots in the Wild’s loss to Boston last Saturday. Devan Dubnyk started last night, so Kuemper will get the nod tonight in Edmonton. Kuemper has not recorded a win since January 21st and comes in with a 2-1-3 record, 2.11 GAA and .928 SV% on the road.
Kuemper allowed three goals on 18 shots in the Wild’s loss to Boston last Saturday. Devan Dubnyk started last night, so look for Kuemper to get the nod tonight in Edmonton. Kuemper has not recorded a win since January 21st and comes in with a 2-1-3 record, 2.11 GAA and .928 SV% on the road.
Niemi allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Stars win in Nashville on Monday. Kari Lehtonen started on Tuesday, but it looks like Niemi will go tonight in Arizona. Niemi is 3-1-0 with a 3.23 GAA and .871 SV% in February and comes in at 8-5-5 with a 2.81 GAA and .903 SV% on the road this season. The Coyotes come in having lost six of their last eight.
Rask stopped 28 of 29 shots in the Bruins win in Columbus on Tuesday. It was a nice bounce-back performance from Rask, who allowed five goals in his previous outing. Rask is 4-1-1 with a 3.20 GAA and .910 SV% in seven starts since the All-Star break. Tonight he faces a Predators team that has lost three of his last four.
Palat was listed as a game-time decision due to an illness, but he is on the ice in warmups and skating on his regular line which suggests that he will play.
