Jensen, 22, was the 29th overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 186 lbs. right winger has registered 12 points (4G / 8A) in 27 games with Utica this season. He has three goals and three assists in 24 career NHL games. Jensen was approaching waiver-eligible status, so the Canucks feared losing him for nothing and Etem is an NHL-ready winger.
Allen allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Blues overtime loss in Colorado on Wednesday. Allen has now lost three straight games while allowing a combined nine goals on 93 shots (.903 SV%). Despite his recent struggles, the Blues will go back to him tonight in Anaheim. It is a solid matchup vs. a low-scoring team, don’t be afraid to deploy Allen.
Andrei Vasilevskiy was on the ice for a lengthy period of time this morning, which points towards Bishop starting tonight vs. the Oilers. Head coach Jon Cooper was not available to confirm his starting goalie following the skate, so it looks like we will have to wait for his pregame availability around 7 p.m ET.
Hansen left Wednesday’s game with an undisclosed injury and then missed Friday’s practice which puts his status for Saturday’s game in serious doubt. With Hansen missing practice, Alex Burrows skated on the Canucks top line.
Etem was a healthy scratch on Tuesday and has averaged just 11:05 TOI in 19 games this season. He has played on the fourth line for the majority of the year, a spot that does not fit his playing style. He has reportedly been the subject of some trade calls recently, but as of now he heads the Hartford for a conditioning stint.
After recording just eight points (3G / 5A) in 36 games with the Sharks this season, Tierney was sent to the AHL, where he collected one goal and two assists in two games and was promptly called back to the Sharks.
Rinne gave up three goals on 17 shots in the Predators loss to the Jets. Rinne has gone 4-3-0 with a 2.58 GAA and .904 SV% in his last seven starts. He has been as inconsistent as he’s ever been and it has been increasingly more difficult to trust him night in and night out. Tonight he faces a Colorado team that is tied for sixth in goals for on home ice (3.00).
Benn missed Thursday’s game with a lower-body injury, but was reportedly feeling better on Friday. Despite that fact, he remains questionable for Saturday’s game. He has just nine points (1G / 8A) in 41 games this season.
Pakarinen has missed the last three games with a concussion, but will be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Lightning. Pakarinen has three goals and two assists (five points) in 30 games this season.
Gibson allowed three goals on 25 shots before exiting Wednesday’s game with a lower-body injury. Despite getting hurt, Gibson practiced on Thursday and took part in an optional morning skate today, so it looks like he is good to go. Gibson comes into tonight’s game at 6-3-1 with a 1.75 GAA and .932 SV% on Honda Center ice.
Talbot stopped all 29 shots in the Oilers shutout win over the Hurricanes on Monday. Talbot has won two in a row while stopping 60 of 63 shots (.952 SV%). Talbot has had a rollercoaster of a season and comes into tonight with a 7-11-2 record, 2.76 GAA and .910 SV% on the season. Tonight he starts vs. the Lightning on home ice, where he is 5-5-0.
Johnson allowed four goals on 23 shots in the Sabres loss to the Red Wings last Saturday. Johnson has lost his last two starts while allowing a combined eight goals on 57 shots (.877 SV%). He draws a tough matchup tonight, but in his first game against the Blackhawks, he stopped 26 of 28 shots in a 3-2 shootout loss.
Gostisbehere left Thursday’s game with a lower-body injury and will not play on Saturday. Brandon Manning will get back into the lineup with Gostisbehere out. He is expected to be evaluated over the next 24 hours and a detailed injury report should be released on Saturday.
Condon allowed one goal on 20 shots in the Canadiens win over the Devils on Wednesday. Condon has rattled off three straight wins while posting a 1.62 GAA and .943 SV%. It has been a wild ride for Condon this season, but things have been looking up recently. Tonight will be his second start vs. the Penguins—he made 31 saves in a 4-3 shootout loss in the first game.
Mayfield, 23, has five points (3G / 2A) in 35 games with Bridgeport this season. He has no points in five career NHL games.
Boulton has only appeared in one game this season. There is no word what is ailing the veteran forward, but his movement to IR opened up a roster spot to recall Scott Mayfield.
Carlson has missed the last six games with a lower-body injury and is expected to miss both games this weekend. It sounds like he defiantly will not play on Saturday, but Sunday remains a possibility.
Price has been sidelined since November 25th because of a lower-body injury and he was originally given a six-week timetable. Next Monday will mark six weeks, but Price has been ruled out for the remainder of January. Monitor Price’s status as the All Star game approaches.
Anderson allowed three goals on 16 shots in the Senators loss to the Panthers on Thursday. It was an ugly outing for Anderson, who has lost his last three games while posting a poor 4.08 GAA and .854 SV%. In his two starts against the Bruins this season, Anderson is 1-1-0 with a 4.00 GAA and .895 SV%.
Strachan had no points and was a plus-1 in two games with the Wild. He has been sent down with Mike Reilly being recalled from Iowa.
