O’Reilly has registered three goals and 11 assists (14 points) in 21 games with Rochester this season. He could make his Sabres’ debut on Sunday and it would be the first NHL game he plays on a team with his brother Ryan O’Reilly.
Letang is battling an undisclosed injury and he is questionable for Saturday’s afternoon game in Los Angeles. Thankfully for the Penguins, they could be getting Olli Maatta back. Monitor Letang’s status as the 4:00 pm ET puck-drop approaches.
Dubnyk stopped all 28 shots that he faced in the 1-0 shutout win over the Maple Leafs on Thursday. Dubnyk has won two in a row while turning aside 58 of the last 59 shots (.983 SV%) that he’s faced. Dubnyk now leads the NHL with four shutouts, he is also second in Wins (13) despite being 21st in SV% (.916) and 22nd in GAA (2.36). He will start tonight as long as his wife isn’t giving birth.
Johansson left the team’s afternoon practice in Winnipeg early, and Coach Barry Trotz said he would be a game-time decision for Saturday’s contest against the Jets. Stanislav Galiev skated in Johansson’s place on the second line, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s how Washington’s lineup will look if Johansson misses the game.
Bibeau, 21, has gone 6-3-0 with a 3.64 GAA and .869 SV% in 10 games with the Marlies this season. With James Reimer day-to-day with an injury and Jonathan Bernier in the minors on a conditioning stint, Bibeau has been recalled to serve as Garret Sparks backup for at least Saturday’s game.
Reimer returned to the crease on Thursday, but is back out with a few “bumps and bruises. With Reimer back out, Garret Sparks will start on Saturday and Antoine Bibeau has been recalled from Toronto (AHL) to serve as his backup.
Gustavsson allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Bruins win in Detroit last Wednesday. Tonight is the first night of a back-to-back for the Bruins, so it looks like Gustavsson will get the nod vs. the Flames, which leaves Rask fro Saturday in Vancouver. Gustavsson has gone 5-1-0 with a 2.15 GAA and .920 SV% in six starts this season.
Tarasenko missed Wednesday's practice, but was back on the ice for Thursday's session and skated in the morning skate. He is feeling better and will play tonight. He will skate on a new line with Paul Stastny and Jori Lehtera.
Gustavsson allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Bruins win in Detroit last Wednesday. Tonight is the first night of a back-to-back for the Bruins, so it looks like Gustavsson will get the nod vs. the Flames, which leaves Rask fro Saturday in Vancouver. Gustavsson has gone 5-1-0 with a 2.15 GAA and .920 SV% in six starts this season.
Mrazek allowed four goals on 32 shots in the Red Wings shootout win over the Sabres on Tuesday. Jimmy Howard get the call on Thursday, but will go to Mrazek tonight vs. the Predators. Mrazek has gone 3-1-3 with a 2.04 GAA and .929 SV% in seven starts on home is ice this season. He should make for a solid start against a Nashville team that is struggling offensively.
Gibson gave up two goals on 22 shots in the Ducks loss to the Lightning on Wednesday. Gibson has played very well since being called up—he has gone 2-2-1 with a 1.87 GAA and .932 SV% in four starts and one relief start. Tonight he will start against a Sharks team that has been excellent on the road this season. San Jose comes in with a 10-3-0 road record.
Nilsson allowed two goals on 40 shots in the Oilers win over the Bruins on Wednesday. Nilsson has allowed two goals in each of his last three starts while posting a .943 SV%. Tonight will be Nilsson’s second start against the Stars—he stopped 48 of 51 shots in a loss to Dallas in his season debut. He comes in with a 6-7-1 record, 2.63 GAA and .915 SV%.
Neuvirth allowed two goals on 35 shots in the Flyers win over the Predators last Friday. Steve Mason started the last two games, but he has terrible numbers against the Devils, so Neuvirth goes tonight. Neuvirth has won his last two games while stopping 64 of the last 68 shots (.941 SV%). The NHL’s SV% leader should make for a great start.
DeMelo, 22, has not registered a point with the Sharks this season, but has recorded five assists in 13 AHL games.
Anderson allowed three goals on 38 shots in Ottawa’s win over Chicago on Thursday. The win snapped a two-game losing skid for Anderson, who will start his 21st game of the season. The 34-year-old comes into play at 11-6-3 with a 2.81 GAA and .916 SV% on the season and 5-3-3 with a 2.47 GAA and .922 SV% on home ice.
Miller suffered a broken jaw after being hit in the head by Coyotes defenseman Klas Dahlbeck. Miller will be out until mid-January which means he will likely go on IR and the Red Wings should recall a forward. Joakim Andersson is expected to draw into the lineup for Miller on Saturday.
Pulkkinen was injured on a hit from Coyotes’ forward Martin Hanzal. Pluckiness hasn’t have a great start to the season, registering just 11 points (6G / 5A) in 24 games but now he will be sidelined until mid-January. With Pulkkinen out, expect Tomas Jurco to get a permanent spot in the lineup. Detroit will likely recall another forward as well.
