Saad missed this afternoon’s practice with an illness. His absence this morning suggests he could miss Friday’s contest, which would be unfortunate because the Blue Jackets will be getting Ryan Johansen back.
On Friday, Hoffman will miss his second consecutive game with a lower-body injury but he is probably going to be back in the lineup on Saturday vs. the Red Wings. With Hoffman still sidelined, Shane Prince is expected to play on the top line again.
LaBarbera did not appear in a game during his call-up LaBarbera was returned to the AHL because Michal Neuvirth (lower-body) is set to return to the lineup on Thursday.
Laleggia was recalled with Tyler Pitlick this morning as a paper move to maximize the Oilers cap relief by placing Jordan Eberle (shoulder) on longterm injured reserve.
Pitlick was recalled with Joey Laleggia this morning as a paper move to maximize the Oilers cap relief by placing Jordan Eberle (shoulder) on longterm injured reserve.
Zatkoff only appeared in one game with the Penguins last season, but is the Penguins full-time backup this season. In 21 career NHL games, Zatkoff has gone 12-7-2 with a 2.58 GAA and .913 SV%. In a full season in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he went 18-14-4 with a 2.45 GAA and .910 SV%. He has proven to be a capable backup and should be a good spot-start tonight vs. the Sabres.
Niemi gave up three goals on 20 shots in the Stars 4-3 win over the Ducks on Tuesday. Niemi has won three straight starts while posting a 1.67 GAA and .944 SV%. He has been solid since heading to Dllas and it looks like he will make his sixth start tonight vs. the Canucks. Vancouver is 1-2-2 in their last five games.
Boyle has missed the last three games with an undisclosed injury, but he was on the ice for the morning skate and should return to the lineup tonight vs. the Avalanche. If he is scratched, Jonathan Marchessault will make his season debut.
Weber has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury, but will return to the lineup tonight in Pittsburgh. Weber has no points and a minus-3 rating in seven games this season.
Draisaitl, 20, has been recalled because the Oilers are in need of a top-6 forward. Draisaitl has scored one goal with one assist in six games with Bakersfield and many reports suggest that Draisaitl has been the Condors’ best forward this season. He is expected to make his season debut tonight on a line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall.
Eberle has been placed on longterm injured reserve retroactive to the start of the season, which means he is eligible to return to the lineup whenever he is healthy. Eberle’s movement to LTIR gave the Oilers’ cap relief to recall Leon Draisaitl.
Johansen missed the last two games with an illness, but he returned to practice this afternoon which is a good sign that he will be back in the lineup on Friday.
Johnson allowed three goals on 33 shots in the Sabres OT win in Philadelphia on Tuesday. It was a nice bounce-back game from Johnson, who allowed seven goals in his previous start. Johnson enters play on Thursday with a 3.04 GAA and .884 SV%. He is a scary start tonight vs. an underachieving Penguins’ offence.
Bishop stopped 22 of 23 shots in the Lightning’s 2-0 loss to the Blues on Tuesday. Bishop has alternated wins and losses in his last five games while posting a 2.79 GAA and .904 SV%. He will make his 10th start of the season tonight vs. the Avalanche. He is a must-start tonight vs. a Colorado team who has lost four straight.
Clune, 28, signed an AHL contract with the Maple Leafs this summer and registered two goals and three assists in eight games with the Marlies. Signing him to an NHL contract forced the Leafs to make room on the roster for Clune, by placing Mark Arcobello on waivers.
Halak will not serve as Thomas Greiss’ backup tonight because he is feeling “under the weather.” Halak is day-to-day, look for him to start one of the Islanders game on either Saturday or Sunday.
Greiss allowed two goals on 40 shots in the Islanders win in St. Louis last Saturday. Greiss will start because Jaroslav Halak is out with an illness. Greiss has won three in a row, while posting a 2.28 GAA and .937 SV%. He has a great matchup tonight vs. a Carolina team who is averaging 1.89 goals per game.
Arcobello has yet to record a point in seven games with the Maple Leafs this season. He was placed on waivers multiple time last season, so this is nothing new for Arcobello. If he goes unclaimed, expect him to be assigned to Toronto (AHL).
Johansen missed the last two games, but it looks as if the Blue Jackets' top offensive threat could return to practice this afternoon and then potentially play on Friday.
