Abdelkader is likely to miss his third consecutive game after missing this morning’s gameday skate. Abdelkader was on fire prior to getting injured and the Red Wings could definitely use him back in their lineup as they push for the playoffs.
Moses, 25, dominated the KHL this season, scoring 36 goals and 21 assists (57 points) in 60 games. He is not eligible to play until next season, but should be a useful asset for the Predators next season.
Hedman missed the last three games, but he will be back in the lineup vs. the Devils. Hedman has posted 37 points (10G / 27A) in 57 games this season and will be a huge part of the Lightning’s success in the playoffs.
Helgeson, 24, had two assists in 21 games with the Devils earlier in the season. With Albany he earned nine points (1G / 8A) in 44 games. He will be back in the lineup on Thursday vs. the Lightning.
Schneider gave up three goals on 39 shots in the Devils loss to the Rangers on Tuesday. Schnieder has not recorded a win since March 17th, losing his last seven straight outings. Overall he had a strong season, going 26-30-9 with a 2.25 GAA and .926 SV% on a Devils team who rank 28th in the NHL in scoring (2.15 G/PG).
Kinkaid allowed three goals on 26 shots after replacing Cory Schneider in the Devils loss in New York last Saturday. Kinkaid has gone 1-4-1 with a 3.20 GAA and .900 SV% in four starts and six relief appearances on the road this season. Tonight he will face a Lightning team who have lost four of six.
Zuccarello will miss his second straight game with general body soreness. He is listed as day-to-day and is expected to be ready for the playoffs.
Staal will be held out of the lineup with a minor undisclosed injury according to Alain Vigneault. Staal is listed as day-to-day.
Nash will be held out of the lineup on Thursday because of a minor injury according to coach Alain Vigneault. Nash is listed as day-to-day.
Bishop stopped all 34 shots that he faced in the Lightning’s shutout win over the Panthers on Saturday. With four games off in between games, Bishop will go again tonight vs. the Devils. Bishop comes in at 25-6-1 with a 2.13 GAA and .925 SV% at home this season.
Atkinson suffered a cut near his hand/wrist area after he was sliced by Alexander Wennberg’s skate while leaving the bench to celebrate last night’s win. Atkinson required 10 stitches to close the wound and is questionable for the Blue Jackets final two games.
Lundqvist allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Rangers OT win over the Blue Jackets on Monday. Lundqvist has gone four in a row while posting a 1.97 GAA and .938 SV%. He will start the last two games of the regular season and it will start tonight where he will try to spoil the Senators playoff push.
Summers, 27, did not record a point in his Rangers debut on March 29th. In 13 games with Hartford he has one assist and a plus-3 rating. He could play tonight as the Rangers gear up to rest some players after clinching the President’s Trophy on Tuesday.
Bourque, 24, was a third round pick (80th overall) in 2009. He has scored 12 goals and 18 assists (30 points) in 70 games with Hartford this season. He could make his NHL debut tonight with the Rangers having clinched the President’s Trophy on Tuesday.
Emery allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Flyers shootout loss in Carolina last Saturday. He will get another crack at the Hurricanes tonight. Emery has not recorded a win since February 15th, posting a 2.84 GAA and .896 SV% in six appearances since then. This could be his final outing of the season—he comes in at 10-10-7 with a 3.10 GAA and .893 SV%.
Kuemper will be making his first start since January 6th (93 days ago) tonight in Nashville. Kuemper will give Devan Dubnyk a rest after Dubnyk started the last 39 straight games. Kuemper has gone 13-12-2 with a 2.62 GAA and .904 SV% in 27 starts this season. He will take on a Predators team who have lost four in a row.
Orr, 33, has no points (shocker) and four penalty minutes in 14 games with the Marlies this season. He is being recalled for the final game of the season so he can finish his Maple Leafs career as an NHLer.
Getzlaf will be held out of his second consecutive game for rest reasons. He is not believed to be battling a serious injury, so he is likely resting some bumps and bruises leading into the playoffs.
Niemi allowed four goals on 35 shots in the Sharks loss in Arizona last Saturday. Alex Stalock got the nod on Monday, but it will be Niemi in Edmonton. Niemi has gone 1-0-1 with a 3.36 GAA and .897 SV% in his first two outings against the Oilers this season. He comes in at 16-10-2 on the road.
Allen turned aside 30 of 31 shots in the Blues 1-0 loss to the Jets on Tuesday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Allen, but he has been sensational over that stretch. He has posted an awesome 1.25 GAA and .956 SV% over that four-game span, so he will start for the fourth time in five games.
