Johnson was sent home this morning because of an illness and he is questionable for tonight’s game against the Islanders. Monitor his status leading up to and during pre-game warmups. Justin Falk will play if Johnson can’t go.
Hamilton will miss his sixth straight game tonight, but he is expected to start skating again next week and could be back in the lineup before the end of the season.
Dano has registered 16 points (7G / 9A) in 30 games with the Blue Jackets. With Jared Boll coming back to the lineup after a three-game suspension, Dano will be given the night off.
Bobrovsky allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Blue Jackets 3-2 overtime win over the Devils on Tuesday. Goalie Bob has won six consecutive games while posting a 2.14 GAA and .938 SV%. Bobrovsky is red-hot and the Islanders are not, having lost seven of their last nine games entering play tonight.
Hammond allowed one goal on 17 shots in the Senators 2-1 shootout win over the Red Wings on Tuesday. Hammond has gone 15-1-1 with a 1.85 GAA and .938 SV% since being recalled. Tonight he draws a rough matchup against the Lightning—Hammond has gone 7-1-0 with a 2.74 GAA and .908 SV% at home this season.
Brodziak has missed the last three games, but he is expected to be back in the lineup on tonight vs. the Rangers. Erik Haula is expected to come out to make room for Brodziak.
With Kyle Brodziak set to return on Thursday, Haula is expected to take a seat. Haula has not registered a point in nine straight games.
Malkin missed practice the last two days as “maintenance” but it was clearly more serious than that as he was held out of Wednesday’s game and could miss the Penguins back-to-back on the weekend. Monitor Gino’s status heading into the weekend.
After playing his first four games back on the wing, Krejci is expected to shift back to centre between Carl Soderberg and Loui Eriksson. Krejci has two assists and six shots on goal in the four games back.
Connolly missed 15 games with a fractured finger, but is finally expected to make his Bruins debut on Thursday after being acquired from the Lightning at the traded deadline. Connolly had 12 goals and three assists (15 points) in 50 games with Tampa Bay.
Crawford gave up three goals on 34 shots in the Blackhawks 4-3 victory over the Jets on Sunday. Crawford finished March at 7-3-1 with a 2.32 GAA and .933 SV%, easily one of his better months of the season. He starts the home stretch tonight versus a Canucks team who he is 0-1-1 with a 4.07 GAA and .877 SV% against this season.
St. Louis missed the last eight games with a knee injury, but he will be back in the lineup tonight in Minnesota. St. Louis has registered 20 goals and 27 assists (47 points) in 68 games this season.
Lundqvist allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Rangers 3-2 win over Winnipeg on Tuesday. His return didn’t go well, but Tuesday was an excellent outing for King Henrik, who appears to have re-claimed his spot as the Rangers’ starter. Tonight Lundqvist will face a Wild team who have won five in a row and seven of their last eight contests.
Hiller surrendered three goals on 36 shots in the Flames win over the Stars on Monday. Hiller has won two straight starts so he will make his third consecutive start tonight in St. Louis. Hiller has posted a 2.37 GAA and .924 SV% in the two wins, but will be in tough against the Blues—Hiller has gone 0-2-0 with a 3.58 GAA and .891 SV% against St. Louis this season.
Kesler was held out of Wednesday’s contest as he rested up an elbow injury. He is expected to be back in the lineup on Friday against the Avalanche. With Kesler likely back-in, expect Emerson Etem to take a seat.
Andersen allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Ducks win over the Islanders on Saturday. John Gibson started Sunday, but the Ducks will go back to Andersen tonight vs. Edmonton. Andersen has gone 2-0-0 with a 1.50 GAA and .933 SV% against the Oilers this season.
Allen gave up two goals on 26 shots in the Blues win in Pittsburgh on March 24th. Brian Elliott started the last two games, but Allen will go tonight vs. the Flames. In his first 12 starts and three relief appearances at home this season, Allen has gone 10-3-1 with a 2.38 GAA and .898 SV%. Calgary comes in having won their last two games while scoring five goals in each.
