Sheahan was expected to return to the Red Wings lineup last night, but he reportedly suffered a setback prior to game-time and was held out of the lineup for the third straight game. Monitor his status prior to Thursday’s game vs. Boston.
Datsyuk missed five games with a lower-body injury, but played in the last two games prior to last night. He did not make it out for pre-game warmups because he had a “flare up” with the injury and was replaced by Daniel Cleary. Consider him day-to-day and monitor his status prior to Thursday’s game.
Mrazek made 33 saves on 34 shots in the Red Wings 2-1 shootout loss to the Senators on Tuesday. It was a lacklustre effort by the Red Wings, but Mrazek was great, earning him a fourth straight start. He has gone 1-0-1 with a 2.28 GAA and .920 SV% in his previous three starts. Tonight is a massive matchup against the Bruins, who have won three straight.
Bernier was pulled after allowing three goals on 16 shots in the Maple Leafs loss to the Panthers on Saturday. James Reimer started the last two games, including last night so it will be Bernier tonight in Buffalo. Bernier has gone 2-0-0 with a 1.45 GAA and .930 SV% in his first two starts against the Sabres.
Vasilevskiy is scheduled to get one start per week and with the Lightning on the tail-end of a back-to-back, he is expected to get the nod tonight vs. Toronto. Vasilevskiy made 33 saves in a 4-3 win over Florida in his last start. Vasilevskiy is an excellent option tonight against a Maple Leafs team who have lost seven of eight.
Ritchie, 21, has posted nine points (6G / 3A) in 31 NHL games with Dallas this season. He scored his first career NHL goal in his first career NHL game on his first shot on Dec. 31, 2014 vs. the Arizona Coyotes. In 25 games with Texas in 2014-15, he has posted 18 points (11G / 7A) and a +10 plus/minus rating.
McKenzie, 24, has appeared in 36 games for Dallas this season posting five points (4G / 1A) and 48 penalty minutes. In 25 games with Texas this season, he has posted 17 points (6G / 11A) and 64 shots on net.
Lack made 23 saves on 24 shots in the Canucks win over the Blues last night. Despite playing last night, the Canucks will go back to Lack tonight in Nashville. Lack has gone 0-2-0 with a 4.04 GAA and .873 SV% in his first two starts against the Predators this season.
Varlamov allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Avs loss to the Oilers on Monday. How does he lose to Edmonton twice in less than week? I mean come on Varlamov, not even Anders Lindback would do that. Varlamov comes in as a loser of four of his last five while posting a 3.38 GAA and .903 SV% in the process.
Berra allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Avs loss to the Sharks on Wednesday, but Patrick Roy will stick with him tonight in Anaheim. Berra has posted a 2.21 GAA and .930 SV% in his last two starts and one relief appearance. He will be in tough tonight against a Ducks team who have won their last four straight.
Berra made 33 saves on 34 shots in the Avs win over the Canucks on Saturday. Semyon Varlamov started the last two games, but Berra will start the next two with Varly going on Saturday. Berra comes in having stopped 59 of the last 61 shots (.967 SV%) that he has faced. Tonight he will take on a Sharks team who have lost five of their last eight.
Johnson practiced on Tuesday but he was reportedly still labouring quite a bit so he will not travel out to California for the Avs’ upcoming three-game Cali-trip.
Cullen has missed the last four games and will miss his fifth consecutive game tonight vs. the Canucks. Despite not playing tonight, his participation in the morning skate is a good sign that he will be available for Saturday.
Neal returned to the ice this morning, but will be held out of the lineup tonight vs. the Canucks. Tonight will be the ninth consecutive game that he has missed. However, skating this morning is a good sign that he should be available for Saturday’s game vs. Dallas.
Tarasov has been a healthy scratch for the last two games, so he has been reassigned to the minors, which suggests that Mike Brown is set to return to the lineup.
Lundqvist allowed four goals on 30 shots in the Rangers 4-2 loss to the Capitals in his return from a neck injury on Saturday. Cam Talbot struggled on Sunday as well, so the Rangers will go back to King Henrik tonight in Winnipeg. Lundqvist has gone 11-5-1 with a 2.16 GAA and .925 SV% on the road this season.
Ward stopped 21 of 22 shots in the Hurricanes victory over the Devils on Saturday. He was given Sunday night off, but it looks like he will be back in goal tonight in Washington. Ward has not faced the Caps this season, but he has struggled on the road—so far Ward is 7-13-1 with a 3.01 GAA and .897 SV% away from home.
Rinne allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Predators win over the Capitals on Saturday. He was given Sunday night off, but he will be back in goal tonight. He comes in on a four-game winning-streak while posting a 1.74 GAA and .938 SV%. He will be taking on a Vancouver team who has won four of his last six games.
Vasilevskiy is scheduled to get one start per week and with the Lightning on the tail-end of a back-to-back, he is expected to get the nod tonight vs. Toronto. Vasilevskiy made 33 saves in a 4-3 win over Florida in his last start. Vasilevskiy is an excellent option tonight against a Maple Leafs team who have lost seven of eight.