Datsyuk has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury but it looks like he has a chance to return tomorrow vs. the Sharks. The Red Wings have gone 1-2-1 in the four games that Datsyuk has missed.
Kronwall was a late scratch from yesterday’s game and is questionable for Thursday’s game against the Sharks. Monitor his status during the Red Wings morning skate.
Cole was injured on Tuesday vs. Arizona and will be held out of at least one game. He will miss tomorrow’s game and then be re-evaluated prior to the Red Wings back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday.
Skapski, 20, went 1-0-1 with a 0.50 GAA and .978 SV% in two starts with the Rangers (both vs. BUF). He returns to the AHL where he has gone 12-7-3 with a 2.38 GAA and .914 SV% this season. His return to the minors suggests that Henrik Lundqvist will dress on Thursday.
The Rangers sent Mackenzie Skapski back to Hartford (AHL) today, so Lundqvist will at least dress as Cam Talbot’s backup on Thursday. There is no word who their starter will be, but the way Talbot has played in his absence gives the Rangers a scary 1-2 punch in goal heading into the playoffs. Lundqvist has gone 25-11-3 with a 2.25 GAA, .922 SV% and five shutouts this season.
Crawford made 43 saves on 44 shots in the Blackhawks 3-1 win over the Hurricanes on Monday. He has been victorious in four of his last five starts while posting a 1.81 GAA and .945 SV%. Crawford will face a Flyers team who have lost eight of their last nine games.
Hornqvist has missed the last four games and it doesn’t look like he will play on Thursday, but should be able to return to the lineup by the weekend.
Malkin has mixed the last five games and is expected to miss his sixth on Thursday, however, it looks like Malkin could be back in the lineup for the Penguins back-to-back on the weekend. Monitor his status heading into the weekend.
Ehrhoff, who missed 19 of the Penguins' past 24 games, appeared dizzy after the side of his head hit the boards following a Vladimir Tarasenko hit early in the first period. Coach Mike Johnston said said after the game that he had no update on Ehrhoff's status. He has eben battling concussion issues since mid-January.
Hackett allowed three goals on 43 shots in the Sabres loss in Nashville last Saturday. Hackett has gone 0-3-0 with a 4.33 GAA and .893 SV% in three games since being recalled. Tonight he makes for an OK option with the Coyotes in town.
Ference missed Tuesday’s practice and will be held out of tonight’s game vs. the Avalanche. He will undergo further testing to determine the severity of his injury. Keith Aulie is expected to get back into the lineup with Ference out.
Cole was injured following a hooking penalty by Lauri Korpikoski. He skated off hunched over in pain, but there was no word on the nature or severity of the injury. Consider him day-to-day.
Kronwall was a late scratch for Tuesday’s game against the Coyotes. There was no indication that Kronwall was battling any sort of injury, but he was held out because of a lower-body injury. He was replaced by Jakub Kindl and is considered day-to-day.
Varlamov allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Avs’ loss in Calgary on Monday. After winning the first six games of March, Valamor has dropped his last two starts while stopping 60 of 66 shots (.909 SV%). Tonight Varlamov will take on an Oilers team who rank 26th in the NHL with 2.30 gaols per game.
Scrivens surrendered four goals on 24 shots in the Oilers loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. Scrivens has gone 2-1-1 with a 2.91 GAA and .885 SV% in his last four starts. Tonight he will face an Avalanche team who are 6-2-1 while averaging 2.78 goals per game in the month of March.
uick allowed one goal on 20 shots in the Kings 3-1 win over the Devils last night. Quick will go on back-to-back nights. He doesn’t usually start on no rest, but with a limited workload last night and the Kings in desperate need of points, they will go back to Quick.
Hutchinson allowed three goals on 19 shots in the Jets loss to the Panthers on March 12th. Ondrej Pavelec has started the last five games, including last night so Hutchinson will get the start tonight in Vancouver. Hutchinson has gone 10-4-3 with a 2.70 GAA and .905 SV%.
Lack allowed one goal on 26 shots in the Canucks win over the Kings on Saturday. He was given Sunday night off but it looks like he is back in tonight vs. the Jets. Lack has gone 6-2-1 with a 2.24 GAA And .927 SV% in March. Tonight Lack will take on a Winnipeg team who have won five in a row while averaging 3.2 goals per game.
