Thomas, 22, has nine goals and five assists (14 points) in 29 games with Hamilton this season. He has no points in three career NHL games. He skated on the Habs’ fourth line with Manny Malhotra and Michael Bournival.
Pulkkinen, 23, leads the AHL with 20 goals and is tied for second in points with 39. He failed to record a point in three games with the Red Wings last season. He is likely to make his season debut on Saturday in Washington.
Franzen suffered the injury on Tuesday vs. the Oilers. The is no word on the severity of the injury, but his placement on IR means that he will miss at least the next two games. Teemu Pulkkinen has been recalled with Franzen on IR.
Bishop allowed two goals on 22 shots in Tampa Bay’s 4-2 win over Montreal on Tuesday. He has won four of his last five games while posting a 2.37 GAA and .903 SV%. He is an absolute must-start tonight with the Sabres in town.
Ellis left after playing just 11:16 TOI and did not return. Ellis had been playing really well, having registered two goals and three assists in his previous three games—5G / 13A, plus-12 in 40 games this season. If Ellis misses an extended period of time, it could open the door for veteran Ian White to make it back to the NHL.
Kinkaid surrendered three goals on 25 shots in the Devils loss to the Canadiens last Friday. Cory Schneider faced 42 shots last night, so he will likely get the night off tonight vs. the Islanders. He made 31 saves in a 3-2 shootout loss in his first start vs. the Isles.
Montoya allowed a single goal on five shots after replacing the injured Roberto Luongo in Sunday’s loss to the Capitals. Montoya has gone 2-4-2 with a 2.61 GAA and .904 SV%—in his first start vs. the Flames, he was lit up for five goals on 24 shots in a 6-4 loss.
Quick was pulled after he allowed three goals on nine shots in the Kings 7-6 OT loss to the Predators last Saturday. With four days off in between games, the Kings will come back with Quick tonight vs.the Rangers. Quick is 13-3-2 with a 1.94 GAA and .931 SV% at home this season and catches a break with Cam Talbot, not Henrik Lundqvist getting the start.
Svedberg was pulled after he allowed three goals on 12 shots in the Bruins loss to the Blue Jackets on December 27th. Tuukka Rask started the last five games, but it will be Svedberg tonight vs. the Devils. He is 4-5-0 with a 2.46 GAA and .918 SV% on the year.
Coach Claude Julien does not think that Eriksson’s injury is something that is going to keep him out long-term. He will be replaced by David Pastrnak tonight. Monitor his status leading up to Saturday’s game.
Lehtonen allowed five goals on 28 shots in Sunday’s OT loss to Chicago. The loss snapped a four game winning streak for Lehtonen, who was given Tuesday night off, but will be back in goal tonight. Lehtonen has gone 8-3-1 on the road this year, despite posting a less than stellar 2.95 GAA and .910 SV%.
Rinne allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Predators 3-2 victory over the Hurricanes on Tuesday. It was a nice bounce-back game for Rinne, who gave up six against the Kings. Rinne has gone 7-0-1 with a 2.81 GAA and .906 SV% in his last eight starts. He will make his third start of the season vs. Dallas—he is 2-0-0 with a 1.50 GAA and .943 SV% in the first two.
Bernier allowed five goals on 25 shots in the Maple Leafs 6-2 loss to the Capitals on Wednesday. He is 0-2-0 with a 4.08 GAA and .852 SV% in his first two starts in 2015. He will look to get into the win column tonight vs. Columbus—he made 28 saves in a 4-1 win in his first start vs. the Blue Jackets.
Copley, 22, has gone 6-3-1 with a 2.00 GAA and .921 SV% in 11 games with Hershey (AHL) this season. Justin Peters will go down to Hershey on a conditioning stint tomorrow and Copley is the most likely candidate to be recalled. He will likely backup Braden Holtby vs. Detroit on Saturday.
Braden Holtby will make his 23rd straight appearance tonight, which means that Peters has not started a game since November 29th vs. the Maple Leafs. He will start two games for Hershey (AHL) this weekend before returning to the team next week. That means Holtby will start his 24th straight on Saturday.
Holtby turned aside 31 of 33 shots in the Capitals win over the Maple Leafs last night. That is three straight wins while posting a 2.34 GAA and .930 SV%. Tonight will be his 17th straight start, he has gone 11-2-3 with a 2.17 GAA and .929 SV% in the previous 16.
Kopecky has missed the last four games with an undisclosed injury, but will be back tonight in Vancouver. To make room for the 32-year-old forward, Brandon Pirri will come out of the lineup.
Fleischmann missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury, but will be back in the lineup tonight in Vancouver. Fleischmann will replace Vincent Trocheck.
Gudbranson, who was back at practice earlier this week, will miss his third straight game with an upper-body injury. With Gudbranson out, Shane O’Brien will remain in the lineup.
Methot has only played in two games this season, but will play in his first game since December 6th tonight vs. the Avlanche. The Senators said who he would replace will be a game-time decision but it will likely be Chris Philips or Patrick Wiercioch.
