Krejci practiced on Tuesday, but was ruled out prior to the game. The Bruins did not have a morning skate because of the back-to-back, but coach Julien said that Krejci is a possibility for tonight. Monitor his status during pre-game warmups, which start at 7:30 PM ET.
Gunnarsson is close to returning, but he is not quite ready to be in the lineup tomorrow. Monitor his status leading up to Saturday’s game in San Jose.
Oshie missed Tuesday’s game due to personal reasons, but he is expected to play tomorrow vs. the Kings. Oshie has three goals and three assists in his last four games.
Brodeur allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Blues 4-2 win over the Panthers last Wednesday. He has played well in his three appearances with St. Louis—he is 2-1-0 with a 2.64 GAA and .904 SV%. He takes on a Kings team who have surprisingly dropped five of their last six while averaging just 2.17 goals per game.
Backstrom, who played last night for Darcy Kuemper (illness), could get back-to-back starts if he is well enough. Coach is expected to address the media at 6 PM ET, where he may announce if Backstrom is good-to-go. If not, we will have to wait for confirmation during warmups.
Curry was pulled off of the ice from his start with Iowa last night. He has been recalled as insurance for Niklas Backstrom tonight, but head coach Mike Yeo is hoping that Backstrom will feel well enough to start. If he is not, Curry will go.
Polak took part in Leafs practice on Wednesday and could be back in the lineup tomorrow vs. Carolina. He has been sidelined with a knee injury since November 22nd. Monitor his status in the morning skate.
Coach Craig Berube said that there is a chance that Lecavalier could be back in the lineup tomorrow vs. the Panthers. If Vinny gets back in, he will be playing centre. Lecavalier has six points (2G / 4A) in 16 games this season.
Mason allowed two goals on 22 shots in the Flyers 3-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday night. Mason has gone 2-1-1 with a 1.76 GAA and .936 SV% over his last four starts. He will take on a Panthers team who have alternated wins and losses in their last nine contests—they have averaged 2.44 G/PG over that span.
Kunitz took part in Penguins practice on Wednesday, but did not take any contact and is not quite ready to return to the lineup. Despite not being available for tomorrow’s game, it sounds like Kunitz is close to being back, which would be a huge boost for a Penguins team who is decimated by injury and mumps right now.
Crosby has missed the last three games with the mumps virus, but was on the ice this morning and GM Jim Rutherford said that “there is a chance” that Crosby plays on Thursday vs. Colorado. Monitor his status during the Penguins morning skate tomorrow.
Eller was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, but he skated as an extra, which suggests that he will not play tomorrow vs. the Ducks.
Grabner is eligible to return to the lineup on Saturday vs. the Lightning, but he has not skated since being injured, so do not expect him to play. His placement on IR and Griffin Reinhart’s return to the AHL opens up roster spots for Johnny Boychuk and Travis Hamonic to come off of IR for Friday’s game.
Elliott has been a light participant in a number of practices for the better part of two weeks. There has been no details on how Elliott’s injured knee is progressing or when he is expected to return to the crease. The Blues have went 7-2-0 without Elliott, so there is no rush to get him back between the pipes at this time.
According to head coach Jack Capuano, Hamonic is “coming along” and there is a “good chance” that he will play on Friday in Detroit. Hamonic has missed the last six games with an upper-body injury.
According to head coach Jack Capuano, Boychuk is “coming along” and there is a “good chance” that he will play on Friday in Detroit. Boychuk has missed the last nine games with an upper-body injury.
Etem, 22, has been recalled and will be in the lineup on Thursday. He will be filling in for Kyle Palmieri, who suffered a shoulder injury on Tuesday and will miss the next two games. Etem has four points (2G / 2A) in 21 games with the Ducks this season. In a short time with Norfolk, he collected three goals in five games.
Palmieri suffered a shoulder injury in the Ducks loss to the Maple Leafs last night. He has been sent back to Anaheim and will miss the remaining two games of the Ducks current road trip. Emerson Etem has been recalled and will skate in Palmieri’s spot on the second line.
Grigorenko was a minus-1 in 16:42 in his season debut on Tuesday. The Sabres are off until Saturday, so there is a good chance that Torrey Mitchell will be ready to return to the lineup. If not, expect Grigorenko to be recalled again.
Elias has missed the last five games with a groin injury, but will be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Senators. Elias will skate on the second line with Travis Zajac and Martin Havlat. He has 11 points (3G / 9A) in 26 games this season.
