Lupul apparently tweaked something in the Maple Leafs win on Tuesday and it could keep him out of Friday's clash with the Red Wings. Lupul has two goals and one assist in four games, but will be replaced by Brandon Kozun tomorrow if he can't go.
After a brutal collision with the end-boards on Tuesday, it was a great sign that Sekera was able to skate this morning. He took line rushes with Justin Faulk, which suggested he might play tonight, but the Hurricanes ultimately decided to keep him out tonight and let him rest before Tuesday's game.
Skinner skated for the second straight day, but will not play tonight vs. the Rangers. After tonight, the Hurricanes are of until Tuesday, so they are electing to give their young star four extra days to rest before he returns to the lineup.
Khudobin allowed four goals on 31 shots in a 4-3 loss to the Islanders last Saturday. Cam Ward has lost each of his two starts, so the Hurricanes will turn to Khudobin to try and get them in the win column tonight. The Canes are ravaged by injuries, making Ward and Khudobin risky investments right now.
Lehtonen stopped 33 of 35 shots in Tuesday's win over the Blue Jackets. Lehtonen has enjoyed a nice start to the 2014-15 season, going 1-0-1 with a 1.92 GAA and .934 SV% in his first two starts. He will make his third straight start against a 2013-14 playoff team when the Stars take on the Penguins and their 5.50 goals per game tonight in Pittsburgh.
Khudobin allowed four goals on 31 shots in a 4-3 loss to the Islanders last Saturday. Cam Ward has lost each of his two starts, so it looks like the Hurricanes will turn to Khudobin to try and get them in the win column tonight. The Canes are ravaged by injuries, making Ward and Khudobin risky investments right now.
Stalock stopped all 30 shots he faced in a 3-0 win over the Jets in his season debut. Antti Niemi is coming off of a rough night where he allowed five goals, so it is no surprise to see the Sharks go to Stalock tonight. He will take on the Islanders who are averaging a robust 5.00 goals per game in their first three games.
Lundqivst allowed six goals on 27 shots in a 6-3 loss to the Islanders on Tuesday. It was the second straight game that 'King Henrik' has allowed six goals and he now sits with an ugly 5.41 GAA and .816 SV%. You might remember Lundqvist having a brutal start last season as well, so I wouldn't panic, especially tonight against a depleted Hurricanes team.
Sekera is on the ice this morning and is actually paired with Justin Faulk which suggests he might be available tonight. It would be pretty remarkable if Sekera plays considering how hard he crashed into the boards on Tuesday. Expect an update after the skate.
Typically a player who is available for the evening's game will take part in line rushes with the line that he will play with that night, with Skinner not taking part, it suggests he is not ready to return to the lineup on Thursday. Expect an update following the morning skate.
Jones' movement to IR allowed the Flames to call-up Josh Jooris without having to send anyone down. There is no timetable for Jones' return.
Emelin missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, but will replace Nathan Beaulieu in the lineup tonight vs. the Bruins. Emelin will be paired with PK Subban and on the point of second power-play unit. He has two assists and a plus-2 rating in the first two games of the season.
Fleury allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Penguins win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday. With four days off between games, the Penguins will go back to Fleury tonight vs. Dallas. He is 2-0-0 despite allowing six goals with an .889 SV% in the first two games of the season. Goal support will be there all season long.
Schneider allowed a single goal on 27 shots in the Devils' 2-1 win over the Lightning on Tuesday. The win moved Schneider to 3-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .937 SV% on the young season. He is getting tons of goal support to start the year and he might need it tonight against a Capitals team who have 10 goals in three games.
Holtby was yanked after allowing three goals on seven shots in the first 9:34 of Tuesday's shootouts loss to the Sharks. Despite Justin Peters stopping 14 of 16 shots after, the Capitals will go back to Holtby tonight. New Jersey surprisingly sits third in the league with a 4.33 goals per game through three games.
Halak stopped 40 of 43 shots in a 6-3 win over the Rangers on Tuesday. Halak has had an excellent start to his Isles career. He is 2-0-0 despite allowing three goals in each start, while posting a .910 SV%. The GAA is bound to come down and the Islanders are happy ti be getting W's. It won't be easy tonight with the undefeated Sharks in town.
Jooris, 24, was an undrafted free-agent who has no points in two games in his second AHL season. He had 11 goals and 16 assists (27 points) in 73 games a season ago.
Atkinson missed Wednesday's practice, but is skating this morning. The Blue Jackets are off until Friday, so expect Atkinson to be in the lineup vs. the Flames. He has three goals and one assist in the first three games of the season.
Anderson stopped all 30 shots that he faced in a 1-0 win in Florida on Monday. Anderson has had a nice start to the season, posting a 1-1 record with a 1.51 GAA and .955 SV%. He will face a Colorado team who are having a hard time scoring early in the season.
Lupul was bothered by a right leg issue in Tuesday's game and it has kept him out of practice this morning. He reportedly skated prior to the practice, but did not stick around for the team skate. Brandon Kozun is skating in his spot on the second line. Expect that to be the case on Friday if Lupul can't play.
