Kuemper allowed two goals on just 19 shots in a 7-2 blowout win over the Lightning on Saturday. The 24-year-old netminder has been sensational to start 2014-15 posting a 4-1-0 record with an 0.80 GAA and .966 SV%… Oh and THREE shutouts. Tonight he goes head-to-head with on of the NHL's best in Henrik Lundqvist, but the way things are going for Kuemper and the Wild right now, he is a must-start in all formats until further notice.
Cammalleri was undergoing X-rays on his jaw this morning after being elbowed in the face in Friday's game against the Stars. There is no word whether he will be in the lineup on Tuesday or not, but if he does not play, expect Reid Boucher to make his season debut.
Boucher, 21, was the 99th overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft. He had seven points (2G /5A) in 23 games with the Devils a season ago and could make his season debut tomorrow vs. the Penguins. Boucher has recorded one goal and three assists in six games with Albany and skated on a line with Adam Henrique and Michael Ryder on Monday morning. Whether or not he plays tomorrow likely depends on the health of Michael Cammalleri who was not on the ice this morning because he was undergoing X-rays.
Havlat, who suffered severe face lacerations last week is reportedly dealing with other issues not related to his face and that is the reason he has been place on IR. There is no timetable for his return and the Devils recalled Reid Boucher to round-out the 23-man roster.
Islanders head coach Jack Capuano said that the news on Bailey was "better that we initially thought." He added that Bailey has a "good chance" to travel with the team despite dealing with a broken hand on Saturday. There is no timetable for when we can expect him to be back in the lineup, but this is better news than the original diagnosis.
Maatta, 20, has been cleared to play until the time of the surgery. Dr. Dharmesh Vyas, the Penguins’ team physician said he will likely be able to return to the lineup within four weeks. “Obviously our first concern is for Olli and his health,” Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said. “He is an outstanding young man and has a tremendous future ahead of him. The doctors tell us that this is a very treatable condition, and that it can be taken care of with the surgery."
Hamonic will not be in the lineup on Tuesday vs. the Jets, but head coach Jack Capuano said there is a "good chance" that Hamonic travels with the team on their upcoming five-game road-trip that starts Thursday in Colorado.
The Blues are not in action tonight, so do not be too concerned, it is likely just a maintenance day for Tarasenko. He will probably be back on the ice for the Blues morning skate tomorrow and play vs. the Stars.
Kane started skating by himself on Friday and was on the ice with his teammates this morning. Kane has missed seven games with a knee injury he suffered in the regular season opener. He has reportedly been progressing well, but likely won't be available tomorrow, but Thursday seems like a real possibility.
Kopitar left Sunday's game with an upper-body injury and did not return. Kopitar was rocked by Tim Erixon and retired to the dressing room shortly after. The Kings say they are "going to be careful" with Kopitar's injury, so there is a good chance he won't be available on Tuesday vs. the Flyers. A more detailed injury report is expected to be available tomorrow.
Jenner has been sidelined since the preseason after undergoing surgery to repair a broken hand. Jenner is nearly four weeks into a five-week timetable, so his return to the ice appears to be right on schedule. Expect him to skate with the Blue Jackets throughout the week and likely return this weekend or next week.
Atkinson missed Sunday's game because he was cut by a skate near the eye on Saturday and the swelling was too substantial for him to play. His return to practice suggests that the swelling has subsided and he could be back in the lineup on Tuesday vs. Ottawa.
Stastny is not taking part in line rushes or shooting, but he continues to skate as he works his way back from a shoulder injury. Not shooting is not an encouraging sign that he is getting close, but it is a step in the right direction.
Gonchar is three and a half weeks into a 3-5 week timetable for his return from a fractured ankle. Gonchar's return to practice is a positive, but he skated on the 'fifth line' this morning which means he likely won't be back on Tuesday. Expect an update after practice, but it looks like Gonchar won't return until Friday at the earliest.
Nichushkin has missed the last six games with groin/hip injuries, but was back on the ice this morning. Despite returning to practice, Nichushkin skated on the Stars 'fifth-line' which suggests he is nearing a return, but it will not be on Tuesday vs. St. Louis. After tomorrow, Dallas is off until Friday, that seems like a more realistic return date.
Hayes was one of the last players on the ice at the Rangers morning skate which suggests he will serve as a healthy scratch tonight vs. Minnesota. He was also bumped off of the power-play, which is another sign that he will not play. Ryan Malone is expected to take his spot in the lineup, with Martin St. Louis moving to his spot as the first line centre. Hayes has one goal and one assist in six games.
With Derek Stepan still sidelined with a fractured fibula, the Rangers have been searching for someone to centre their top-line all season. St. Louis started the season there but has spent that last week back on the wing. Tonight, it looks like Kevin Hayes (who was centring the top-line) will be a healthy scratch with Ryan Malone entering the lineup. This would mean that St. Louis would move back to the middle, likely between Rick Nash and Chris Kreider. However, head coach Alain Vigneault said the lineup has not been finalized. We will likely have to wait until pre-game warmups to determine the lines and scratches.
Killorn was held out of Saturday's game, but said that he is very close to returning to the lineup. He has missed a total of four games with an undisclosed injury, but Jonathan Marchessault and Mike Blunden were both reassigned to the AHL this morning, which suggests that Killorn, who is practicing this morning, will be back in the lineup on Tuesday. He has two goals and five games.
Brown missed Saturday's game with an upper-body injury he suffered early in Friday's clash with the Jets. Brown returning to practice and Jonathan Marchessault and Mike Blunden being reassigned to Syracuse (AHL) this morning suggests that Brown will be back in the Lightning lineup on Tuesday. Expect a full update after practice.
Blunden had a minus-1 rating in 9:25 of playing time in his second game of the season with Tampa Bay. With Blunden heading back to Syracuse, expect J.T Brown and/or Alex Killorn to be back in the Lightning lineup on Tuesday. Blunden has four points (2G / 2A) in six AHL games.
