O’Reilly had one assist in two games with the Sabres earlier in the season and is expected to be back in the lineup tonight with Sam Reinhart sidelined. O’Reilly has 23 points (4G / 19A) in 35 games with Rochester.
Reinhart suffered an upper-body injury on Wednesday and will miss at least one week as a result. With Reinhart out, the Sabres have recalled Cal O’Reilly and Matt Moulson is expected to play on the top line.
McCabe was a healthy scratch on Wednesday, but with Josh Gorges back out, McCabe will re-enter the lineup on Friday. McCabe has three goals and five assists in 43 games this season.
Gorges missed two games but returned on Wednesday only to be scratched again tonight due to an undisclosed injury. With Gorges back out, Jake McCabe will be back in the lineup.
Lehner allowed two goals on 35 shots in the Sabres loss to the Avalanche on Wednesday. He has lost each of his two starts since returning from an ankle injury, but he has played well. So far, he has stopped 60 of 65 shots (.923 SV%) but will be looking for his first win of the season tonight vs. the Red Wings. Detroit comes in averaging 2.38 goals per game (16th) on the road this season.
Hannikainen has no points in four games with the Blue Jackets, but has 11 points (5G / 6A) in 17 games with Lake Erie. He has been returned to the AHL because Nick Foligno and Matt Calvert are expected to be activated from IR.
With Sergei Bobrovsky suffering a lower-body injury on Thursday, Forsberg has been recalled from Lake Erie. Forsberg has gone 1-3-0 with a 3.03 GAA and .907 SV% with the Blue Jackets and 13-7-3 wit ha 2.56 GAA and .906 SV% with Lake Erie.
Bobrovsky was in his second game back from an extended absence due to a groin injury. His injury ravaged season continues and the Blue Jackets recalling Anton Forsberg suggests that Bobrovsky will miss some time.
With Willie Mitchell out with a lower-body injury, Dylan Olsen has been recalled to be the Panthers seventh defenseman. He has one assist in eight games with the Panthers this season.
Luongo allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Panthers loss in Tampa Bay on Sunday. Al Montoya started on Monday, so Luongo will go tonight vs. the Blackhawks. Luongo has lost three in a row and is now 3-2-1 with a 2.24 GAA and .933 SV% in January. The Blackhawks winning streak was snapped at 12 last night, but there are much better matchups out there tonight.
Hamonic has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury, but he will return to the lineup tonight in Ottawa. With Hamonic back in, Scott Mayfield will be a healthy scratch. Hamonic has two goals and six assists in 41 games this season.
Halak stopped 25 of 26 shots in the Islanders shootout loss to the Canucks on Sunday. Since returning to the Islanders crease, Halak has gone 1-2-1 with a 2.21 GAA and .930 SV%. Halak will take on the Senators for the second time this season—in their first meeting he allowed three goals on 29 shots in a 3-2 OT loss.
Varlamov allowed one goal on 28 shots in Colorado’s win over the Sabres on Wednesday. Varlamov has won two in a row while allowing just two goals on 65 shots (.969 SV%). Varlamov draws a tough matchup vs. the Blues who have won five of their last six games, including three in a row.
Quick allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Kings win over the Stars on Tuesday. Quick has won three of his last four and has gone 9-1-1 with a 1.72 GAA and .938 SV%. Quick has been outstanding and he draws an excellent matchup tonight with the Wild in town. Minnesota has lost five in a row and Quick stopped 25 of 26 shots in a 2-1 OT win against them back in October.
Niemi gave up four goals on 39 shots in the Stars loss in San Jose last Saturday. Niemi has dropped four straight games while posting a 3.75 GAA and .878 SV%. The Stars have struggled recently, but they draw a strong matchup tonight vs. a banged up Oilers squad. I his first start in Edmonton, he allowed two goals on 24 shots in a 2-1 OT loss.
Granberg has been a healthy scratch in the last four games, but will be in the lineup tonight in Winnipeg. Granberg has no points in 13:12 TOI in his season debut on January 9th. Anthony Bitetto will be a healthy scratch with Granberg back in.
Rinne allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Predators loss to the Blackhawks on Tuesday. Rinne has lost five consecutive starts while posting an ugly 3.73 GAA and .845 SV%. Rinne has struggled mightily in the last month, winning just two of his last nine games with a 3.39 GAA and .868 SV%. Don’t rely on Rinne the No. 1 netminder you drafted him as.
Despite leaving Monday’s game after crashing into the net , Hoffman will play tonight vs. the Devils. Hoffman will skate on a line with Zack Smith and Mark Stone.
Hoffman suffered a neck injury Monday, but he is on the ice for warmups, so it doesn’t look like he will miss any time. Expect an update about five minutes before puck drop.
Turris will not play on Thursday because of an ankle injury he suffered on Monday. The Senators have a back-to-back tonight and tomorrow, so his status for Friday’s game is also up in the air.
