Crawford stopped 21 of 23 shots in the Blackhawks 6-2 win over the Sabres on Saturday. With three days rest in between games, the Hawks are able to come back with Crawford tonight vs. the Flames. He has started the season with two great performances and expect that to continue tonight vs. a Flames team playing in the second game of a back-to-back.
The Hurricanes said that the X-rays came back negative after Sekera crashed into the boards in the first period. That is positive news that Sekera may not miss an extended period of time with what looked to be a dangerous play. The Hurricanes are already missing their top-3 forwards, they can't afford to lose Sekera for a long time. Expect a more detailed update on Wednesday or Thursday.
Fasth left late in the first period when he stretched out to make a save on Tanner Pearson. He had given up three goals on 11 shots prior to getting injured and the Oilers went on to lose 6-1. An update on Fasth will likely be released on Wednesday and if the injury is serious expect Richard Bachman to be recalled.
Nichushkin, 19, has been dealing with the nagging injury for about six weeks and it has not improved, so the Stars will shut him down for "about a week" and let it heal. With Nichushkin out, Colton Sceviour got a chance on the Stars top line on Tuesday and produced one assist, three shots and a plus-3 rating. The Stars believe there is a seven to 10 day window before Nichushkin rejoins the team for practice.
Smith gave up six goals on 27 shots to the Jets in the season opener. He took a seat while Devan Dubnyk won against the Kings on Saturday, but the Coyotes will turn to Smith tonight vs. the Oilers. The Oilers have yet to get into the win column and are on the tail-end of a back-to-back, so Smith should be able to bounce-back tonight.
Gardiner was on the ice for warmups but did not take part in line rushes, so he will sit for the second straight game. When Randy Carlyle was asked what he wants Gardiner to do when he gets back in the lineup all he had to say was "play better." It is clear that Carlyle is not happy with Gardiner's play early in the year.
Gudas is not on the ice for warmups so he will not play tonight. He will be replaced by Andrej Sustr. No word if he is dealing with an injury or just being rested.
Lehtonen stopped 24 of 26 shots in a shootout loss to the Blackhawks in the Stars season opener. He took a seat while Anders Lindback started on Saturday but he will get back in tonight vs. Columbus. The Blue Jackets are 2-0-0 but their lineup is banged up so Lehtonen should make for a strong start tonight.
Andersen only had to stop 11 of 12 shots to earn a 5-1 win over the Sabres last night. Despite head coach Bruce Boudreau saying both goalies would play twice on this road trip and most people believing that John Gibson would go tonight, it is Andersen who will put his 2-0 record on the line tonight vs. the winless Flyers.
Horvat, 19, has missed time due to a shoulder injury suffered in the preseason, but he is nearing a return which means he is nearing his NHL debut. The 2013 ninth overall pick had 30 goals and 44 assists (74 points) in 54 games with the London Knights of the OHL last season. He is a big body at 6-foot, 206 lbs. and is ready to make an impact at the NHL level.
Darnell Nurse will get into the lineup tonight with Petry taking a seat despite being completely healthy. Petry has not recorded a point with five shots and an EVEN rating while playing an average of 18:32 in the first two games.
Nurse, 19, was the seventh overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. He will replace Jeff Petry in the Oilers lineup tonight and likely skate with Andrew Ference. He had 13 goals and 37 assists (50 points) in 64 games in the OHL last season.
Fasth stopped 39 of 43 shots in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Canucks on Saturday. Ben Scrivens did not have the best outing in his season debut either, so the Oilers will go back to Fasth tonight vs. the Kings. The Oilers are without Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, so it is hard to believe in Fasth tonight.
Nugent-Hopkins was reportedly injured on a hit in the Vancouver game on Saturday. He won't play tonight and should be considered questionable for tomorrow's game. Mark Arcobello will centre the top line with RNH out.
There was no word on what is ailing Eberle, but he will not play tonight and should be considered questionable for Wednesday. With Eberle out, Teddy Purcell will start the game on the first line.
Quick allowed three goals on 40 shots in a OT loss to the Coyotes on Saturday. It was a nice bounce-back game for Quick who was yanked in the home opener. He has a great chance to record his first win of the season tonight with the 0-1-1 Oilers in town. Quick is a must-start with Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins likely out.
RNH missed practice on Monday with an undisclosed and is not practicing on any particular line this morning, which would suggest he is not playing tonight. Mark Arcobello is skating in his spot on the top-line, so if RNH can't go expect that the be the case tonight. We will get an update following the skate.
Eberle did not skate on Monday and is not on the ice this morning. Yesterday was believed to be a "maintenance" day, but his absence today as well likely suggests he won't play tonight vs. the Kings. A full update on Eberle's status should be available upon the completion of the morning skate.
Quick allowed three goals on 40 shots in a OT loss to the Coyotes on Saturday. It was a nice bounce-back game for Quick who was yanked in the home opener. He has a great chance to record his first win of the season tonight with the 0-1-1 Oilers in town. Quick is a must-start.
Hudler missed Saturday's game with the flu, but will be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Predators. Hudler already has two goals and one assist in two games this season.
