Gustavsson is reportedly dealing with a minor issue and won't dress as the back-up tonight. Howard will be backed-up by Jordan Coreau who was recalled on Thursday.
Boychuk has totaled four points (1G / 3A) in 10 NHL games this season. He ranks first in the AHL in goals (36) and second in points (72) in 66 games played for Charlotte. Boychuk, 24, is also first in the AHL in power-play goals (18)
Theodore, 18, was selected in the first round (26th overall) in last year's draft. The 6-foot-2, 175 pound defenseman had 22 goals and 57 assists (79 points) in 70 regular season games with Seattle. His 79 points led the Thunderbirds and he also led all WHL defenseman in points.
Morrow suffered a foot injury in the team's morning skate, but the severity wasn't discovered until after he took pre-game warm-ups on Thursday. Morrow took a shot off his foot in the morning skate. He suited up for warm-ups several hours later, expecting to play, but experienced discomfort and returned to the locker room for tests that showed the injury is perhaps serious. The Blues will likely have to tap into their AHL affiliate for call-up help prior to tonight's game against Dallas.
It was Rupp's first game since February 1st but he only made it through half of the contest after he received a match penalty mid-way through the second period. A phone interview means the suspension will likely be less than five games. The biggest fallout of the hit is how serious Oshie's injury is and how much time will he miss?
Oshie was elbowed in the head by Wild tough-guy Mike Rupp. Oshie went down and took awhile to get to his feet. Rupp was assessed a match-penalty and will have a phone hearing Friday. The Blues are already without David Backes, so losing Oshie right before the playoffs would put a huge dent in their lineup. Consider him day-to-day until we get a more detailed report of his injury.
Coreau has been recalled to potentially serve as Jimmy Howard's backup on Friday. As has been the case on many occasions this season, Jonas Gustavsson is dealing with a minor injury and may not back up tonight. Coreau has gone 0-4-0 with a 4.39 GAA and .873 SV% with Grand Rapids this season.
Zetterberg had back surgery on February 21. While skating is a positive sign in Zetty's return to the ice, the Red Wings are still unsure when he will be back. At the time of surgery, the original timetable was eight weeks, which would see him return around game 4 of the first-round. They will not be able to pinpoint a date until Zetterberg is able to push himself in full team practices.
Howard turned aside 25 of 27 shots in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Sabres. He has won each of his last four starts while holding the opposition to two goals in each contest and posting a .929 SV%. Howie has brought his game to another level in the final month of the season and appears ready to try and carry the Red Wings into the post-season, much like he did last season. They have clinched a playoff spot, now games are about who they will face--Boston or Pittsburgh? Pick your poison.
Berra allowed five goals on 27 shots in a loss to the Jets in his only start with the Avalanche since being dealt to Colorado at the trade deadline. Between the Avs and Flames, Berra has gone 9-17-3 with a 3.02 GAA and .894 SV% in his first NHL season. The 27-year-old is already signed on to be Semyon Varlamov's backup next season, so the Avs would like to see some promise out of him tonight vs. the Sharks.
Teravainen has only played in three games since arriving to Chicago. He has not recorded a point, only four shots and one hit. Sending him to the AHL will give him a chance to play a bunch on minutes and get more acclimated with the North American game. There's no doubting this kid's talent, but he won't improve by sitting in the press box every night. He is a top prospect, with a very bright future ahead of him.
Doughty has been battling an upper-body injury, no word if he has re-aggravated the injury or if this is just rest related.
Jones allowed two goals on 21 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Sharks last Thursday. He has gone 11-6-0 with a 1.91 GAA and .932 SV% this season and will likely see a couple starts down the stretch as the Kings rest Jonathan Quick for the playoffs. He posted a 24-save shutout in his only other start vs. Edmonton this season.
Iggy has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, but he will play on Thursday vs. the Jets. He has 30 goals this season, so make sure he is in the lineup.
Tuukka Rask was the first goalie off of the ice at the morning skate, but that is why that is likely and not Confirmed. Johnson will get the nod vs. the Jets in the Bruins third to last game of the season. Johnson is an amazing 17-3-2 with a 2.12 GAA and .923 SV% this season. He makes for a great spot-start, but it is probably too late… Claude Julien gets us again.
Greiss allowed four goals on 30 shots in a OT loss to the Blue Jackets on Tuesday. He finally got some goal support, but it still was not enough as Greiss dropped his fifth straight game. It seems like neither the Stars or Coyotes want to get into the playoffs. Tonight, Greiss will face the Predators, a team he has already defeated once this season.
MacIntyre has played in five career NHL games, but has never started one of them. He has stopped 50 of 54 shots in games with the Canucks, Sabres and Leafs. WIth the Maple Leafs season over, MacIntyre will finally make his first NHL start at the age of 30. He went 27-15-3 with a 2.49 GAA and .918 SV% with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) before being recalled.
Holtby stopped 28 of 29 shots in a 4-1 win over the Blues on Tuesday. He has won two in a row with a 1.92 GAA and .940 SV%. THe Capitals have been mathematically eliminated from the post-season, so the remaining three games are simply a formality. Holtby has had a tough time vs. Carolina this season--going 0-2-0 with a 4.26 GAA and .881 SV%.
Murphy, 21, has totaled 12 points (2G / 10A) in 48 NHL games with the Hurricanes during his first full professional season. He has also played 19 AHL games for Charlotte in 2013-14, earning 19 points (1G / 18A). Murphy ranks second among Checkers defensemen in assists this season, and third among team blueliners in points. HIs return means Mike Komisarek will suit up tonight.
