Murphy, who was recalled this morning will be in the lineup tonight vs. the Penguins. The 21-year-old bluelliner has 17 assists in 23 games with Charlotte this season. Murphy also has 13 points (2G / 11A) in 58 career NHL games.
Coach Alain Vigneault will speak to the media at 4 PM ET and likely announce if Girardi will be in the lineup tonight. Girardi has a swollen ankle after being hit by a shot on Monday.
Brodin will miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury, but look for him to be back on Friday vs. the Maple Leafs. Monitor his status during Friday’s morning skate.
Niemi gave up three goals on 29 shots in the Sharks loss to the Kings on Saturday. Alex Stalock got the call last night so it looks like it will be Niemi tonight in Anaheim. Niemi is 6-1-1 in December and 2-0-1 with a 2.65 GAA and .920 SV% against the Ducks this year.
Halak allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Islanders win over the Capitals on Monday. He has won his last five starts while allowing just nine goals on 109 shots (.927 SV%). He will take on the Jets in Winnipeg—Halak has gone 7-3-0 with a 2.29 GAA and .923 SV% on the road this season.
Mason allowed three goals on 24 shots in the Flyers loss to the Coyotes on Monday. It was a rough loss for Mason, who has now dropped his last three starts. He will look to close out 2014 with a W—he is 6-11-5 with a 2.52 GAA and .919 SV% so far this year.
Scrivens stopped 37 of 39 shots that he faced in the Oilers win over the Kings last night. It was a massive win for Scrivens, who will start on back-to-back nights for the second time this season. The first time he allowed six goals on 29 shots in a losing effort, so tread with caution.
Komarov is expected to return tonight and activating him from IR all but guarantees that he will be back in the Leafs lineup tonight vs. the Bruins.
Bennett is expected to return tonight and activating him from IR all but guarantees that he will be back in the Penguins lineup tonight vs. the Hurricanes.
Ehrhoff is expected to return tonight and activating him from IR all but guarantees that he will be back in the Penguins lineup tonight vs. the Hurricanes.
Friberg failed to record a point while playing 8:47 in his NHL debut on Sunday. His return to the AHL opens up a roster spot for Corey Perry to be activated from IR.
The Ducks have sent Max Friberg back to the AHL which is a sign that Perry will be activated from IR and be in the lineup tonight vs. the Sharks. He has been out since December 5th, but this would be a perfect way for the Ducks to end 2014. Perry has 14 goals and eight assists (22 points) in 23 games.
Pavelec gave up four goals on 23 shots in the Jets loss to the Flyers on December 21st. Michael Hutchinson has started the last three games, but Pavelec will get back between the pipes tonight vs. the Islanders. In Pav’s first start vs. the Isles, he allowed three goals on 21 shots in a 4-3 win back in October.
Montoya allowed four goals on 32 shots in the Panthers loss to the Sabres on December 13th. Roberto Luongo started the last six games, but it will be Montoya tonight in New York. He is 2-2-2 with a 2.26 GAA and .915 SV% on the year.
Del Zotto has been a healthy scratch in the last nine games, but he will get back into the lineup tonight vs. the Avalanche. He has eight points (2G / 6A) in 24 games this season. He will be paired with Andrew MacDonald.
Jooris has missed the last three games with a wrist injury, but he will be back tonight vs. Edmonton. Jooris has eight goals and five assists (13 points) in 28 games this season. He will skate on a line with Joe Colborne and Paul Byron.
Bernier stopped all 43 shots that he faced in the Leafs 4-0 shutout win over the Stars last Tuesday. He missed the last two games with an illness, but it looks like he will be back in goal tonight vs. the Bruins. He is 14-8-3 on the season and comes into play tonight at 1-1-0 with a 2.88 GAA and .902 SV% vs. the B’s this year.
Komarov took part in the morning skate and it looks like he will return to the lineup tonight vs. the Bruins. Komarov has been sidelined with a concussion since November 29th. Look for him to play on the third line with Peter Holland and Mike Santorelli.
Dubnyk allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Coyotes win over the Flyers on Monday. He has won the last three games with a 1.30 GAA and .958 SV%. Tonight he will face a Stars team who have won six of their last seven games.
