Weiss says he is feeling better, but there is no way of knowing when he will be ready. Weiss has reportedly been nearing a return a few times this season, but countless setbacks have really destroyed his first season with the Red Wings.
Yakupov will miss his fifth straight game with an ankle fracture. His participation in the morning skate is a sign that he is close to returning, but the Oilers are not going to risk him getting more injured in a lost season. We could see him on Sunday vs. the Rangers.
Belov has not played since February 27th. He missed a few weeks with an oblique injury but was declared healthy for last Saturday, but served as a healthy scratch in the last two games. He has six points (1G / 5A) with a minus-14 rating and 32 penalty minutes in 48 games this season.
Grabovski said earlier in the week that he believes that he is ready to go, but obviously the medical and coaching staffs disagree. With a back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday, the Capitals might just be saving him for Sunday so that he does not play on consecutive nights. Monitor his status on Sunday.
Whitney missed Thursday's practice, but was on the ice this morning and has been upgraded to a game-time decision. He will take part in warmups before deciding if he is healthy enough to go.
Datsyuk said on Thursday that he needs a few good team practices before he can return to game action, he has reportedly looked very good while rotating in on the top two lines this morning. This is a huge step for Datsyuk, who the Red Wings are eager to get back after dropping their last three contests. Do not expect to see Datsyuk in the lineup on Saturday or Sunday. However, if that changes we will let you know.
Ellis stopped 18 of 20 shots that he faced after replacing the injured Roberto Luongo in the second period of Thursday's 3-0 loss to the Hurricanes. With Luongo sidelined, Ellis will be called upon to fill the starter's shoes. In two starts and Thursday's appearance, Ellis has posted a 4.92 GAA and .852 SV% in his time with the Panthers.
Mason gave up three goals on 29 shots in a 3-1 loss to the Rangers on Wednesday. It was a key game for the Flyers, but they were unable to get the W. Mason had been on a four-game winning streak but now sits at 7-2-1 with a 2.49 GAA and .916 SV% in March. Tonight, he will face the Maple Leafs in another huge matchup. Mason has gone 0-1-1 vs. Toronto this season.
Lehtonen allowed three goals on 41 shots in a loss to the Blackhawks on Tuesday. He has closed the door on 96 of 101 (.950 SV%) shots he has faced in his last three starts. Lehtonen is rolling right now and draws a solid matchup tonight vs. the Predators. Nashville does not score a ton, but they put up six on the Sabres last night.
Luongo was absolutely run over by Radek Dvorak, who was given a five-minute charging call on the play. Luonogo finished the first period, but did not come back out for the second. With the Panthers way out of the playoff picture, they will play it safe with their star goaltender. Scott Clemmensen will be recalled and Dan Ellis will likely start tomorrow.
Bernier allowed four goals on 48 shots in a 5-3 loss to the Blues on Tuesday. It was his first game back from a groin strain, but it doesn't look like James Reimer was the issue as the Leafs are not doing their goalies any favours right now. He will look for a better outing tonight in Philly as the Maple Leafs look to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Anderson missed the last seven games with and undisclosed injury, but will be back in goal for the Sens tonight vs. the Blackhawks. In five starts after the Olympic break before he was injured, Anderson went 2-2-1 with a 3.17 GAA and .910 SV%. With Chicago in town, it won't be an easy return.
Lecavalier has struggled in five-on-five situations at times this year. He has 15 goals and 15 assists (30 points), seven of those goals and 11 of the 30 points have come on the power-play. Lecavalier has one goal and three assists in his last 10 games, which looks like it is going to force head coach Craig Berube to drop him between Adam Hall and Zac Rinaldo.
Bobrovsky departed Tuesday's game after the first period but did not skate this morning and will sit tonight while Curtis McElhinney gets the start. Bob skated after his teammates, so consider him day-to-day.
Mason gave up three goals on 29 shots in a 3-1 loss to the Rangers on Wednesday. It was a key game for the Flyers, but they were unable to get the W. Mason had been on a four-game winning streak but now sits at 7-2-1 with a 2.49 GAA and .916 SV% in March. Tonight, it looks like he will face the Maple Leafs in another huge matchup. Mason has gone 0-1-1 vs. Toronto this season.
McElhinney stopped 22 of 23 shots after replacing Sergei Bobrovsky in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Red Wings. Bobrovsky is battling with an illness, thus McElhinney gets the call tonight vs. the Penguins. He made a number of key saves vs. the Red Wings and played very well while Bob was injured earlier in the season. The Pens have struggled without Evegni Malkin (0-2) and have dropped six of their last eight.
Plekanec was one of the Habs best players in last night's 5-4 win over the Red Wings. He scored a pair of goals in the first period, but now may not be available for Saturday's contest in Florida.
Hurricanes forward Radek Dvorak crashed into Luongo at 12:48 of the first, driving him into the back of the net and knocking the goal off its moorings. Dvorak was given a major penalty for charging and was ejected. Luongo finished the period, in which he stopped 11 of 12 shots.
Couture was listed as a game-time decision after suffering a foot injury on Monday. Following Monday's game head coach Todd McLellan said that Couture was "fine" so it looks like Couture will be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Jets.
Lack stopped 29 of 31 shots in a 5-2 victory over the Wild last night. The Canucks continue to lean heavily on Lack, as he has started every game since the Olympic break. He has won his last three outings with only four goals allowed on 80 shots (.950 SV%). He draws a tough matchup tonight in Colorado.
