Bolland brings Stanley Cup experience to the Maple Leafs' lineup and will also solidify their third line. His return allows head coach Randy Carlyle to roll all four lines ore effectively, but don't expect Bolland to be flying around the ice tonight, this is a very difficult injury to come back from.
Raffl played more than he usually does after Steve Downie got hurt in the first period this afternoon. He has nine goals and 12 assists (21 points) in 56 games this season. Raffl has good speed and can also play a strong defensive-minded game. He's played on all four of the Flyers' lines this season and has excelled on the penalty kill. The $1.1 million AAV is a very friendly cap hit for the Flyers, but the contract has firmly cemented Raffl in the club's plans at the NHL level next season.
Ryan had to be helped off of the ice after crashing into the boards in this afternoon's game vs. the Stars. Ryan was a minus-1 in 15:16 before departing for the dressing room. It immediate concern is an ankle or knee injury, expect an update in the next 24-hours.
Chad Johnson started the last two games, so it looks like a near certainty that Rask will get the nod tonight in Phoenix. Rask stopped 33 of 34 shots in a 4-1 win over the Wild on Monday. He has won each of his last six starts while holding opponents to nine goals (1.50 GAA). Tonight, he will look to record the 12th straight win for Boston.
Halak stopped 27 of 28 shots in a tough-luck shootout loss to the Kings on Thursday. Since be acquired by the Capitals, he has started all seven games, posting a 4-2-1 record with a 2.13 GAA and .935 SV%. Tonight, he faces a Sharks team he was 0-2-0 against with the Blues.
Quick stopped 21 of 22 shots in a shootout win over the Capitals on Thursday. After losing two in a row, Quick got back to his winning ways and will look to chalk up his 23rd of the season when the Kings host the Panthers this afternoon. Quick has gone 14-10-1 at the Staples Center.
Luongo stopped 20 of 22 shots in a loss to the Coyotes on Thursday. Bobby Lu has stopped 72 of 76 (.947 SV%) shots in the first two games of this current West Coast road-trip. He will take on the 39-25-6 Kings this afternoon.
Smith stopped 22 of 23 shots in a win over the Panthers on Thursday. He has won his last three straight starts with a 2.00 GAA and .935 SV%. Smith enters play vs. the Bruins tonight with a 7-3-0 record in March. He has been great as of late, but no one has been as tough of an opponent as the Bruins.
Lehtonen allowed five goals on 32 shots in a 5-1 loss to the Penguins on Tuesday. It was a tough matchup to return from a concussion, but he draws an easier assignment this afternoon. Lehtonen will face a Senators team who have lost five in a row and seven of their last eight.
Niemi stopped 16 of 18 shots in a win over the Ducks on Thursday. After seeing his five-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday, Niemi bounced back nicely to record his 35th win of the season. Tonight, he faces a Capitals team he beat with 35 saves in a 2-1 shootout final in December.
Downie was injured in the first period of this afternoon's game after a collision with Patrik Berglund. Downie was down on the ice for a few minutes before being helped off. Michael Raffl will likely see the majority of Downie's shifts.
Moving Ashton back to the minors opens up the roster spot needed to activate Dave Bolland from IR.
Albert only suited up for one game during his most recent call-up. He was injured in that game and with Jim Slater ready to return, Albert returns to the AHL.
Diaz was traded to the Rangers for a fifth-round pick at the trade deadline, but has yet to suit up for his new club. Tonight, he will slide in for John Moore who is out with an upper-body injury. Diaz has 13 points (1G / 12A) with a minus-7 rating in 52 games this season.
Moore was injured in last night's win over the Blue Jackets. Moore appeared to suffer a head injury on a hard collision along the boards. He will be replaced by Raphael Diaz, who is making his Rangers debut.
Quick stopped 21 of 22 shots in a shootout win over the Capitals on Thursday. After losing two in a row, Quick got back to his winning ways and will look to chalk up his 23rd of the season when the Kings host the Panthers this afternoon. Quick has gone 14-10-1 at the Staples Center.
Mason allowed two goals on 35 shots in a 4-2 win over the Stars on Thursday. He has won each of his last three outings and has gone 9-2-1 with a 2.39 GAA and .919 SV% since the start of February. He draws a tough assignment this afternoon against the Blues.
Byfuglien was on the ice at the Jets' morning skate after missing Wednesday's game and Friday's practice. It was always believed that he would be able to play Saturday, but Paul Maurice reminded us this morning that he expects to have Big Buff back in his lineup tonight vs. Carolina. The defenseman turned forward has 19 goals and 33 assists (52 points) with a minus-16 rating and the seventh most
Bogosian was on the ice for the Jets' morning skate and head coach Paul Maurice reiterated that he expects Bogosian to return tonight after being a late scratch in Wednesday's game. Bogo has three goals and eight assists with a plus-3 rating in 54 games this season.
Price allowed three goals on 40 shots in a loss to the Blue Jackets on Thursday. He has given up 10 goals on 102 shots (.902 SV%) while going 2-1-0 in three starts since returning from a lower-body injury. Tonight, he starts vs. the Leafs, a team he has gone 1-2-0 with a 3.38 GAA and .903 SV% against this season.
