Gaustad missed Thursday’s practice and will be held out of the lineup on Saturday. The Predators are expected to get a few injured players back that day so no call-up is expected to be forthcoming.
Sheahan was scheduled to be back in the lineup on Tuesday, but he was scratched because of a setback. It was obviously only a minor setback because Sheahan has been cleared to return tonight vs. the Bruins. Sheahan will centre the Red Wings centre line with Darren Helm and Tomas Tatar on his wings.
Stoll has missed the last 10 games, but he will be back in tonight vs. the Oilers. He will skate on the third line with Dustin Brown and Trevor Lewis on his wings. Stoll has 15 points (6G / 9A) in 67 games this season.
Pearson, 21, was set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season, bus is now signed through the 2016-17 season. Pearson has been out since January 10th because of a broken ankle, but has 12 goals and four assists (16 points) in 42 games this season.
Lander has registered six goals and 11 assists (17 points) in 33 games with the Oilers this season. Lander was set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season, but is now signed through the 2016-17 season.
Ristolainen was held out of Wednesday’s game with an illness, but he is expected to be available for Friday’s contest vs. the Blackhawks. Ristolainen has three goals and one assist in his last three games.
Hedman will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury. He missed the morning skate so his status for Saturday’s game in Florida remains cloudy.
Johnson skated in the Lightning’s morning skate, but will be held out for a third consecutive game because of an undisclosed injury. Johnson remains day-to-day, so monitor his status prior to Saturday’s game in Florida.
Price allowed four goals on 43 shots in the Canadiens 5-3 loss to the Lightning on Monday. Price was 5-5-2 with 2.08 GAA, .949 SV% and three shutouts in March. Tonight he will start against the Capitals for the second time this season—Price posted a 36-save shutouts in the first meeting.
Nielsen was listed as questionable for tonight’s game, but he will be in the lineup tonight in Columbus. Nielsen comes in with two goals and one assist in his last six games and 42 points (14G / 28A) in 76 games this season.
Krug did not participate in the Bruins morning skate because of an illness, but he could still be in the lineup tonight in Detroit. Boston has recalled Joe Morrow from Providence (AHL) in case Krug is not available tonight.
Khudobin allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Hurricanes OT loss to the Bruins on Sunday. He has lost five starts in a row while posting a 2.30 GAA and .913 SV%. Tonight he meets a Panthers team who are desperately trying to keep their playoff hopes alive despite having lost three of five.
Bishop allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Lightning’s 5-3 win over the Canadiens on Monday. He was given Tuesday night off, but will be back in goal tonight vs. the Senators. Bishop has gone 2-0-1 with a 1.62 GAA and .940 SV% in his first three starts against Ottawa this season.
Smith-Pelly was a healthy scratch in the last two games, but will be back in the lineup tonight vs. Washington. He has registered just one assist in 15 games with the Canadiens, after posting 17 points (5G / 12A) in 54 games with the Ducks before the trade. He will replace Brian Flynn in the lineup.
Price allowed four goals on 43 shots in the Canadiens 5-3 loss to the Lightning on Monday. Price was 5-5-2 with 2.08 GAA, .949 SV% and three shutouts in March. Tonight he will start against the Capitals for the second time this season—Price posted a 36-save shutouts in the first meeting.
Hammond allowed one goal on 17 shots in the Senators 2-1 shootout win over the Red Wings on Tuesday. Hammond has gone 15-1-1 with a 1.85 GAA and .938 SV% since being recalled. Tonight he draws a rough matchup against the Lightning—Hammond has gone 7-1-0 with a 2.74 GAA and .908 SV% at home this season.
Dubnyk made 31 saves on 32 shots in the Wild’s win over the Kings on Saturday. Four days off in between games is a huge help for Dubnyk, who will be starting his 35th consecutive game tonight vs. New York. Dubnyk comes in with a ridiculous 26-6-1 record, 1.70 GAA, .939 SV% and five shutouts since being traded to the Wild.
Holtby allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Capitals 4-2 win over the Hurricanes on Tuesday. Holtby has won three of his last four starts while posting a 2.76 GAA and .904 SV%. Holtby has gone 0-0-2 despite posting a 0.94 GAA and .963 SV% in his first two starts against the Canadiens this season.
Halak allowed four goals on 25 shots in the Islanders win over the Red Wings on Sunday. March was quite the up-and-down month for Halak, who finished at 3-3-2 with a 2.24 GAA and .924 SV%. Tonight Halak will go up against a Blue Jackets team who have won seven consecutive games.
Monitor Datsyuk’s status leading up to Saturday’s game in Minnesota. He skated prior to Thursday’s game and said he feels better and is hoping to be back in on the weekend.
