Gustavsson injured his shoulder on the Rangers’ overtime game winning goal by Derrick Brassard. Gustavsson’s injury will give 22-year-old Petr Mrazek a chance with the Red Wings for the next couple of weeks.
Wisniewski had a “good day” on Wednesday and should be available for Friday according to head coach Todd Richards. “He was able to shoot pucks, wrist shots and slap shots,” Richards said. “He’s getting close.” Wisniewski learned he would not need surgery on the finger after taking another set of x-rays on Tuesday. With Jack Johnson suspended, getting Wisniewski’s return would be huge for the Blue Jackets.
Backstrom surrendered three goals on 28 shots in a win over the Bruins on October 28th. He has allowed five goals on 44 shots (.886 SV%) in his two starts this season. Today, he draws a fairly tough matchup against a Senators team who are playing great hockey right now.
Anderson stopped 31 of 32 shots in the Senators win over the Red Wings on Tuesday. He snapped a two-game losing streak and now sits 3-2-1 with a 2.15 GAA and .939 SV%. He will get the nod against a Wild team who have won five of seven and sit 7-4-0 on the year.
Marincin has one assist with a minus-2 rating in eight games with the Oilers this season. Despite losing Andrew Ferenece to a suspension, the Oilers are comfortable enough with Keith Aulie to send Marincin back to OKC.
Pakarinen, 23, has five goals and three assists in his first seven games in North America with OKC (AHL). The 2011 seventh round pick (2011) will likely make his NHL debut on Thursday with Leon Draisaitl and Nail Yakupov as his line mates.
Niemi stopped 19 of 20 shots in the Sharks win over the Islanders last Saturday. He has three of his last far while holding the opposition to seven goals on 133 shots (.947 SV%). Tonight he takes on the Canucks at home, he is 1-1-0 at SAP Center so far.
Allen stopped all 26 shots that he faced in the Blues 1-0 win over the Devils on Tuesday. He has stopped all 50 of the shots that he has faced in his last two starts and should make for a good start tonight as he takes on the Devils again, this time in St. Louis.
There was no word earlier in the day that Perry wouldn’t play, but he is a late scratch tonight vs. the Islanders. Expect Dany Heatley to draw into the lineup. Consider him day-to-day.
There was no word earlier in the day that Getzlaf wouldn’t play, but he is a late scratch tonight vs. the Islanders. Expect Rickard Rakell to draw into the lineup. Consider him day-to-day.
LaBarbera stopped 16 of 18 shots in a win over the Avalanche on Sunday. It was a completely random start for him and tonight he was not expected to start either. He faces a solid Islanders team and it likely to late to even consider him for a spot-start.
Jurco has just two assists in the first 12 games of the season for the Red Wings. He has averaged 12 minutes a game but will be replaced but Andrej Nestrasil tonight in New York.
Nestrasil served as a healthy scratch in the Red Wings two losses on Sunday and Tuesday. He had recorded one assists and a minus-1 rating in 10 games this season. He will replace Tomas Jurco in the lineup tonight.
Cleary has served as a healthy scratch for the entire season, but after two losses in the row, the Red Wings will shake things up, which means Cleary in Joakim Andersson out.
Williams was cut near his eye by a high stick on Tuesday and says he is dealing with blurred vision this afternoon. The injury will keep him out of the lineup, which means Andy Andreoff will draw back into the lineup.
Johnson will miss this Friday and Saturday’s games as well as next Tuesday in Washington. He is eligible to return next Friday in Philadelphia. The Blue Jackets are already depleted with injuries, so a suspension was the last thing they needed.
Williams was cut near his eye when he was clipped with a high stick last night in Dallas. The Kings will take on the Islanders on Thursday, so monitor his status during tomorrow’s morning skate.
The Islanders first line left-wing spot has been a revolving door to start the season. Cory Conacher and Brock Nelson have occupied that spot previously, now Kulemin will get a twirl there. He has one goal and five assists in 11 games this season.
Stuart suffered a hamstring injury in the Avalanche loss to the Canucks last night. With Stuart out, Zach Redmond will slide back into the lineup and likely be paired with Nick Holden.
Berra allowed four goals on 36 shots in the Avs’ loss to the Panthers on October 21st. Berra is 1-0-1 with a 2.07 GAA and .932 SV% so far this season. He will take on a Maple Leafs team who have won three of their last four while outscoring their opponents 13-6.
