Wisniewski missed the last six games with an upper-body injury he suffered against the Wild on December 6. Wisniewski is one of the Blue Jackets top-scorers with two goals and 16 assists in 28 games. Saturday will be a good day for Columbus who will also get forward Marian Gaborik back from a knee injury.
Gaborik has been sidelined for almost five weeks with a knee sprain. In his first full season with the Blue Jackets, he was slow out of the gate registering 11 points (6G /5A) in 17 games. In 16 contests without Gaborik the Blue Jackets went 7-7-2. He skated on a line with Artem Anisimov and Nick Foligno in practice this morning so expect that to be a line tomorrow, barring any changes in the game-day skate.
McElhinney surrendered five goals on 39 shots in a 5-4 loss to the Flyers. The Blue Jackets will get Marian Gaborik and James Wisniewski back on Saturday when they take on the Flyers again. McElhinney is 3-2-0 with a 2.64 GAA and .918 SV% since taking over as the Blue Jackets starter.
Zibanejad did not practice this morning after leaving Thursday's contest in the first period and not returning. The Senators have not provided any further information on his injury other than he is day-to-day. It seems extremely unlikely that he will suit up on Saturday.
Helm took line-rushes with Daniel Alfredsson and Riley Sheahan this morning which was a positive sign, but post-practice he told reporters he doesn't think he is quite 100%. Helm is targeting Monday to return to the Red Wings lineup.
The injury reports on Letang have been extremely vague, but obviously it is obvious that he is dealing with some sort of arm injury. He has already been ruled out of the next two games as he won't return until after the Christmas break.
Staal started the season relatively slowly posting three goals and six assists in his first 18 games, but has ramped up his game since registering six goals and 13 assists (19 points) in his last 16. He is currently riding a modest three-game point streak and has registered at least one point in 14 of his last 16 contests.
Bulmer totalled six shots and two PIMs in four games with Minnesota after being recalled December 12. The 21-year-old has recorded 12 points (9G / 3A), 20 PIM and three power-play goals in 21 games with Iowa this season.
Getzlaf had to get stitches after being hit from behind by Red Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey on Tuesday. Getzlaf continues to produce at an elite level, posting three goals and five assists in December and 16 goals and 23 assists (39 points) in 33 games overall.
Horton said he is "good" for some contact but still is not a "full-go'. Horton is still aiming to return to the lineup after Christmas.
Malkin will miss his fourth straight game since suffering a lower-body injury last Saturday. Malkin continues to skate so it does not appear that Malkin will be out long-term. Consider him day-to-day.
Grubauer allowed four goals on 28 shots in a 5-4 shootout win over the Flyers on Sunday. In four starts he is 3-0-1 with a 2.06 GAA and .937 SV%. He has played one period against the Hurricanes this month after relieving Braden Holtby on December 3. He came in and stopped all nine shots that he faced during the final frame.
Anderson allowed four goals on 35 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Panthers on Thursday. After giving up four goals it is a bit of a surprise to see the Senators turning to him against Phoenix on Saturday. Anderson stopped 37 of 40 shots in a 4-3 OT win over the Coyotes on October 15.
Gustavsson allowed two goals on 22 shots in a 3-2 OT win over the Flames on Thursday. He gave up a weak goal in the first period, but was able to recover and lead the Red Wings to their first W in seven games. He will take on his former team in Toronto on Saturday.
DeKeyser's original timetable was 3-6 weeks and he will have returned in four weeks. He has not played since November 19, but will suit up against the Maple Leafs on Saturday. There is no word on who will come out of the lineup with DeKeyser back, but he did take Jakub Kindl's spot on the second power-play unit, so it could be Kindl or Brian Lashoff.
Bogosian has been out since November 15, but will be back on a pair with Tobias Enstrom vs. Florida tonight. Bogosian has one goal, three assists and a plus-8 in 21 games.
Pavelec gave up four goals on 31 shots in Tuesday's loss to the Sabres. The loss marked five straight as his last win came on December 2. Tonight he will face the Panthers for the second time this month. In the firs tempting he surrendered five goals on 26 shots in a 5-2 loss in Florida.
Hiller shut the door on 16 of 18 shots in a easy 5-2 win over the Red Wings on Tuesday. Hiller has now win five straight starts and is 5-0-1 with a 1.79 GAA and .939 SV% in December. Hiller will take on the Devils for the second time this season, he allowed gave up four goals on 25 shots in a 4-3 OT loss the first time around.
Grubauer allowed four goals on 28 shots in a 5-4 shootout win over the Flyers on Sunday. In four starts he is 3-0-1 with a 2.06 GAA and .937 SV%. He has played one period against the Hurricanes this month after relieving Braden Holtby on December 3. He came in and stopped all nine shots that he faced during the final frame.
Raanta stopped 27 of 28 shots in a 3-1 defeat of the Predators on Tuesday. Take out the rough outing against the Maple Leafs, Raanta has won his other five starts while allowing just eight goals. He will be between the pipes with Canucks in town, he is 3-0-1 with a 1.82 GAA and .936 SV% at home.
