Hossa missed the last two games because of a personal matter, but will be back in the lineup tonight. He has 10 goals and seven assists with a plus-15 rating in 20 games. Activate him in all formats.
Niemi allowed one goal on 19 shots in a win over the Devils on Saturday. It was not a very busy night for Niemi but he was ready when called upon, earning his 12th win of the season. Tonight he will face the Kings for the second time this season, the first time he allowed four goals on 23 shots in an overtime loss.
The Capitals said that Laich is being cautious with his lower-body injury and decided to take the morning off. It sounds like Laich will will be a game-time decision tonight. He has struggled this season, posting just three goals and two assists with a minus-10 rating in 24 games.
There is still no timetable for Horton's return but he continues to work his way back from offseason shoulder surgery. He was placed on LTIR last week which means he is still at least a couple of weeks from returning. The Blue Jackets are banged up, up-and-down the lineup so Horton's return could not come soon enough.
Raffl has been a healthy scratch for the last seven games, but will play tonight. My guess would be Jay Rosehill comes out and Raffl slots in on the fourth line. He has one assist and a minus-2 rating in 11 games.
Pyatt was injured in the season opener and says he feels like I can play right now, but has not been cleared medically at this time. He has 47 points in 219 career games, so he is not a realistic fantasy consideration.
Yakupov was given Tuesday off but he will be in the lineup on Thursday. Defensively, Yakupov is still a liabilitybut from an offensive and fantasy standpoint things are starting to trend in the right direction. He has three goals and three assists in his last seven games (1G / 2 A in first 16) and he is just a minus-1 in his last eight contests after being a minus-14 in his first 15. While he is no where near his 17 goals and 31 points from his rookie season, you have to keep in mind he is only 20-years-old and has tremendously high offensive upside. He is owned in 70% of Yahoo! leagues, but is playing top-6 minutes and on the top-power play, it is only a matter of time before the points start coming.
Anders Lindback will start tonight, but not because Bishop is hurt, because it was scheduled. Bishop or coach Jon Cooper offered much insight on the injury other that to say "I'm OK" and "he is fine. It sounds like the Lightning dodged a bullet and Bishop could be in net on Friday. Monitor his status tomorrow and Friday just to be sure that he is fine.
The Coyotes placed Rostislav Klesla on waivers yesterday, he cleared so likely going to the AHL, so Murphy will be in the lineup tonight. Murphy played 22:32 and scored his first career goal in his NHL debut on November 16. He scored in the NHL before he scored in the AHL, posting five assists in 12 games with Portland.
Doan left Monday's game after playing just 9:43 and did not return. He skated on Tuesday and was present during the Coyotes optional this morning. Head coach Dave Tippet said he is probable, which means he will play barring any setbacks between now and puck-drop. Doan has been on an absolute tear posting 10 goals and six assists in his last 15 games. His 11 goals have him tied for 16th.
Mitchell has missed the last three games after suffering an injury on November 19. He might remain on IR so that Jason Zucker can play tonight with Zach Parise out, which would mean Justin Fontaine would stay in the lineup.
Ballard missed the last nine games after suffering an upper-body injury on November 5 vs. Calgary. Ballard's return means that Mathew Dumba and Nate Prosser will sit. Ballard has four assists in nine games.
Niemi allowed one goal on 19 shots in a win over the Devils on Saturday. It was not a very busy night for Niemi but he was ready when called upon, earning his 12th win of the season. Tonight he will face the Kings for the second time this season, the first time he allowed four goals on 23 shots in an overtime loss.
It seems unlikely that Duchene will return tonight, but the status of "game-time decision" leaves the door open for him to improve as the day goes on. If he does not play it will be the fourth straight game that he will miss, but Friday seems like a definite possibility at this point. Monitor his status during pre-game warm-ups.
Fleury allowed four goals on 24 shots in an overtime loss to the Bruins on Monday. There was nothing he could do about the game-winner, it was an absolute rocket marked for the top corner. Fleury takes on the Maple Leafs at home tonight where he is 9-2-0 with a 1.54 GAA and .941 SV%.
Greiss saw his first action of November in a relief effort of Mike Smith last Saturday, he stopped all four shots that he saw. Smith has started the last 10 consecutive games posting a 3.10 GAA and .910 SV% so he is due for a breather. In limited action Greiss is 2-1-0 with a 2.37 GAA and .928 SV%.
D'Agostini has one assist in eight games with the Penguins this season. He should see a bump in ice-time heading from a good Pittsburgh team to a bad Buffalo team, but he still doesn't figure to be fantasy relevant.
Gardiner struggled against the Blue Jackets on Monday so he will take a seat to night in favour of Paul Ranger. Don't expect Gardiner to sit out too many games, but this coach Randy Carlyle sending him a message, that he needs more out of the young D-man.
Lupul was injured after playing just 11:57 in Monday's loss to Columbus. The Leafs are about to enter a busy stretch in their schedule, playing eight games in the next two weeks. Lupul has had a hard time staying healthy, so this should come to the surprise of no one.
McQuaid missed the last eight games, but could be back in the lineup tonight. He will take part in warm-ups and then coach Claude Julien will decide whether or not he plays.
