This move effectively ends Klesla's NHL career. Klesla refused to report to Rochester (AHL) after being dealt to Buffalo at the trade deadline. Unconditional waivers means the Sabres will buy out his contract and any other team can pick him up for $125. Yep, no joke $125 dollars.
The Panthers season is all but over so there is no reason to get Barkov back in the lineup. They are expected to rest him for the remainder of the year and get him going for 2014-15 after great rookie campaign.
Varlamov allowed two goals on 31 shots in Thursday's 3-2 shootout win over the Rangers. Varlamov has allowed two goals in each of his last four starts and has won five in a row with a .929 SV%. He will go four his 40th win of the season this afternoon in St. Louis.
Smith will miss his sixth straight game tonight, but the Coyotes are likely to have more information before next week's road-trip (Tuesday-Thursday).
Lupul is in danger of missing his second straight game with a lower-body injury. The exact nature of the injury is not known, but it looks like it will hold him out of tomorrow's meeting with the Jets. Jerry D'Amigo will likely stay in the lineup if Lupul is unable to go.
Spooner did not get into a game during his recall.
Downie has missed the last six games with a concussion he suffered on March 22nd. Since returning to Philadelphia early in the season, Downie has 17 points (3G / 14A) in 49 games. If he returns, expect Vincent Lecavalier to move up from the fourth line and Tye McGinn to be sent back to Adirondack (AHL).
After signing a five-year $24.5 million dollar deal with the Red Wings this offseason, Weiss scored just two goals with two assists in 26 games… Yikes. Making an average of $4.9 million of the next four years, the Red Wings are certainly hoping for a healthy Weiss next year. Paying a player over a million dollars per point is not what GM Ken Holland is in to.
Emery stopped all 28 shots that he faced in a 1-0 shootout loss to the Blues on Tuesday. He was rewarded with the shutout, but not the win. The Flyers' backup has posted a 1.59 GAA and .947 SV% in his three most recent starts. Philly has not done him any favours starting him vs. the Hawks, Kings and Blues, now he will face the Bruins this afternoon.
Zetterberg injured his back at the Olympics and has not played for the Red Wings since February 8th (final game before the break). Zetterberg was not expected to be back until the second round of the playoffs, but the Red Wings announced today that he could potentially return midway through the first round (if all goes well).
Bernier was injured on Thursday night and will now miss the rest of the regular season and start of the playoffs (if the Leafs qualify). The last time Bernier was hurt, James Reimer struggled and the Leafs went on a big-time losing streak that may end up costing them the playoffs. Reimer will get a chance to redeem himself in Toronto's remaining four games.
Cowen will miss his third straight game tonight, and will likely miss his fourth and fifth on Saturday and Tuesday. Patrick Wiercioch will stay in the lineup with Cowen out.
Halak was pulled after allowing three goals on 23 shots in the first 30 minutes of Tuesday's 5-0 loss to Dallas. He has lost each of his last four starts with a 2.94 GAA and .905 SV%. He has a strong matchup against a Devils team who are 3-4-3 in their last 10.
Bobrovsky is coming off of a 37-save shutout against the Flyers last night, but will start again tonight vs. the Blackhawks. It was Bob's fourth shutout of the season, and they will continue to ride him as they chase a playoff berth. Bobrovsky was pulled in his only start vs. Chicago this season, but this time around their is no Toews or Kane in the Hawks lineup.
Foligno was injured in Thursday's 2-0 win over the Flyers. The Blue Jackets have just six games left in the regular season, so it looks like he will sit and hope they make the playoffs so he can return and help his squad.
Datsyuk will return to the lineup tonight vs. the Sabres, but Mike Babcock is not sure if he will play tomorrow vs. the Canadiens as well.
Gustavsson stopped 26 of 28 shots in a 3-2 win over the Lightning last Sunday. Jimmy Howard has really turned things around lately, which has limited The Monster's starts. However, Gustavsson has been solid when called upon this season, going 16-4-3 with a 2.53 GAA and .912 SV% in 24 starts. He made 30 saves in a 4-1 win over Montreal the only time he faced them this season.
This morning was the first time that Alfredsson skated since Sunday's game. The Red Wings have a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday, so don't be surprised if Alfie sits tonight and returns on Saturday vs. the Canadiens.
Luongo missed the last three games after suffering a concussion on March 27th, but it looks like he will be back tonight vs. Calgary. He has gone 4-5-1 with a 2.54 GAA and .923 SV% with the Panthers. He will face a Flames team he is familiar with from his days in Vancouver.
Murray has been out since March 3rd after undergoing knee surgery. Nick Schultz will likely come out of the lineup with Murray back in. He has 20 points (3G / 17A) in 61 games this season.
