Gustafsson had been recalled because Niklas Backstrom was sidelined for a couple of days after receiving a cortisone shot. Gustafsson returns to the AHL where he is 7-7-1 with a 2.75 GAA and .910 SV%.
Coach Peter Horachek said the injury isn't considered serious adding that Barkov was lifted from the game for precautionary reasons. Barkov, the second-overall pick of the 2013 draft, leads the Panthers in points with 24 in 50 games. Barkov is day-to-day and should be in the lineup on Friday vs. Colorado.
Weiss' original timetable was eight weeks after undergoing surgery on a sports hernia. His participation in the morning skate suggests that Weiss could return before the Olympic break opposed to after. The Red Wings are hoping that Weiss can find his Panthers-form because he has struggled mightily to this point.
Reimer allowed three goals on 30 shots in a shootout win over the Sabres on Wednesday. With the Leafs on the tail-end of a back-to-back and Bernier starting last night, the Leafs will turn to Reimer. He has a tough matchup in Colorado tonight. The Avalanche rank 6th in the NHL with 2.90 goals-per-game.
Lehtonen allowed four goals on 23 shots in a loss to the Predators on Monday. He has lost three straight while allowed 10 goals. Lehtonen is 1-6-1 with a 3.47 GAA and .888 SV% in January. Tonight he will face the Wild who he lost to 3-2 in OT on Saturday.
Jones will make his first start since January 2, he was yanked that evening after allowing two goals on 14 shots in the first 31 minutes. With Ben Scrivens getting traded, Jones becomes the permanent backup. He was 8-3-0 with a 1.41 GAA and .950 SV% so far this season. He will need to be at his best tonight as he goes head-to-head with the red-hot Sergei Bobrovsky.
Thomas missed Monday's start vs. the Penguins because he was under the weather. He is feeling better tonight and he get the call against the Sabres. In his last start he allowed three goals on 39 shots in a loss to the Hurricanes on Saturday. In his first start vs. the Sabres this season, he stopped 23 of 24 shots in a 2-1 shootout win.
Ovechkin was listed as a game-time decision, but he will miss his third game of the season tonight vs. Ottawa. Troy Brouwer will move up to the top-line with Ovi out. Monitor his status prior to Friday's game in New Jersey.
“Val is going back in,” Lindy Ruff said. “This was to recharge Val and get him going again. It’s hard, because we miss him when he’s out of the lineup, we miss the Val that had lots of energy and skated well. It’s hard to say an 18-year-old is a big part of our team, but he’s a big part of our team, and when he’s going well, we’re a better team.” Those are pretty complimentary words for Nichushkin, who has 22 points (9G / 13A) in 46 games. There is no word on how the Stars lines will shake out, but we guess that coach Ruff goes back to his old lines, which will see Nichushkin skating with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn.
Pavelec allowed two goals on 22 shots in a win over the Oilers on Saturday. After serious struggles in December, Pavelec has won three straight while posting a 1.66 GAA and .921 SV%. He draws a terrible matchup tonight in Anaheim against the NHL's top team.
Thomas missed Monday's start vs. the Penguins because he was under the weather. If he is feeling better tonight, he get the call against the Sabres. In his last start he allowed three goals on 39 shots in a loss to the Hurricanes on Saturday. In his first start vs. the Sabres this season, he stopped 23 of 24 shots in a 2-1 shootout win.
Voracek was injured on Monday night after being slashed in the hand. If he can't go expect Chris VandeVelde to slide back into the lineup and for the lines to be shuffled.
Mitchell missed his second consecutive practice because of the flu and his availability for tonight's matchup with his former team in jeopardy. Mitchell will be a game-time decision.
If Johnson is unable to play, Karl Stollery will enter the lineup. Johnson has not recorded a point in his last five games, but has 20 points (7G / 13A) with a plus-13 rating in 48 games this season. Monitor his status during pre-game warmups.
Parenteau missed 10 games with an MCL injury, but will return tonight vs. the Maple Leafs. He will be eased into the lineup and skate on the Avs fourth line with Patrick Bordeleau and Marc-Andre Cliche. On a busy Tuesday he should probably be left on the bench until his role is expanded.
Khudobin stopped 15 of 17 shots after replacing Justin Peters on Sunday. With Peters struggling it is no surprise that Khudobin will likely start tonight in Philly. Since returning from his ankle injury Khudobin is 5-2-0 with a 2.07 GAA and .935 SV%. He already has one win over the Flyers this season.
Reimer allowed three goals on 30 shots in a shootout win over the Sabres on Wednesday. With the Leafs on the tail-end of a back-to-back and Bernier starting last night, the Leafs will probably turn to Reimer, but we won't know until warmups for certain. He has a tough matchup in Colorado tonight. The Avalanche rank 6th in the NHL with 2.90 goals-per-game.
Luongo stopped 31 of 33 shots in a shootout win over the Flames in his return to the Canucks crease on Saturday. His return was overshadowed by a line-brawl two seconds into the game, but it was a great first game back for Bobby Lu. He should make for a great start tonight vs. an Oilers team who have lost four straight.
