Cizikas left Thursday's game in the first period and did not return. He took a high hit that obviously caught him in the jaw. No word on the severity of Cizikas' injury, for now consider him day-to-day. This injury guarantees that Ryan Strome will make his NHL debut tonight. Cizikas
Nabokov missed the last 12 games with a groin injury. He served as Kevin Poulin's back-up on Thursday but appears to be getting the call tonight. Before he was injured he struggled at times, posting a 5-5-3 record with a 3.30 GAA and .892 SV%. In his first game back he draws a tough matchup against a solid Canadiens team.
Lehtonen surrendered three goals on 30 shots in a loss to the Predators on Thursday. It was his third straight loss and his seventh in the last eight games. Three of those losses have come in extra-time, but it is obvious that Lehtonen has gone ice cold. Today he is expected to face a Jets team who is 2-2-1 in their last five.
Skille recorded two goals on 10 shots in six games during his most recent call-up. With several Blue Jackets getting ready to come off of IR, they have returned Skille to the AHL.
Pretty incredible that Stamkos is back on the ice one month and three days after breaking his leg. He was in a track suit this morning, but it is still fantastic news. He will continue to skate as he works his way back and will continue to be monitored closely. He is way ahead of schedule on his recovery which is great news for fantasy owners, the Lightning and Team Canada.
While this is a great sign for Gaborik, he will not play Saturday against the Blues. He has been out since November 14 with a sprained knee. His original timetable was four-to-six weeks and he is just over the four week mark now. Consider him questionable for Monday's meeting with the Jets.
Ramo stopped 29 of 30 shots in OT win over the Hurricanes on Thursday. After sitting for most of November, Ramo has outplayed Reto Berra as of late. He has won three of his last four starts, while posting an impressive 1.43 GAA and .946 SV%. He could make for a good start today as the Flames travel to Buffalo.
Luongo stopped all 19 shots that he faced to earn his third shutout of the season on Friday vs. Edmonton. He only faced 19 shots which enables John Tortorella to turn to Bobby Lu again tonight against the Bruins. The last time the Bruins were in Vancouver they were winning game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals and caused riots in the streets. Luongo and his 8-5-3 home record will be looking for revenge tonight.
Beauchemin has missed the lat 10 games with an upper-body injury that he suffered on November 20. Beauchemin was a fantastic plus-15 with six assists in the first 24 games, so expect him to pick up where he left off on Sunday.
Emmerton had one assist in five games during his most recent call-up. The Red Wings obviously feel they can get more out of Luke Glendening as their fourth line centre, as he was recalled with Emmerton going down.
Glendening has no points and a minus-3 rating in nine games with the Red Wings. With Cory Emmerton going the other way Glendening will very likely be in the lineup on Saturday.
Eaves failed to record a point in three games with the Red Wings before getting sent down. Eaves was placed on waivers but went unclaimed, in his time with Grand Rapids he had four goals and two assists in eight games.
Zucker was recalled on December 10 and appeared in Wednesday’s game at Anaheim. The 21-year-old has registered 18 shots in seven games with Minnesota this season and owns seven points (4G / 3A) in 33 career NHL games with the Wild. Zucker has tallied 12 points (7G / 5A) and 49 PIMs in 16 games with Iowa this season.
Haula has recorded 14 points (7-7=14) in 20 games with Iowa this season. The 22-year-old ranks tied for first on the team in scoring and power-play goals with four, is tied for second in goals and tied for third in assists. He recorded an assist in his NHL debut on November 29 vs. Colorado and has two assists in six games with Minnesota this season.
It is a good sign that Staal is able to take part in workouts less than a week after suffering a concussion, but he will need to be cleared medically and start skating with the team before he can return to the lineup. Expect him to miss at least one more week.
Dubnyk allowed three goals on 18 shots before being pulled last night vs. the Bruins. Things will not get any easier for Dubnyk tonight as he takes on the Canucks. In his first meeting with the Canucks he was yanked after allowing five goals on 31 shots. He would be an extremely risky play tonight.
Anderson appeared to find his game on Thursday against the Sabres. He stopped 40 of 41 shots in a 2-1 win. He will get the nod on Saturday, but draws a very difficult matchup with the Kings coming to town. Anderson is 4-6-1 with a 3.35 GAA and .892 SV% at home.
Halak allowed three goals on eight shots before being pulled last Saturday. It was a rough outing and resulted in Brian Elliott getting the next two starts. He has a good matchup on Saturday when the Blues travel to Columbus. Halak is 6-3-0 with a 2.20 GAA and .914 SV% on the road.
Kane had not skated since last week and has missed the last five games with a lower-body injury. The Jets will take on the Stars tomorrow, so monitor Kane's status for the morning skate, but it looks like he is questionable to dress.
Howard's tough season continues. This injury could keep him out of the Winter Classic and makes Jonas Gustavsson the unquestioned number-1 in Detroit. Gustavsson is owned in just 34% of Yahoo! leagues and with the way he has played this season could become one of fantasies best goalies while Howard is out.
