Ponikarovsky tweaked something last night and will not play tonight. He has five goals and 11 points through 17 games with the Devils.
Alexei Ponikarovsky News
Ponikarovsky is expected to play through the bruise. He has a goal and three points in four games with the Devils.
Ponikarovsky begins his career with the Devils on the third line. Expect him to provide solid two-way play while chipping in offensively.
Ponikarovsky should add depth to the Devils' forward corps. Through 49 games with Carolina, he scored seven goals and 15 points. Despite moving to a defensive system, expect him to get a slight boost in fantasy hockey value.
Poni is demoted to the fourth line. He has seven goals and 15 points over 48 games.
Ponikarovsky gets a slight boost moving up to the top line. The scoring winger only registered two goals and three points over 15 games but has only one assist over his last 10 games.
Ponikarovsky moves back to a scoring line after playing briefly on the third. He has two goals and three points over his initial 14 games.
Poni has two goals through his first seven games as a member of the Canes. After scoring only five goals last night he likely returns to the 15-20 goal range while playing a scoring role in Carolina; value in only deeper leagues at this point.
Ponikarovsky will skate on the team's second scoring line alongside Jussi Jokinen and Tuomo Ruutu. In the team's most recent game Poni added one of their two goals which indicates coach Paul Maurice wants more offense. Expect him to move between the top three lines over the season.
Earlier in the offseason it looked like Staal would be flanked by Jeff Skinner and Andrew Stewart. Expect plenty of line juggling in the early going as coach Paul Maurice likes to have options.