Johnston has been a healthy scratch for the last four games, but will replace Alan Quine tonight in Buffalo. Johnston has one goal and one assist despite averaging 7:36 TOI in his first three games with the Islanders this season.
Kreider has been out with a blood clot since December 27th but he was able to skate before Wednesday’s morning skate. Kreider remains without a timetable for his return, but this is a positive step in his return.
Vatrano recorded one shot in 4:53 TOI before leaving last night’s game in Detroit. Vatrano is listed as doubtful with a lower-body injury, but there was a good chance he came out anyways with Brad Marchand returning from a five-game suspension.
Mrazek allowed one goal on 31 shots in the Red Wings shootout win over the Sharks on Wednesday. Mrazek has been excellent in his last five outings, going 3-1-0 while allowing just five goals on 144 shots (.965 SV%) and two shutouts. He will look to stay hot tonight vs. a Hurricanes team that shutout the Montreal Canadiens last night.
Mrazek stopped 17 of 18 shots after replacing Jimmy Howard in the Red Wings loss to the Blackhawks last Thursday. Mrazek has played extremely well recently, stopping 109 of the last 113 shots (.965 SV%) that he has faced. Tonight he will take on a Sharks team that has lost three straight and will be without Joe Thornton for the third consecutive game.
Johnston has recorded one goal and one assist despite playing just 7:36 TOI/GM in three games since being recalled. With Casey Cizikas (upper-body) back tonight, Johnston will be a healthy scratch and will likely return to Bridgeport (AHL) in the near future.
Trouba suffered the ankle injury late in overtime of the Jets’ shootout loss to the Ducks before the All Star break. Trouba and Josh Morrissey have been the Jets’ go-to shutdown pairing this season so the absence of Trouba will test their blueline. With Trouba out until mid-March, Tucker Poolman is expected to be back in the Jets’ lineup on Tuesday.
Mrazek stopped all 37 shots that he faced in the Red Wings shutout win in New Jersey last night. Mrazek will start for the second straight night and comes in with shutouts in his lat two games—he has stopped the 64 shots he has faced. Mrazek has been up and down this season and doesn’t make for a safe option with a hot Flyers team in town.
Mrazek stopped all 27 shots that he faced in the Red Wings’ 4-0 shutout win over the Blackhawks on January 14th. Despite the shutout, Jimmy Howard started the next two games (both losses). He faced the Devils earlier this season, but didn’t finish the game—he allowed three goals on 24 shots in what ended up being a 4-3 OT loss.
Johnston has picked up three goals and eight assists (11 points) in 37 games with the Sound Tigers this season. His call-up is likely precautionary as the Islanders head out on a three-game road-trip. Johnston likely won’t play unless someone gets banged up on the trip.
Kreider is already out with a blood clot in his arm and will undergo surgery to have a rib resected and will remain out for an extended period of time.
Kreider reportedly left the first period because his arm felt weird and he was sent to the hospital where they discovered he has a blood clot in his arm. Kreider will be sidelined for an extended period of time. Players with similar blood clots have missed about 6-8 weeks.
Kreider did not return after the first period of Wednesday’s shootout win over the Capitals after sustaining an upper-body injury. Head coach Alain Vigneault said that they will have an update on Kreider on Thursday, so consider him questionable for Friday’s game in Detroit.
Mrazek allowed three goals on 24 shots before departing the Red Wings OT loss to the Devils with an injury. The injury was not serious as Mrazek was available to backup for the last two games and will start tonight in Montreal. Mrazek has not started a lot this season, but comes in at 2-3-0 with a 2.78 GAA and .913 SV% on the road.
