Gardiner was on the ice for warmups but did not take part in line rushes, so he will sit for the second straight game. When Randy Carlyle was asked what he wants Gardiner to do when he gets back in the lineup all he had to say was "play better." It is clear that Carlyle is not happy with Gardiner's play early in the year.
Andersen only had to stop 11 of 12 shots to earn a 5-1 win over the Sabres last night. Despite head coach Bruce Boudreau saying both goalies would play twice on this road trip and most people believing that John Gibson would go tonight, it is Andersen who will put his 2-0 record on the line tonight vs. the winless Flyers.
Head coach Bruce Boudreau said both goalies would play twice on this road-trip which suggested John Gibson would start tonight after Andersen started vs. the Sabres last night. I guess we will have to wait until pre-game warmups to see who gets the start. Andersen faced just 12 shots (stopped 11) in the afternoon game yesterday, so he is fresh enough to play the back-to-back.
Andersen allowed two goals on 29 shots in a 3-2 win over the Red Wings on Saturday. John Gibson was lit up in his first start, so the Ducks will go to Andersen for two straight games. He is a must-start against Sabres this afternoon.
Gardiner led the Maple Leafs in ice-time on Saturday (23:04) but will not play on Sunday with Cody Franson returning from a knee injury. There is no word on whether Gardiner is dealing with an injury, but you have to think they would not make him a healthy scratch.
Stastny missed practice friday but was back on the ice for Saturdays morning skate and is expected to in the line up vs the Flames. Stastny scored in his Blues debut and with snipers Vladimir Tarasenko and Alex Steen on his wings, Stastny is set up for another good year so get him in your line up when he's healthy.
Stastny was shaken up on a hit by Dan Girardi in last night's loss vs the Rangers. He stayed in the game and said that he was fine after the game. It appeared as if he got caught in the quad and could be suffering from a charlie horse, an injury that tends to tighten up the following day. Expect Stastny to play on Saturday vs. the Flames.
The other member of the Ducks' goaltending tandem John Gibson was shelled for six goals on 39 shots in a 6-4 loss to the Penguins in the season opener. Andersen had a 20-5-0 record with a 2.29 GAA and .923 SV% in his first NHL season and followed it up with a nice preseason, so expect another strong season behind a great Ducks team. He will face the Red Wings, who beat the Bruins 2-1 in their opener.
The designation to long-term IR means that Stepan is ineligible to play until the Rangers' 11th game of the season on November 3rd against the Blues. Martin St. Louis is expected to start the season in Stepan's spot on the Rangers' top-line.
Stepan is expected to miss the first 9-12 games so the Rangers will need someone to fill that hole for a month. Martin St. Louis volunteered to move to centre, but that is unlikely. This should open the door for Derick Brassard to play on the first line and give J.T Miller a huge opportunity to showcase his talent.
Staal had a bad year in 2013-14 and the Hurricanes were looking for a bounce-back season, but this is not a good start. The injury likely means that Elias Lindholm will be thrust into a larger role this season. Don't expect to see Staal until late December or mid-January.
Staal was injured in a collision with Sabres' defenseman Josh Gorges. He left the ice unable to put any weight on his leg and was seen leaving the rink on crutches with a cast on his ankle/foot. Head coach Bill Peters did not have an update on Staal, but did say "I'm concerned, for sure." Stall will return to Carolina to be reevaluated.
Stepan will likely miss the preseason opener after suffering a bruised foot while blocking a shot in an informal skate. The injury is not serious and Stepan will be ready to go when the games start to count.
Ehlers, 18, was selected ninth overall in the draft this summer. He has tremendous speed and an excellent wrist shot. He posted 49 goals and 55 assists (104 points) in 63 games with the Halifax Mooseheads last season. Ehlers was named the CHL's rookie of the year. He stands in at 5-foot-11, but needs to fill out (163 lbs.) to play in the NHL. He will probably return to juniors for one more season.
Gardiner, 24, set new career-highs in goals (10), points (31) and power-play points (11) in 2013-14. The 2008 17th overall pick has shown flashes of brilliance in his first three NHL seasons but needs to work on being more consistent. He has the potential to be a top-30 fantasy defenseman this season.
Stastny, 28, gets big money from the Blues after scoring 25 goals with 35 assists (60 points) in 71 games. Stastny heads to St. Louis where his dad played in 1993-95 and gives the Blues four very good centres.
All signs pointed towards Stepan returning to the Rangers' lineup tonight, but head coach Alain Vigneault made it clear that it is not up to Stepan whether he plays tonight. Stepan will be monitored and evaluated by the medical staff this afternoon, before a decision is made on his status for game five. Consider him a game-time decision.
Stepan is on the ice with a full facial shield ahead of game 5. Stepan missed game 4 after having jaw surgery following a game 3 broken jaw. There is a chance Stepan could be in the lineup tonight, but it won't be announced until after the gameday skate.
Stepan's jaw was broken on a hit by Habs' forward Brandon Prust in game 3 on Thursday. Prust has a hearing for a possible suspension as a result of the hit. Head coach Alain Vigneault would not commit to a timetable on Stepan's return, but more details are expected to be released following surgery.
Andersen was injured in game 3 and has not played since. Rookie John Gibson has filled in exceptionally for Andersen. The Ducks could close out the series tonight, but the crease appears to be Gibson's until further notice.
