Gardiner missed Friday’s practice and was only on the ice briefly this morning but head coach Mike Babcock expects him to play on Saturday. Justin Holl will also dress for warmups, so consider Gardiner a game-time decision because there’s obviously a little bit of concern.
Staal has been out with a concussion since December 22nd but is set to return to the lineup on Saturday. Activating him from IR all but guarantees that he will play for the first time in the 2019 calendar year.
Staal has been sidelined by a concussion since December 22nd but says he’s feeling good and expects to play on Saturday. It remains to be seen where Staal will slot into the lineup but he will most likely serve as the Hurricanes second-line centre and force either Greg McKegg or Saku Manalanen out of the lineup and likely back to the AHL. Staal has 11 points (5G / 6A) in 29 games this season.
Ehlers has been out since January 4th but will return to the Jets lineup Friday in Vegas. Head coach Paul Maurice did not disclosed who Ehlers will play with, but he returns to the lineup with 15 goals and 12 assists (27 points) in 40 games this season. Brendan Lemieux will sit as the healthy scratch.
Andersen allowed three goals on 33 shots in the Maple Leafs win in Vegas on Thursday. Andersen extended his winning streak to five games, stopping 163 of the 176 shots (.926 SV%) that he has faced. He is a must-start in Arizona even though he allowed three goals on 30 shots in a 4-2 loss in their first meeting of the season (Jan.20).
Walker reportedly took a puck to the face against the Canucks on Thursday and is day-to-day with what the Kings are calling an upper-body injury.
Andersen allowed two goals on 36 shots in the Maple Leafs win in Colorado on Tuesday. Andersen extended his winning streak to four games, stopping 133 of 143 shots (.930 SV%). The 29-year-old has gone 14-4-2 with a 2.76 GAA, .917 SV% and one shutout on the road this season.
Walker was a healthy scratch in Washington on Monday but will replace Dion Phaneuf on Thursday. Walker has one goal and three assists (four points) in 21 games this season.
Andersen gave up three goals on 38 shots in the Maple Leafs win in Montreal on Saturday. Andersen has won three in a row while stopping 99 of the 107 shots (.925 SV%) that he faced. Colorado can be a tough place to play but Andersen has been solid on the road—going 13-4-2 with a 2.80 GAA, .916 SV% and one shutout in 19 games.
Walker has been a healthy scratch for the last four games but will replace Dion Phaneuf on Thursday. Walker has three points (1G / 2A) while averaging 15:08 TOI/gm in 19 games with the Kings this season.
Andersen allowed one goal on 25 shots in the Maple Leafs blowout win over the Ducks on Monday. Andersen has gone 3-2-1 with a 2.67 GAA and .922 SV% in six games since returning from a groin injury and is a must-start tonight vs. the Senators. He allowed four goals on 23 shots in a 5-3 loss in his first start vs. Ottawa but don’t let that worry you heading into Wednesday.
