Burakovsky was expected to be in the lineup last night but was a late scratch due to an illness. The Capitals elected to keep him back in Washington for Friday’s game, recalling Travis Boyd from Hershey (AHL) to serve as their reserve forward.
Pouliot has played well since joining the Canucks but has been held pointless with a minus-4 rating in his last seven games, so he will take a seat with Alex Biega drawing back in.
Ellis missed the first 38 games of the season after undergoing offseason knee surgery, but will play his first game of the season tonight in Vegas. Ellis, who is expected to skate on a pairing with Roman Josi, is coming off of the best season of his career, in which he registered 16 goals and 22 assists (38 points) in 71 games. Ellis is one of the better offensive-defensemen in the NHL and makes the Predators that much more dangerous, especially on the power-play.
With Micheal Frolik (broken jaw) going on IR, Mangiapane has been recalled after recording 14 goals and 19 assists (33 points) in 29 games with Stockton.
Burakovsky has struggled since returning from a thumb injury and has picked up just eight points (3G / 5A) in 19 games this season. Burakovsky has game-breaking talent and a great shot but has struggled to find his way early in his NHL career. Tonight he will sit for Chandler Stephenson.
Weber was sent home from their previous road-trip, missing the last three games and will miss at least three more with a foot injury. With both Weber and David Schlemko (illness) out, the Canadiens have recalled Brett Lernout from Laval (AHL) to go on the trip.
Burakovsky has been out since October 21st but with Tyler Graovac being placed on waivers and Travis Boyd being sent to Hershey (AHL) the Capitals cleared the way for Burakovsky to play Friday. Prior to getting hurt, Burakovsky had one goal and three assists (four points) in nine games.
Toninato, 23, recorded one assist in eight games with the Avalanche during his call-up. Toninato returns to the AHL with Colin Wilson back to 100 percent—he has three goals and three assists (six points) in 13 games with the Rampage.
Weber has missed the last six games with a lower-body injury, but took part in today’s morning skate and it looks like he will play tonight vs. the Red Wings. Weber skated with Jordie Benn this morning and will likely take his spot back on the top power play unit as well. Monitor his status during pre-game warmups, but it looks like the hulking defenseman will play tonight. He has 13 points (4G / 9A) in 20 games this season.
