In his first year as the Oilers’ starter, Talbot was 21-27-5 with a 2.55 GAA and .917 SV% while playing behind the 19th ranked possession team. The 29-year-old proved that he is a capable No.1 and the Oilers’ all-around improvement this season should lead to even better numbers. His 2016-17 season starts against a Calgary team that he struggled against last season—2-2-0 with a 3.17 GAA and .892 SV%.
Nichushkin was unhappy with his playing time in Dallas and the 21-year-old restricted free agent has decided to return to Russia for the 2016-17 season. Nichushkin was the 10th overall pick in 2013 but has yet to develop into the scoring power-forward that he was expected to become. He had just 29 points (9G / 20A) in 79 games last season and 64 points (23G / 41A) across 166 career NHL games.
Monahan, 21, scored 27 goals with 36 assists for a career-high 63 points in 2015-16. The 2013 sixth overall pick has had an outstanding start to his NHL career—his 58 goals over the last two years is good for 16th in the NHL over that span. Monahan is easily a No.2 fantasy centre with No.1 upside.
Gudbranson missed the last three games of the regular season, but will be back in for the start of the playoffs. Gudbranson doesn’t do much in the way of offence, but he is a big, physical defenseman who will play a big part in a playoff series for the Panthers.
Gudbranson will miss his third consecutive game on Saturday, but should be ready for game 1. Gudbranson probably could have played tonight but there is no need to risk him getting hurt for the playoffs.
Talbot allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Oilers win over the Canucks in the final game at Rexall Place. Talbot has gone 21-27-4 with a 2.55 GAA and .917 SV% in his first season with the Oilers. Tonight he faces the Canucks again—he is 2-0-1 with a 1.31 GAA and .956 SV% in three starts vs. Vancouver this season.
Gudbranson took a hit to the head last night, so the immediate concern is that he may have suffered a concussion. He missed eight games with a concussion earlier in the season. Alex Petrovic will replace him in the lineup tonight in Montreal.
Gudbranson has missed the last seven games with a lower-body injury, but will return tonight vs. the Devils. With Gudbranson back, Alex Petrovic will be a healthy scratch. Gudbranson has two goals and seven assists (nine points) in 61 games this season.
Werenski, 18, was the eighth overall pick in 2015 and will report to Lake Erie (AHL) on a “tryout” while the Blue Jackets work on an entry-level deal for him. Werenski just finished up his second season at the University of Michigan, where he had 36 points (11G / 25A) in 36 games.
Talbot surrendered three goals on 26 shots in the Oilers win in San Jose on Thursday. Laurent Brossoit started Saturday, so Talbot will go tonight vs. the Ducks. Talbot has won three of his last four starts while posting a 2.52 GAA, .919 SV% and one shutout. The 28-year-old has gone 0-2-1 with a 2.01 GAA and .939 SV% in three starts against Anaheim this season.
Talbot allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Oilers loss in Arizona on Tuesday. Tonight will be Talbot’s 10th start in March—he has gone 6-3-0 with a 1.88 GAA and .941 SV% in the first nine. Tonight he faces the Sharks for the third time this season—he is 0-1-1 with a 1.92 GAA and .932 SV% in the first two meeting between the two teams.
Talbot stopped all 40 shots that he faced in the Oilers shutout win over the Canucks on Friday. Laurent Brossoit started Sunday, so Talbot will go tonight in Arizona. Talbot has won two in a row and has gone 6-2-0 with a 1.74 GAA and .945 SV% in March. Tonight will be his third start vs. the Coyotes and he comes in with a 1-1-0 record, 3.38 GAA and .889 SV% in the first two meetings.
Gudbranson has missed the last three games and will miss at least three more with a lower-body injury. With Gudbranson out, Steve Kampfer and Jakub Kindl will continue to man the Panthers’ third pairing.
