DeSmith will start for the second time in the last four games for the Canucks in an afternoon tilt in Columbus against the Blue Jackets. In his last outing, DeSmith saved 18 of 20 shots (.900 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the New York Islanders, improving to 7-3-2 with a 2.53 GAA and .913 SV% on the season.
Oettinger will make his first appearance in goal for the Stars since suffering a lower-body injury on December 15th. Dallas' number-one netminder was in the midst of a cold streak prior to the injury, losing three of his previous four starts and posting an .838 SV% over that stretch. He owns an 11-7-2 record on the season along with a .901 SV% and a 2.93 GAA. He draws a favourable matchup in his first game back with the Stars being -175 on the moneyline.
Its been four games since DeSmith last took over the Canucks' starting crease but he will draw the Islanders in New York Tuesday. The 32-year-old backup net-minder has expectedly done well in his first season with Vancouver, with his 6-3-2 record, 2.58 GAA and .917 SV%. He'll face New York on the road, who has lost three of their last four and are middle of the pack offensively averaging the 18th most goals per game in the NHL (3.08).
Heiskanen awkwardly collided with his goaltender Scott Wedgewood while backchecking and exited the game in the third period after playing only 14:38 time-on-ice. After a slow start to the season with only seven points in his first 13 games (1G / 6A), Heiskanen was starting to come into his own, scoring 20 points (3G / 17A) in his last 24 games. Heiskanen's presence on the blue line will be sorely missed for the Stars, as he averages over 25 minutes per night. Expect Thomas Harley to see in an increase in deployment during Heiskanen's absence, including a role on the top powerplay unit.
Heiskanen played 14:38 TOI before departing Thursday's game vs. the Avalanche. He got hurt in a collision with Scott Wedgewood and makes him questionable to play Saturday vs. the Predators.
Lundkvist played three straight for the first time since November but will return to the press box as a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Joel Hanley to draw back into the lineup. During his three-game stretch, Lundkvist scored three points, fired four shots on goal, and registered a +3 plus/minus rating.
Faksa will re-enter the lineup for the Stars in favour of Ty Dellandrea, who is expected to be a healthy scratch. Faksa has not played the last two games and has zero points and only two shots on goal in his last four contests.
Oettinger has not played since exiting a contest against the Ottawa Senators on December 15th in the first period with an upper-body injury. Scott Wedgewood has taken the reigns in the Stars' crease during Oettinger's eight-game absence, helping the team go 5-2-1 in that stretch. With Oettinger's status being upgraded from week-to-week to day-to-day, his return is on the horizon, and he should return to seeing the bulk of action between the pipes for the Stars.
Lundkvist will play for only the second time in the last eight games for the Stars as he will re-enter the lineup in favour of Joel Hanley. Lundkvist, who was acquired by the Stars last offseason for a first-round pick, has failed to impress the Stars' coaching staff and establish himself as a permanent fixture in their lineup. He has seven points (0G / 7A), averaging 14:37 time-on-ice in 24 games this season.
In their first game back from the Christmas break, the Canucks will turn to Casey DeSmith and give Thatcher Demko an extended rest, as they will not play again until January 2nd. DeSmith last played on December 19th, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators, and is amid a hot streak, allowing two goals or less, posting a .965 SV% while recording at least a point in each of his last three contests (2-0-1). The Canucks are -164 home favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that has lost two straight.
In their first game back from the Christmas break, the Canucks will likely turn to Casey DeSmith and give Thatcher Demko an extended rest, as they will not play again until January 2nd. DeSmith last played on December 19th, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators, and is amid a hot streak, allowing two goals or less, posting a .965 SV% while recording at least a point in each of his last three contests (2-0-1). The Canucks are -164 home favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that has lost two straight.
Bastian, who took a maintenance day yesterday, was on the ice for the Devils' optional morning skate, but was a game-time decision for Saturday's game vs. the Red Wings. Bastian has one goal and four assists in 29 games this season.
Lind will return to the AHL after making just one pointless appearance with the Kraken.
Bastian, who took a maintenance day yesterday, was on the ice for the Devils' optional morning skate, but they are still unsure of his status for Saturday's game vs. the Red Wings. If he's unavailable, look for Chris Tierney to draw back into the Devils lineup.
Faksa was a healthy scratch on Monday but will return to the lineup on Thursday in favour of Ty Dellandrea. Faksa is riding a two-game point streak (0G / 2A) and will assume his regular role on the fourth line with Craig Smith and Sam Steel.
DeSmith has been nearly unbeatable in limited action this month and will start for the second time in three games when the Canucks visit the Nashville Predators. Despite only winning once in two December games (1-0-1), DeSmith has remarkably saved 56 of 57 shots faced (.982 SV%). The Canucks have won five of their last six (5-0-1) but are +111 road underdogs against a Predators club that has been rolling lately, winning seven of their last eight games (7-1-0).
Blackwell will make his season debut after missing the first two and a half months of the season recovering from a groin injury. Blackwell scored 10 points (2G / 8A) in 53 games in his first season with the Blackhawks last year. He is expected to skate on the third line with Jason Dickinson and Nick Foligno.
Faksa will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Seattle Kraken, allowing Craig Smith to draw back into the lineup. Faksa has six points (2G / 4A) in 25 games this season and is only averaging 12:59 time-on-ice, his lowest total since his 2015-16 rookie season.
