Line Change
Carrick is expected to be a healthy scratch on Thursday.
Carrick drew into the lineup on Wednesday after being a healthy scratch for the four previous games. Carrick will come out again tonight with Roman Polak drawing into the lineup.
Edmonton Oilers News
Goalie Start
Smith will start Thursday vs. the Penguins.
Smith made 30 saves on 31 shots in the Flames win over the Capitals on Sunday. After losing three of four, Smith turned in another great outing, moving his GAA to 2.31 while posting a .931 SV% in 11 October appearances. He faces an 8-5-1 Penguins team that is averaging 2.79 goals for per game so far.
Ekholm left Tuesday’s practice early because of an apparent upper-body injury; questionable for Wednesday’s game in San Jose.
Ekholm is coming off of a two-assist performance vs. the Islanders on Saturday, but left yesterday’s practice with an apparent upper-body/rib injury. There was no word on how serious the injury is and if he will even miss any time, but monitor his status during Wednesday’s morning skate.
Goalie Start
The Maple Leafs have recalled Kasperi Kapanen from Toronto (AHL).
Kapanen has picked up three goals on six games with the Marlies this season and could make his season debut on Saturday after taking Eric Fehr’s spot on the roster. The 21-year-old winger has just one goal in 17 career NHL games.
Goalie Start
Smith will start Friday vs. the Stars.
Smith allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Flames win in Nashville on Tuesday. Eddie Lack started Wednesday in St. Louis, so Smith gets his 10th start of the season tonight vs. the Stars. He has had a great start to the season, winning five of nine starts while posting a 2.49 GAA and .928 SV%.
Line Change
Caggiula (undisclosed) has officially been cleared to play on Tuesday.
Draisaitl (concussion) has officially been cleared to play on Tuesday.
Caggiula (undisclosed) is expected to return to the Oilers lineup on Tuesday.
Draisaitl (concussion) is expected to return to the Oilers lineup on Tuesday.
Goalie Start
Smith will start Tuesday in Nashville.
Smith allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Flames loss to the Wild on Saturday. The Flames have leaned heavily on Smith to start the season and tonight he will make his ninth consecutive start. Smith has gone 3-1-0 with a 1.75 GAA and .957 SV% in four starts on the road this season. Tonight he takes on a Predators team that is 25th in scoring so far (2.63 GF/PG).
Stecher left Sunday’s game with a lower-body injury and did not return.
The Canucks did not have an update on Stecher post-game, but head coach Travis Green said “it was a knee-on-knee hit, so we’ll see what happens.” Consider Stecher as questionable for Tuesday's game in Minnesota.
Goalie Start
Line Change
Kulak is expected to draw onto the Flames blueline on Saturday.
Caggiula (undisclosed) took part in the morning skate but will not play in Chicago.
Draisaitl (concussion) took part in the morning skate but will not play in Chicago.
Draisaitl will not be in the lineup tonight vs. the Blackhawks, but it sounds like he could be back in the Oilers lineup as soon as Saturday. His return will be huge for the struggling Oilers, so monitor his status leading up to this weekend’s meeting with the Flyers.
Goalie Start
Smith will start Thursday vs. the Hurricanes.
Smith allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Flames win in Vancouver last Saturday. Smith’s Flames career has gotten off to a great start—he has won four of his six starts while posting a 2.59 GAA and .929 SV%. Tonight he will make his seventh consecutive start and will take on a Carolina team that is 21st in scoring (2.75 GF/PG) through just four games.
The Oilers have placed Leon Draisaitl (concussion) on IR.
Draisaitl missed Saturday’s game vs. Ottawa and has already been ruled out for Tuesday’s contest. Draisaitl’s move to IR is likely retroactive to October 11th, when he first missed practice. The move shouldn’t have any affect on when he returns to the lineup.
Caggiula (undisclosed) will not be in the lineup on Tuesday.
Caggiula will miss his third straight game with an undisclosed injury. The Oilers will re-evaluate Caggiula before deciding whether or not he will travel with the team on their upcoming road-trip.