Edmonton Oilers News

Because the Avalanche did not skate, it remains to be seen who will start between the pipes in Ottawa. Jeremy Smith started three in a row and is coming off of a loss in Philadelphia on Tuesday, which suggests Pickard will draw tonight's game. Expect head coach Jared Bednar to announce his starter around 5:30 p.m. ET.

Smith was yanked after he allowed four goals on 14 shots in the Coyotes’ loss in Boston on Tuesday. Smith struggled to a 5-4-1 record by posting a 3.34 GAA and .900 SV% in 10 February starts. He is also 6-8-3 with a 3.07 GAA and .911 SV% on the road this season, but will face a Sabres team that has lost three in a row.

Skinner was sent back to Carolina to be reevaluated prior to Tuesday’s game and the Hurricanes announced he doesn’t have a concussion and is dealing with a stiff neck. The Hurricanes played with seven defensemen last night, but have recalled Patrick Brown and Andrej Nestrasil for tonight’s game in Tampa Bay. Look for Skinner to be back in on Friday.

Skinner returned to Raleigh before Tuesday’s game to have an upper-body injury evaluated. With Skinner out, Brock McGinn will get back into the lineup tonight. Consider Skinner as day-to-day and doubtful for Wednesday’s game in Tampa Bay.

Smith allowed six goals on 29 shots in the Coyotes’ loss in Chicago last Thursday. Smith missed the last two games with an illness, but will get back in goal tonight in Boston. Smith has gone 6-7-3 with a 2.95 GAA and .916 SV% in 17 starts on the road this season.

Stecher missed Saturday’s game vs. the Sharks because of the mumps, but was on the ice for Monday’s practice and is expected to play Tuesday vs. the Red Wings. Stecher leads all Canucks’ defensemen with 18 points (2G / 16A) in 51 games this season.

Pickard allowed two goals on 32 shots in Colorado’s loss to the Kings on Tuesday. Jeremy Smith gave him the night off on Thursday, so Pickard will get back in goal tonight vs. the Sabres. Pickard has had a nice month, going 3-5-1 with a 2.34 GAA and .924 SV% in his last nine starts and draws a solid matchup tonight.

Smith turned aside 27 of 28 shots in the Coyotes’ win over the Ducks on Monday. Smith has won four of his last five starts while stopping 161 of 172 shots (.936 SV%) and one shutout. He’s played well, but he has gone 0-2-0 with an ugly 4.04 GAA and .849 SV% in his first two starts against the Blackhawks this season.

Pickard allowed three goals on 40 shots in Colorado’s loss to the Lightning on Sunday. Pickard has gone 3-4-1 with a 2.37 GAA and .922 SV% in eight February starts. Tonight he faces the Kings on home ice, where he has gone 4-8-2 with a 2.96 GAA and .904 SV% this season.

Smith was bumped into by Ducks’ winger Jakob Silfverberg and it knocked his mask off. A spotter pulled Smith from the game, which led to Marek Langhamer’s NHL debut. The rookie stopped all seven shots that he faced to preserve the victory and head coach Dave Tippett said Smith is “fine.”

Smith surrendered four goals on 33 shots in the Coyotes’ win over the Sharks on Saturday. Smith has won three of his last four starts while allowing a combined 10 goals on 144 shots (.931 SV%). Tonight he’ll make his second start of the season vs. the Ducks—he allowed three goals on 35 shots in a 3-2 OT loss in the first meeting.

Nurse has been sidelined by an ankle injury since December 1st, but is on the Oilers’ current road-trip, but will miss both games of their back-to-back in Florida on Tuesday and Wednesday. Monitor his status later in the week.

Smith stopped 41 of 44 shots in the Coyotes’ win in Los Angeles on Thursday. Smith has won three in a row while posting an impressive .1.95 GAAm .946 SV% and one shutout. He has turned in some great performances this season, but is too inconsistent to trust on a regular basis. However, he is 2-0-1 with a 1.93 GAA and .953 SV% in three starts vs. the Sharks this season.

Kane was in the lineup after being a game-time decision on Thursday, so expect the same thing to happen this afternoon. He missed yesterday’s practice for rest reasons because he’s fighting an illness, but he should play vs. the Blues.