McDavid left Monday's practice with what was originally called a "bruise" or "charley horse" but GM Ken Holland called it a quad injury on Tuesday. Missing 2-to-3 weeks would mean that McDavid will miss eight-to-13 games, which puts the Oilers playoff hopes in serious jeopardy.
McDavid was on the ice briefly this morning but left the practice session early. McDavid called it a "charley horse" and a "bruise" and said he'll test it during the morning skate/ Head coach Dave Tippett said there's no guarantee that McDavid plays.
The new deal will keep Nurse in Edmonton through the 2022 season. Nurse has scored four goals with 20 assists (24 points) in 55 games this season.
Smith allowed three goals on 18 shots before being ejected from the Oilers win in Calgary last Saturday. Smith has won six of his last seven starts (6-0-1) while posting a 2.68 GAA and .917 SV%. He's gone 5-4-2 with a 3.37 GAA and .884 SV% in 13 home games (11 starts) this season.
Demers is going on IR with an oblique injury and is expected to be out a while. This is a tough break for the Coyotes, who have been without Oliver Ekman-Larsson for a few games as well.
Benson was a second-round pick in 2016 and among the Oilers' top prospects. The 21-year-old winger had a great season going with Bakersfield (AHL), posting 35 points (9G / 26A) in 42 games before being called-up. Benson will make his NHL debut on the fourth line with Gaetan Haas and Alex Chiasson.
There is no word who will replace Lazar on Tuesday because the Sabres often go with 11 forward and seven defensemen, so that could be the strategy tonight.
Pickard has been returned to the AHL to make room for Jonathan Bernier to be activated from IR. Pickard is 14-9-3 with a 2.87 GAA and .903 SV% in 26 AHL games this season.
Smith allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Oilers loss to the Flames on Wednesday. Mikko Koskinen started last night so they'll come back to Smith for another meeting with Calgary. He's 7-5-2 with a 2.61 GAA and .914 SV% on the road this year and has allowed four goals on 35 shots (.886 SV%) in nearly 90 minutes of hockey vs. the Flames this season.
Both Demers and Oliver Ekman-Larsson will be game-time decisions tonight vs. the Blackhawks. If neither plays, it would leave the Coyotes without two top-4 defenseman and force them to dress Jordan Oesterle and Kyle Capobianco.
Benson, 21, was a second-round pick in 2016 and is expected to make his NHL debut with Joakim Nygard going on IR with a broken bone in his hand. Benson has been terrific in his AHL career, posting 24 goals with 77 assists (101 points) 110 games over the last two seasons.
Stillman played in the final 13 games before the bye week, posting four assists while playing 20:26 ATOI. He went to the AHL over the break but has become an important part of the Panthers' blueline.
Smith allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Oilers win over the Coyotes on January 18th. Smith extended his winning streak to five games, posting a 2.41 GAA and .930 SV% in the process. The Flames have won the first two instalments of the Battle of Alberta but they played last night and have scored just 2.00 goals per game while going 1-2-1 in their last four.
Kapanen was forced to leave Monday's game in Nashville with an arm injury but he was back on the ice for Tuesday's practice and is expected to play tonight. Kapanen has been held pointless in his last four games but has nine points (2G / 7A) in his last 12.
Jones played in the last 14 games before the Ducks bye week, scoring just two goals, giving him seven points (5G / 2A) in 37 games on the season. Look for him to be back in his regular spot with Sam Steel and Ondrej Kase on Monday.
Smith stopped 30 of 32 shots in the Oilers win over the Predators on Tuesday. Smith has won four straight games while posting a rock-solid 2.26 GAA and .936 SV%. He will look to stay hot against a Coyotes team that has lost five of their last six road games while scoring just 1.50 goals per game.
