Skinner was forced to leave Friday's game with an upper-body injury and Buffalo announced that he will miss at least three weeks. Skinner has been stuck in a tough stretch, point just one assist in his last nine games but this is still a horrible loss for the Sabres. Skinner will be out until at least mid-to-late January.
With Jonathan Bernier banged up, Pickard comes back up and could get a start this weekend with the Red Wings having a back-to-back in Florida. He has struggled at both levels this season but has gone 9-7-3 with a 3.03 GAA and .893 SV% in 19 AHL games.
Walman has four goals and 14 assists (18 points) in 32 AHL games this season. Walman has never appeared in an NHL game in his career and he will likely serve as an extra defenseman on their one-game trip to Winnipeg.
Demers underwent a procedure on his knee in early-December and missed the last six games but will play tonight in Nashville. Demers has five assists in 30 games in 2019-20.
Arvidsson has missed four weeks with a lower-body injury but is expected to play against the Bruins on Saturday. Arvidsson has six goals and nine assists (15 points) in 22 games this season.
Carrick was activated earlier in the week but didn't play but will be back Saturday in Columbus. Carrick has been out since October 14th and has just one assist in four games this season.
Smith allowed six goals on 26 shots in the Oilers 6-5 loss to Minnesota on December 12th. It has been a struggle for Smith recently, as he's gone 0-2-1 with a 4.63 GAA and .838 SV% in his last four appearances (three starts). Tonight he faces a red-hot Penguins team that has won six of their last seven (6-1-0) while scoring 3.00 goals per game.
Murray left Saturday's game in Ottawa and is expected to miss a couple of weeks with a lower-body injury. Luckily for the Blue Jackets, Zach Werenski was activated from IR on Tuesday and will help replace Murray on the back-end.
Ekholm missed Saturday's game vs. Dallas with an illness but it looks like he will play tonight in New York. Ekholm, who will replace Matt Irwin on the blueline, has four goals and 11 assists (15 points) in 30 games this season.
Janmark missed Saturday's game in Nashville but is expected to replace Justin Dowling in the lineup tonight vs. the Oilers. Janmark has just two assists in his last seven games and just 11 points (3G / 8A) in 28 games this season.
This has become a common theme for Murray, play well but then eventually get injured. He has already missed eight games this season and will miss No.9 when the Blue Jackets host the Capitals on Monday. Scott Harrington will draw into the lineup and replace Murray on the Blue Jackets' second-pairing.
Smith allowed three goals on 22 shots in the Oilers' loss to the Sabres on Sunday. Smith has struggled mightily as of late, losing three straight while surrendering 10 goals on the last 73 shots (.863 SV%) that he has faced. He has played on the road this season though. The 37-year-old has gone 4-4-1 with 2.25 GAA, .923 SV% and one shutout in away games.
Koekkoek has appeared in five straight games but will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday with the recently recalled Adam Boqvist taking his spot.
Demers will undergo a minor procedure to clean up a knee injury and is expected to miss a couple of weeks. With Demers out, Aaron Ness will likely draw back into the lineup on Tuesday.
