Ekblad gave the Panthers yet another injury scare as he left their previous game after just three shifts and 1:50 TOI due to an upper-body injury. The 26-year-old will play Monday after skating with the team earlier in the day, and will be hoping to add to his seven goals, 13 assists, 97 SOG and 40 PIMs he has collected through 37 games this season.
Bennett left the Panthers' previous game vs. Minnesota after just 11 shifts and 9:14 TOI due to an upper-body injury but will play Monday after being a game-time decision. The 26-year-old has 11 goals, 19 assists, 144 SOG, 48 PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 48 games this season.
Petry appears set to return to the Penguins lineup on Friday, most likely replacing Mark Friedman in the lineup and quarterbacking the Penguins' top power-play unit. Petry has picked up 12 points (3G / 9A) in 28 games this season.
Tarasov was 2-9-1 with a 3.28 GAA and .908 SV% but has been re-assigned to the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). Tarasov will be looking to improve on his ugly AHL stats with his return, as he had a 2-2-0 record, .850 SV% and 4.29 GAA prior to his promotion to Columbus.
Petry took part in the morning skate and quarterbacked the top power-play unit but said he'll have to see how he responds after the skate. Petry, who has 12 points (3G / 9A) in 28 games this season, would be a really nice fantasy asset in the short-term with Kris Letang still sidelined.
Nosek missed the Bruins' game Wednesday due to an undisclosed injury but will draw back into the lineup Thursday as they take on the New York Islanders. The veteran 30-year-old has three goals, five assists, and 34 PIMs through 41 games this season.
Foote failed to pick up a point in any of the three games that he played with New Jersey before being reassigned to Utica (AHL) Thursday. The 22-year-old was sent down to Utica (AHL) to make room for Nate Bastian (shoulder), who has activated earlier Thursday.
Bjornfot has two goals, two assists, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through 30 games with the Ontario Reign (AHL) and has been recalled for a second time this season by the Kings. In his previous stint with Los Angeles this season, the 21-year-old had one assist through four games.
Bobrovsky allowed five goals on 37 shots (.865 SV%) as he snapped a two-game winning streak with an overtime loss to Toronto. The 34-year-old has improved his play as of late, but still holds an ugly .897 SV%, 3.25 GAA and 12-13-2 record on the season. He takes on the Montreal Canadiens, who have won their last two games but are 29th in the NHL in goals for per game (2.58).
Bobrovsky stopped 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) for his fourth win in five games as he beat Buffalo in his previous start Monday. The 34-year-old starts back-to-back games for the first time this season and is 12-13-1 with a 3.19 GAA and .899 SV%. He will take on the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are hoping to get back in the win column after two straight losses.
Tarasov surrendered four goals on 20 shots in the Blue Jackets' loss in Chicago on December 23rd. Tarasov has lost five straight in regulation, allowing a combined 16 goals on 158 shots (.899 SV%). In 12 appearances this season, Tarasov has gone 2-8-1 with a .907 SV% this season. Tonight he'll face a Predators team that has won five of their last eight while averaging 3.3 goals for per game.
Bobrovsky stopped 35 of 38 shots (.921 SV%) for his third win in four games as he beat Vancouver in his previous start. Bobrovsky has been better as of late, which has helped improve on a horrific season start, amounting to an 11-13-1 record, 3.27 GAA and .896 SV%. He will take on the Buffalo Sabres, who just snapped a three-game losing streak with a 5-3 win over Nashville last contest and are 1st in the league in goals per game (3.85).
