Pickard, 26, was acquired in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights in early-October and spent the majority of the season in the AHL. Pickard, who is currently No.4 on the Maple Leafs’ goaltending depth chart, was 21-9-1 with a 2.31 GAA, .918 SV% and one shutout in 33 games with the Marlies. He gave up four goals on 27 shots in his only NHL appearance with the Maple Leafs.
Spurgeon has been sidelined since March 13th with a hamstring tear, but it looks like he will be ready to go for Game 1 in Winnipeg. Spuregon skated next to Carson Soucy on the second pairing and it looks like he’ll play despite maybe not being 100 percent. Spurgeon’s return is huge with Ryan Suter (ankle) on the shelf and comes in with 37 points (9G / 28A) in 61 games this season.
Foligno missed the final six games of the regular season, but was on the ice for Monday’s practice and is expected to be in for Game 1 against the Capitals. Foligno, who finished the season with 15 goals and 18 assists (33 points) in 72 games, will centre a line with Oliver Bjorkstrand and Josh Anderson on his wings.
Foligno finished Saturday’s game against the Blues, so there’s no word on when the Blue Jackets’ captain sustained the injury. The timing could not be worse for Foligno, as Columbus has been red-hot and this injury could force him to miss the start of the playoffs. He has picked up one goal and five assists (six points) in his last seven games.
Hartman was acquired from the Blackhawks on Monday and will immediately step into the Predators lineup on Tuesday. Hartman, who has collected eight goals and 17 assists (25 points) in 57 games this season, will start on the fourth line but there’s a strong chance he moves up to at least the third line in the near future.
Brodin has been sidelined since February 6th but will replace Mike Reilly, who was traded to Montreal on Monday. Brodin has played on the power-play this season, but won’t return on the PP tonight. Brodin has five goals, 10 assists and a plus-19 rating in 53 games this season.
Hartman was a first round pick in 2012 and has built on a solid 2016-17 season, picking up 25 points (8G / 17A) in 57 games with the Blackhawks this season. With Chicago falling out of favour in the Western Conference and the Predators taking an all-in approach, Hartman brings a ton of versatility to the Nashville bottom-6.
Brodin left midway through the second period following a collision with Vladimir Sobotka in Tuesday’s win over the Blues. Head coach Bruce Boudreau said that he expects to learn the severity of Brodin’s injury on Wednesday, so expect to get some form of timetable on his return later today.
Bogosian was tangled up in practice on Wednesday and it is believed that he suffered an ankle injury that will cost him at least one month. Brendan Guhle was recalled earlier this week and now it looks like he’ll be here to stay while Bogosian is on the shelf.
Bogosian got tangled up with Evander Kane in Wednesday’s practice and had to be helped off of the ice, unable to put any pressure on his left leg. Bogosian has had a tough time with injuries during his career and it looks like he could miss more time this year.
Hartman was a late scratch from Friday’s lineup but has back on the ice for the Blackhawks practice on Saturday and will play on Sunday. Hartman, who will skate on the second line with Patrick Kane, has seven goals and 12 assists (19 points) in 36 games this season.
Hartman was a late scratch on Friday with an upper-body injury. The Blackhawks said that he didn't feel right at the morning skate so they held him out vs. the Golden Knights. Monitor Hartman's status heading into Sunday's game vs. the Oilers.
Pickard allowed four goals on 28 shots in the Maple Leafs loss in Colorado last Friday. He got the nod because Curtis McElhinney was hurt but with McElhinney back at practice today, Pickard returns to the Marlies where he is enjoying a strong year.
