O’Reilly skipped Tuesday’s practice session, which leaves his status for the season opener up in the air. O’Reilly was able to skate on his own before the session but remains day-to-day. The Sabres could also be without Kyle Okposo for Thursday’s contest.
After Jonathan Huberdeau left Saturday’s preseason game, Marchessault took reps with Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr. Marchessault had seven goals and 11 assists (18 points) in 45 games with the Lightning last year before signing with Florida this summer.
Marchessault, 25, split his 2015-16 campaign between the NHL and AHL. The 5-foot-9 forward had nine points (6G / 3A) in 11 games with Syracuse and 18 points (7G / 11A) in 45 games with the Lightning. Marchessault will fight for a spot on the Panthers’ opening night roster in training camp this Fall.
The Lightning cut it close, signing Stamkos two days before he hit the free agency market. There were a tonne of teams hoping Stamkos would become a free agent, but it looks like he will be with the Lightning through the 2023-24 NHL season. Stamkos missed games at the end of the season with a blood clot issue, but he finished with 36 goals and 28 assists (64 points) in 77 games.
Forsberg was set to become a restricted free agent on July 1st, but is now signed through the 2021-22 season. Forsberg just wrapped up his second full NHL season with the Predators, where he recorded his first 30-goal season (33) with 31 assists to give him 64 points in 82 games. He has not missed a game in the last two years, finishing with nearly identical 63 and 64-point campaigns.
Haula missed game one, but will be back in the lineup for game two. He had 34 points (14G / 20A) in 76 games this season and has eight points (5G / 3A) in 15 career playoff games in 2014 and 15.
Haula has been listed as questionable for game one, but travelling to Dallas suggests that he will be in the lineup on Thursday. With that said, monitor his status during tomorrow’s morning skate.
Haula missed his second straight practice with an undisclosed injury, but head coach John Torchetti said that he “likes Haula’s chances” of playing in Game 1. Haula was on a tear in March, but has been held off of the scoresheet for the last four games. He finished the year with 14 goals and 20 assists (34 points) in 76 games.
The Predators are comfortably in the playoffs so they will rest a number of players in their season finale. Josi will come out of the lineup vs. Dallas.
Skjei, 22, has recorded four goals and 24 assists (28 points) in 68 games with Hartford. He has appeared in his first four career NHL games this year and his recall likely means bad news for Ryan McDonagh, who suffered a hand injury on Monday.
O’Reilly has been sidelined with a foot injury since February 19th, but he will return to the lineup tonight vs. the Canadiens. O’Reilly has 49 points (17G / 32A) in 59 games this season, including four points (1G / 3A) in three games vs. Montreal. He will centre a line with Evander Kane and Nicolas Deslauriers.
O’Reilly has been out for nearly one month due to a foot injury he suffered on February 19th. He was back on the Sabres’ top-line in practice this morning, which suggests he’ll return to the lineup vs. Montreal on Wednesday. The 25-year-old has 49 points (17G / 32A) in 59 games this season.
With Marc Staal sidelined for Tuesday’s game, Skjei was recalled and played 22:17 in the Rangers’ loss in New Jersey. His return to the AHL, suggests that Staal will be good-to-go on Thursday. Skye returns to Hartford, where he has 22 points (3G / 19A) in 52 games this season.
