Hamilton was injured on Thursday, but was on the ice for the Flames' morning skate and is listed as a game-time decision for tonight's game. Monitor his status when Calgary hits the ice for warmups at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Hamilton and Michael Stone are battling injuries on the Flames’ blueline and had coach Glen Gulutzan said he hopes one of them “will play tomorrow” and the other “will play soon.” There is no word which one is closer, but expect an update after the team’s morning skate on Saturday.
There is no word on what is ailing the young defenseman but assistant coach Martin Gelinas said that Hamilton should be back “sooner rather than later” during a postgame interview. The Flames are red-hot and losing Hamilton for any period of time would be a big blow to their blueline.
Bernier allowed three goals on 27 shots in the Ducks’ shootout win over the Predators on Tuesday. Bernier has won three of his last six outings with John Gibson sidelined, while posting a 2.93 GAA and .901 SV% in the process. Tonight he will take on a Blackhawks team that has won seven in a row and who are great on home ice.
Bernier gave up two goals on 27 shots in the Ducks’ loss to Vancouver on Sunday. Bernier will make his sixth straight start with John Gibson still sidelined—Bernier has gone 2-3-0 with a 3.04 GAA and .902 SV% in his previous five starts and tonight he faces the Predators on home-ice. Bernier is 5-1-1 with a 1.93 GAA and .933 SV% at Honda Center.
Russo, 24, has scored seven goals with 24 assists (31 points) in 56 games with the Griffins this season. He has been a nice free agent signing out of the University of Notre Dame and will make his NHL debut on Tuesday with Ryan Sproul (knee) sidelined.
Bernier allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Ducks’ loss in Los Angeles last Saturday. John Gibson still isn’t ready to go following their bye week, so Bernier will make his fourth straight start tonight vs. his former team. He has allowed three goals in each of his previous three starts while posting an ugly .866 SV%.
Markstrom missed Tuesday’s game with a lower-body injury and will miss at least the next three games. Richard Bachman will serve as Ryan Miller’s backup and could draw a start on their Saturday-Sunday back-to-back in Los Angeles and Anaheim.
Markstrom was reportedly injured during the Canucks’ skills competition, which adds insult to injury. With Ryan Miller’s future with the Canucks uncertain, Vancouver’s goaltending situation is cloudy at the moment. Richard Bachman has been called up and should serve as Miller’s backup on Tuesday, unless Miller is dealt.
Bernier allowed three goals on 29 shots in the Ducks’ win over the Bruins on Wednesday. With John Gibson out, Bernier will start again this afternoon in Los Angeles. Bernier has gone 5-5-1 with a 3.40 GAA and .888 SV% on the road this season and remains a risky start this afternoon.
With John Gibson day-to-day with a lower-body injury, Bernier will start for a second straight game, despite being yanked after a terrible outing on Monday. Bernier was pulled after allowing three gaols on six shots in a loss in Arizona and now carries a 2.93 GAA and .901 SV% in 22 appearances this season.
Pesce missed the Hurricanes’ morning skate and is listed as a game-time decision for tonight’s game. If Pesce can’t play, expect Matt Tennyson to skate with Jaccob Slavin and for Klas Dahlbeck to draw into the lineup.
Markstrom allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Canucks’ win in Buffalo on Sunday. Ryan Miller started on Tuesday, but Markstrom will be between the pipes in St. Louis. Markstrom has won two of his last three while stopping 85 of 92 shots (.924 SV%). He also stopped 23 of 24 shots in a 2-1 OT win in his first start against the Blues this season.
Markstrom allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Canucks’ loss in Nashville on Tuesday. Ryan Miller started the last two games, including last night, so Markstrom is expected to start vs. Miller’s former team tonight. In his first start against the Sabres, Markstrom turned away 26 of 27 shots in a 2-1 win back in October.
Markstrom allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Canucks’ loss in Nashville on Tuesday. Ryan Miller started the last two games, including last night, so Markstrom is expected to start vs. Miller’s former team tonight. In his first start against the Sabres, Markstrom turned away 26 of 27 shots in a 2-1 win back in October.
Palat missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, but he is expected to play tonight in Minnesota. Palat will skate on a line with Vladislav Namestnikov and Nikita Kucherov and comes into play with 25 points (10G / 15A) in 47 games this season.
