Detroit will be without Patrick Kane (illness) on Saturday and have a few players banged up which has led to the emergency recall of Zach Aston-Reese. The 29-year-old forward has appeared in only one game for the Red Wings this season and barely saw the ice as he only had 6:29 TOI without any counting stats.
In his first season with the Maple Leafs, Benoit has five points (1G / 4A), 205 hits and 82 blocked shots in 54 games. Benoit gives the Maple Leafs a rugged depth defenseman who will serve as a third-pairing guy during his contract.
Despite Ilya Samsonov announcing he feels healthy to return on Thursday, Joseph Woll will get his third straight start on Thursday as he attempts to put an end to a two-game losing streak. The 25-year-old has enjoyed an up-and-down season filled with injuries but still has a respectable 10-9-1 record, 2.96 GAA and .908 SV% this season. He will take on the surging Washington Capitals at home, who find themselves in the final wildcard playoff spot after winning six of their last seven games.
Zegras last played in early January and missed almost six weeks earlier with a lower-body injury he suffered on November 7th. The talented Zegras has been limited to only 20 games in an injury-riddled season, scoring seven points (4G / 3A) in a disappointing season riddled with injuries.
With Ilya Samsonov sidelined with an undisclosed injury, the Maple Leafs will turn to Woll for the second straight contest. Woll was tremendous in a losing effort in his last outing, saving 41 of 43 shots (.953 SV%) in a 2-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Maple Leafs have lost three of their last five (2-2-1) and enter action as -140 home favourites against the New Jersey Devils.
Acciari played only 4:56 time-on-ice before exiting Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalance with a lower-body injury. Acciari has seven points (4G / 3A) in 55 games this season. The Penguins have recalled Samuel Poulin to replace Acciari in the interim.
Jiricek has been in Cleveland (AHL) since early January but will head back to Columbus on Thursday on an emergency basis. The 20-year-old rookie defenseman has played well despite only averaging 14:46 TOI per game this season, with a goal, eight assists, 33 SOG, 20 PIMs, and a -1 plus/minus through 36 games played.
Vladar's season has abruptly ended as the Czech netminder will undergo hip surgery. The 26-year-old backstop has struggled tremendously this season, showcasing an unimpressive 3.62 GAA and .882 SV% in 20 games (8-9-2). Dustin Wolf will likely stay with the Flames for the remainder of the season, backing up Jacob Markstrom.
Woll has only played twice in March, allowing four goals in each contest, most recently on March 7th, and will return to the crease on Wednesday. The 25-year-old Woll has struggled to regain his form since returning from a long-term injury, posting a .881 SV% in three games (1-2-0). That said, the Maple Leafs, losers of two straight (0-1-1), are -133 road favourites against a Washington Capitals club that has scored two or fewer goals in four of their last five (3-2-0).
Woll has only played twice in March, allowing four goals in each contest, most recently on March 7th, and will likely return to the crease on Wednesday. The 25-year-old Woll has struggled to regain his form since returning from a long-term injury, posting a .881 SV% in three games (1-2-0). That said, the Maple Leafs, losers of two straight (0-1-1), are -133 road favourites against a Washington Capitals club that has scored two or fewer goals in four of their last five (3-2-0).
Martin Jones will get a break from sitting in the press box as he is set to take over the backup duties from Woll on Tuesday night. It's unknown whether Woll is simply a healthy scratch or dealing with an undisclosed injury at this time.
