After a stellar performance in Vladar's last outing, the Flames feel confident not rushing Jacob Markstrom back into the lineup from a minor injury. Vladar saved 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in a 3-2 victory on Tuesday and will start again on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Flames have won four straight but are +120 home underdogs against the Maple Leafs, riding a four-game losing streak (0-3-1).
Couturier has missed the last two games due to an undisclosed injury and will be a game-time decision on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Before his injury, he had six points in his last six games (1G / 5A). If Couturier is unable to play, Scott Laughton will likely continue to center the top powerplay unit.
Drysdale has missed the last two games for the Flyers and will be a game-time decision against the Dallas Stars on Thursday. Drysdale has been immediately productive since joining the Flyers, scoring two points (0G / 2A) in two games.
The Flames have recalled Dustin Wolf as Jacob Markstrom is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, but they will turn to Vladar on Tuesday against the Arizona Coyotes. The Flames are -148 home favourites against a Coyotes club they defeated 6-2 less than a week away with Markstrom between the pipes. Vladar will make his first start since January 7th, a 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks when he allowed four goals on 20 shots (.800 SV%).
Cates will make his return from a 22-game absence due to a foot injury, playing his first game since November 25th. Before his injury, Cates had four-points (1G / 3A) in 21 games, averaging 14:25 time-on-ice.
Acciari did not play the last game for the Penguins but is expected to play in Monday afternoon's tilt against the Seattle Krakekn. Before his injury, Acciari was held without a point in five straight, recording 12 hits and eight shots in the process.
Acciari did not play the last game for the Penguins and will be a game-time decision ahead of Monday afternoon's tilt against the Seattle Krakekn. Before his injury, Acciari was held without a point in five straight, recording 12 hits and eight shots in the process.
It's another tough blow in what's been a frustrating season for Zegras, as this most recent injury puts him on track to return in late February at the earliest. He previously missed almost six weeks with a lower-body injury he suffered on November 7th, and endured a slow start to his season prior to that. He has just four goals and three assists in 20 games on the year.
Zegras played only 2:05 time-on-ice before suffering a lower-body injury and exiting the game in the first period. The talented Zegras has been limited to only 20 games this season, scoring seven points (4G / 3A) in a disappointing season riddled with injuries. Zegras joins Leo Carlsson (lower-body) on the sidelines, a major blow for an Anaheim Ducks team that already ranks fourth-worst in the league offensively (2.53 GF / GP).
Dysdale was traded for Cutter Gauthier is a surprise deal Monday and is expected to make his Flyers' debut Wednesday vs. Montreal as he partners with Travis Sanheim. The 21-year-old offensive defensemen heads to Philly after collecting five points (1G/4A) in 10 games after missing most of the early season due to a tornn labrum injury.
It's a shocking move considering Anaheim selected Drysdale sixth overall just three and a half years ago in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Drysdale had played ten games with the Ducks this season, scoring one goal and adding four assists and was recently promoted to the team's top power-play unit. In exchange, the Ducks acquire the fifth-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Cutter Gauthier.
Studnicka played the last nine games for the Sharks, scoring zero points and being limited to only seven shots on goals. Before being acquired by the Sharks, he played nine games with the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL this season, scoring seven points (1G / 6A) in nine games.
Vladar will get the surprise nod in Nashville on Thursday, making his first appearance since Jacob Markstrom returned from a finger injury on December 18th. Vladar was solid his last time out, stopping 31 of the 33 shots he faced enroute to a 4-2 victory over the Lightning. This presumably sets Vladar up to start a pair of games this weekend as the Flames are set to play a back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday. He draws a difficult matchup on Thursday with the Flames being slight underdogs at +105 in Nashville.
Dvorak will undergo surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle on Friday and will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season. Before his injury, Dvorak had two points (2G / 0A) in his last 10 games, playing predominantly alongside Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky.
