Acciari returned to the lineup two weeks ago after a multi-week absence due to an injury, and after playing six games, will return to the sidelines with an upper-body ailment. The Penguins' bottom-six forward has one assist, six shots, and nine hits in his last six games.
After several poor outings in mid-February, Skinner has turned in three consecutive wins and will likely return to the crease on Tuesday evening. Skinner has allowed fewer than three goals in three straight (3-0-0), including saving 24 of 25 shots (.960 SV%) in a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken in his last outing. The Oilers enter action as -129 road favourites against a Boston Bruins club that defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs last night.
Josh Manson is battling a lower-body injury and will be replaced by Jones if he is not able to suit up. Jones has not played since January 15th, an 18-game stretch.
Novak's production has slipped slightly from the 43 points (17G / 26A) he posted in 51 games last season but has nevertheless been rewarded for another strong campaign. In 51 games this season, Novak has 34 points (13G / 21A) while most recently playing on a line with Mark Jankowski and Luke Evangelista.
Brazeau played six straight for the Bruins before being a healthy scratch on Saturday but will return to the lineup on Monday night. Brazeau has two points (1G / 1A), eight shots, and four hits in six games.
Skinner will start for the fourth straight game on Saturday against the Seattle Kraken, who are coming off a 2-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins. After a two-game losing skid in which he allowed 11 combined goals, Skinner has won two straight, including a 32-save performance (.941 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday.
Harvey-Pinard has not played since February 10th due to a lower-body injury but appears to be nearing a return to the Canadiens lineup. The 25-year-old has seven points (1G / 6A), 20 hits, and 27 blocks in 24 games this season.
Rust did not play on Tuesday and will be out on a week-to-week basis as he recovers from an upper-body injury. He was starting to heat up before his injury, scoring four points (3G / 1A) in two games before his injury. Pittsburgh has recalled Jonathan Gruden as a lineup replacement in the interim.
Skinner will return to the crease for the third straight game when the Oilers host the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday evening. Skinner showcased his best performance since the All-Star break on Monday, saving 38 of 40 shots (.950 SV%) in a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, snapping a three-game losing skid for the Oilers. The Oilers enter action as sizeable -260 home favourites on Wednesday night against a Blues club that defeated them 6-3 two weeks ago.
Mantha was a game-time decision on Monday due to the lower-body injury, but he appears to be good to go. While playing predominantly on a line with Aliaksei and Connor McMichael, Mantha has been productive lately, scoring five points (2G / 3A) in his last five games.
The Oilers will attempt to snap a three-game losing skid on Monday night with Skinner between the pipes. Skinner has struggled to keep the puck out of his net lately, allowing three or more goals in each of his last six games (2-3-1), including allowing five on 30 shots (.833 SV%) in his last outing, a 6-3 loss to the Calgary Flames. That said, the Oilers are -155 home favourites on Monday against a Los Angeles Kings club that defeated them 4-0 earlier this month.
While playing predominantly on a line with Aliaksei and Connor McMichael, Matha has been productive lately, scoring five points (2G / 3A) in his last five games. If he is unable to play, he will join T.J. Oshie and Nic Dowd as injured regulars from the Capitals forward core.
