Rust has been out since December 27th but he is expected to replace Ryan Reaves in the lineup on Tuesday. Rust collected four goals and 14 assists (18 points) in 38 games before getting hurt.
Letang has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury but was on the ice for today’s morning skate and will be a game-time decision in Philadelphia. Letang’s offensive numbers are strong this season, posting two goals and 23 assists (25 points) in 37 games but is a minus-15, which lowers his value in leagues that track plus-minus.
Letang took the ice for the Penguins morning skate but stayed on late which indicates that he will be scratched for the third consecutive game. Being available this morning suggests that Letang may be ready for Tuesday’s game in Philadelphia.
Rust left Wednesday’s game with an upper-body injury and the Penguins announced that he will be out “longer term.” The Penguins will likely have to dig into their farm system to find some forward depth with Rust out.
Letang will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury but it doesn’t sound like he will be sidelined for an extended period of time because the Penguins expect him to join the team at some point during their brief three-game road trip.
Rust departed the game after recording an assist in 10:06 TOI and did not return. The Penguins did not provide and update on Rust’s status so consider him questionable for Friday’s game in Carolina.
Letang has had injury issues throughout his career but has appeared in the first 37 games of 2017-18 prior to missing tonight’s game. With Letang out, Matt Hunwick will draw back into the lineup and play on the top pairing with Brian Dumoulin. Olli Maatta will slide in on the top power-play unit.
Rakell has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury but was back on the ice for Monday’s practice, a sign that he may be back in the lineup Tuesday in Vegas. The Ducks returning Kalle Kossila to San Diego (AHL) is a sign that he’ll play tomorrow.
Malkin has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury but it looks like he will return to the lineup tonight in Buffalo. Malkin has registered seven goals and 14 assists (21 points) in 22 games this season and should be active in all formats if he plays tonight.
Malkin has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury, but the Penguins called him day-to-day this afternoon and announced that he will travel with the team to Buffalo. There’s no word whether or not Malkin will actually return to the lineup, but this is positive news that the centre is close to playing.
van Riemsdyk has recorded just two assists in 18 games so far this season and based on Saturday’s practice he will be replaced by Klas Dahlbeck in the lineup this afternoon.
After being acquired in the Matt Duchene trade, Girard will immediately step onto a pairing with Tyson Barrie in his Avalanche debut. The former second round pick had three points (1G / 2A) in five games with the Predators this season and was a two-time 70-point defenseman in the QMJHL. Girard is also expected to see some PP1 time next to Barrie, making him an intriguing fantasy addition in deeper leagues.
Girard, 19, was a second round pick in 2016 (No.47 overall) and made his NHL debut this season, recording one goal and two assists in five games with the Predators. Girard should step right onto the Avalanche blueline and be an impact offensive-defenseman, but he will have to play well to stick with the team, because his development is more important than their success this season.
