Despite scoring two points (1G / 1A) for the Sabres on Tuesday night, Skinner suffered an upper-body injury at some point and received an MRI on Wednesday. If Skinner misses any time, expect JJ Peterka to be the main beneficiary, as he was stellar earlier this season during a brief stint where Skinner was out of the lineup.
Trouba did not participate in practice on Tuesday or Wednesday due to personal reasons but will likely play on the Rangers' upcoming two-game road trip. The 29-year-old Trouba has been an effective producer for the Rangers lately, scoring three points (1G / 2A), registering 19 hits, and 18 shots in his last five games.
Kesselring will take the place of Juuso Valimaki, who is the odd-man out on Tuesday. Kesselring has an impressive return of four goals and five assists in 21 games this season.
Leason rejoins the Ducks' lineup after serving as a healthy scratch for Sunday's game against the Red Wings. He has six goals and five assists in 33 games this season.
Nedeljkovic will start for the third time in the last five games for the Penguins on Monday night. Despite a poor showing in his last appearance, allowing five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) in a 6-5 victory over the Boston Bruins, the Penguins coaching staff has been confident rolling with Nedeljkovic over the last month. Over his last five games (3-1-1), Nedeljkovic has allowed only one goal three times, posting a .902 SV%. The Penguins are -123 home favourites against the Philadelphia Flyers, whom they went 0-0-2 against last month.
Leason will be the odd-man out on Friday as Ross Johnston draws back into the lineup. Leason has six goals and five assists in 33 games this season.
Nedeljkovic has been terrific when called upon this season and will start for the second time in the last three games on Thursday when the Penguins visit the Boston Bruins. Nedeljkovic entered Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Washington Capitals in relief, saving 14 of 15 shots (.933 SV%), and has only allowed two goals on the last 53 shots he's faced (.962 SV%). The Penguins, winners of three of their last four (3-1-0), are +132 road underdogs against a Bruins squad that has won four straight.
Dellandrea will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Radek Faksa to draw back into the lineup. After being a healthy scratch in four straight games, Dellandrea played two straight, scoring zero points and registering one shot on goal.
Trouba suffered the injury after he appeared to take an inadvertent elbow to head from Tom Wilson as the former drove toward the Rangers' net. We should expect to receive an update on Trouba's injury and a possible timeline to his return in the coming days. The Rangers' captain has two goals and eleven assists in 32 games this season.
Askarov was recalled from the Milwaukee Admirals and participated in practice for the Predators on Wednesday morning. Kevin Lankinen (illness) was not present at practice and as a result, Askarov suited up as the backup goaltender. Askarov was the 11th overall pick of the Predators in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and has a 2.45 GAA and .908 SV% through 15 games (8-6-1) with the Admirals this season.
Askarov was recalled from the Milwaukee Admirals and participated in practice for the Predators on Wednesday morning. Kevin Lankinen (illness) was not present at practice and as a result, Askarov suited up as the backup goaltender. Askarov was the 11th overall pick of the Predators in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and has a 2.45 GAA and .908 SV% through 15 games (8-6-1) with the Admirals this season.
