McCann will miss his fifth straight game with a lower-body injury, but has not been ruled out for Saturday’s game vs. the Rangers. McCann had a nice start to the season, collecting two goals and three assists (five points) in seven games, providing the Panthers with plenty of secondary offence.
McCann has missed the last four games, but returned to the ice on Wednesday and could be back in the lineup tomorrow. McCann has not been cleared, but practicing today is a good sign he is close to a return. Monitor his status tomorrow morning.
McCann was forced to leave Saturday’s game in Washington with a lower-body injury and likely will not play on Tuesday. McCann has had a really nice start to 2017-18, posting a two goals and three assists (five points) in seven games. If McCann can’t play, look for Denis Malgin to draw in as the third line centre.
The 24-year-old forward had a nice postseason for the Predators last season, picking up three goals in eight playoff games. Gaudreau has also had a nice start to his AHL season, registering four points (1G / 3A) in three games with the Admirals. He comes up to take Yannick Weber’s roster spot and could make his season debut on Tuesday.
Eberle was banged up in the Islanders practice on Thursday and missed Friday’s session as a result. After the skate, Eberle told reporters that he should be OK for the weekend games but monitor his status during today’s morning skate to be sure.
Grubauer allowed four goals on 40 shots in the Capitals’ overtime loss in Tampa Bay on Monday. Grubauer was a busy man in his season debut and could be the same again tonight as he faces a Flyers team that is tied for 13th in shots on goal per game (33.3) so far this season. Grubauer is one of the best spot-start options in the NHL and that doesn’t change tonight.
Grubauer has been one of the most reliable backups in the NHL over the years and comes into 2017-18 having gone 13-6-2 with a 2.04 GAA, .926 SV% and three shutouts last season. Grubauer’s first start will come against a Tampa Bay team that is playing for the third time in four days and had two totally different results in their first two contests.
Eberle scored 20 goals with 31 assists (51 points) in 82 games with the Oilers last season. The 27-year-old winger struggled in the playoffs, collected just two assists in 13 games before the Oilers were bounced. Eberle has averaged 24 goals and 32 assists (56 points) over that last four seasons and could see ample playing time with John Tavares in 2018.
Hayden, 22, was a third round pick (No.74 overall) in 2013 and has signed after wrapping up four years at Yale University. The 6—foot-3, 210 lbs. centre registered 21 goals and 13 assists (34 points) in 33 games—good for second on the team.
Grubauer allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Capitals’ loss to the Rangers last Sunday and is expected to tart the tail-end of their back-to-back this afternoon. The Capitals have stuck to their guns on back-to-back’s this season, so Grubauer should bring his 5-4-2 road record into Nashville today—he has a 2.58 GAA and .912 SV% in those starts.
