Ekman-Larsson suffered a lower-body injury early in the first period of Wednesday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings and did not return. The 34-year-old blue-liner has played every game this season and will keep that streak intact, drawing into the lineup on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights. He has eight goals and 23 assists in 50 games.
Ekman-Larsson suffered the injury during the first period of Wednesday's game and did not return. The 34-year-old blue-liner is yet to miss a game this season, registering eight goals and 23 assists in 50 games. We should get an update on his status ahead of Toronto's game against the Golden Knights on Friday.
Blueger has not played since mid-October, but was a game-time decision on Monday against the New York Islanders, and will finally make his return on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals. The 31-year-old Blueger has one goal in two games this season.
Merzlikins has seen an increased workload since Rick Bowness took over as the Blue Jackets' head coach, seemingly regaining the trust of the coaching staff, but he was absent from practice on Wednesday because of an illness. The 31-year-old Latvian goalie has a 2.04 GAA and .914 SV% in three games since the coaching chance (2-1-0). It's unclear if Merzlikins will be ready with Columbus returns to action on Thursday against the Dallas Stars.
Before Rick Bowness assumed head coaching duties in Columbus, Merzlikins had been an afterthought between the pipes, starting only three games in over a month. The 31-year-old Latvian goalie seems to have, at least temporarily, gained the trust of the new coaching staff, as he is poised to start for a third straight game. He has won two straight and saved 59 of 63 shots (.937 SV%) in the process.
Stolarz has been sidelined since November 11th, but he's nearing a return, so he'll go to the Marlies to get back up to game speed. Both Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby have performed well in Stolarz's absence, so it's unclear how much playing time he'll get once he returns to the Maple Leafs.
Blueger has not played since mid-October, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup as he was a game-time decision on Monday against the New York Islanders. The 31-year-old Blueger has one goal in two games this season.
Blueger has not played since mid-October, but could return to the lineup on Monday against the New York Islanders. The 31-year-old Blueger has one goal in two games this season.
Before Rick Bowness assumed head coaching duties in Columbus, Merzlikins had been an afterthought between the pipes, starting only three games in over a month. The 31-year-old Latvian goalie seems to have, at least temporarily, gained the trust of the new coaching staff, as he is poised to start for a third straight game. He has won two straight and saved 59 of 63 shots (.937 SV%) in the process.
The Panthers hope the season debut of their leader, Matthew Tkachuk, can help them string together some consistent play, starting with their netminder, Sergei Bobrovsky. The 37-year-old Bobrovsky has allowed three or more goals in seven of his last eight games (3-5-0), which was highlighted by one of the worst performances of his career, allowing nine goals on 35 shots (.743 SV%) in Friday's 9-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Panthers enter Monday's action as -176 home favorites against a San Jose Sharks team that has lost two of its last three games (1-2-0).
Quillan is an undrafted forward who played three games with the Maple Leafs earlier this season. That said, the 23-year-old Quillan has spent most of the season with the Marlies (AHL), where he has excelled, with 27 points (8G / 19A) in 28 games.
Nylander aggravated his lower-body injury early in Thursday's loss in Vegas. Nylander was able to tally a goal and an assist before leaving the game, and had three goals and four assists in four games after returning to the lineup last Saturday. The Maple Leafs are desperately going to miss his production Saturday in Winnipeg and possibly Monday vs. the Wild.
Stolarz has been out since November 11th, but is getting close to a return to the Maple Leafs crease and has a chance to return before the Olympic break according to Head Coach Craig Berube. Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby have performed well in his absence, but the team will likely send Hildeby back to the Marlies (AHL) when Stolarz is cleared to play. Stolarz said the he likely needs a "couple more practices" before he is ready to play.
Nylander has already missed 10 games this season and reaggravated a previous injury in Thursday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights, exiting the game early in the first period. The 29-year-old Nylander has been outstanding when healthy, scoring 48 points (17G / 31A) in 37 games. He scored two points (1G / 1A) on Thursday in just 2:17 time-on-ice.
Bobrovsky has a serviceable 5-4-0 record in his last nine games, which has not come easily, as he has a concerning sub- .900 SV% in each of those games. The 37-year-old Bobrovsky has battled adversity all season, settling into a less-than-stellar 2.90 GAA and .881 SV% through 32 games (19-12-1). The Panthers enter Friday's contest as +146 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes team that they defeated 5-2 less than a month ago.
Nylander has already missed 10 games this season and reaggravated a previous injury in Thursday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights, exiting the game early in the first period. The 29-year-old Nylander has been outstanding when healthy, scoring 48 points (17G / 31A) in 37 games. He scored two points (1G / 1A) on Thursday in just 2:17 time-on-ice.
Myers will slot in on Thursday in favour of Simon Benoit. Myers will skate alongside Oliver Ekman-Larsson on the Leafs' third pair.
