Smith has missed the last seven games with an injury but was on the ice for Friday’s morning skate and will be game-time decision in Carolina. Smith has nine goals and 18 assists (27 points) in 45 games this season.
Lehner allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Islanders loss to the Rangers on Saturday. The loss snapped an impressive eight-game winning streak for Lehner, who has a 1.52 GAA and .948 SV% over that nine-game stretch. Tonight it looks like he’ll take on a Blues team that played last night but come in having won four of their last five.
Lehner allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Islanders loss to the Rangers on Saturday. The loss snapped an impressive eight-game winning streak for Lehner, who has a 1.52 GAA and .948 SV% over that nine-game stretch. Tonight it looks like he’ll take on a Blues team that played last night but come in having won four of their last five.
Hill allowed two goals on 23 shots in the Panthers loss to the Oilers on January 2nd. Darcy Kuemper has been starting the majority of the Coyotes games but Hill will make his 11th start tonight in Calgary. The 22-year-old has gone 5-1-0 with a 2.03 GAA, .930 SV% and one shutout on the road this season.
Eichel has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury but will be back Friday in Carolina. Eichel has enjoyed a quality campaign, collecting 15 goals and 34 assists (49 points) in 40 games.
Lehner made 29 saves on 33 shots in the Islanders win in St. Louis last Saturday. The victory extended his winning streak to seven games, posting a 1.22 GAA, .959 SV% and one shutout during that stretch. Lehner will look to stay hot against the Rangers on Thursday—he allowed five goals on 27 shots in a 5-0 loss in New York on November 21st.
As expected, Smith remains day-to-day with an undisclosed injury that he suffered vs. the Devils on Sunday. Max Pacioretty will fill in for him on the Vegas top-line and Brandon Pirri will draw back in on the second line.
Eichel was on the ice for Tuesday’s morning skate but the Sabres will hold him out for the third straight game. The Sabres want to be “cautious” with their star centre, leaving the door open for him to return during their Friday/Saturday back-to-back.
Smith was forced to leave Sunday’s game vs. the Devils and missed Monday’s practice due to an undisclosed injury. Head coach Gerard Gallant listed Smith as day-to-day so look for Brandon Pirri to replace him on Tuesday.
Sissons has missed the last seven games but appears set to return to the Predators lineup in Montreal on Saturday. Sissons has quietly had a solid season, scoring seven goals and nine assists (16 points) in 35 games—on-pace for a career-high 15 goals and 34 points.
Lehner allowed two goals on 21 shots in the Islanders win over the Blackhawks on Thursday. Lehner has won six in a row while allowing just five goals on 164 shots (.970 SV%). Lehner has been absolutely lights out as of late and draws a pretty solid matchup in St. Louis. The Blues rank 23rd in the NHL in scoring (2.82 GF/pg) through 23 games.
Patrick has missed the last four games but is set to return to the Wild lineup on Saturday afternoon. Patrick has had another slow start, collecting just 11 points (5G / 6A) in 33 games this season.
Eichel was listed as questionable for Monday’s game but ended up playing before leaving after just 2:42 TOI. The Sabres want to be cautious with their star centre, so they will scratch him on Thursday and re-evaluate him early next week.
Lehner made 39 saves on 40 shots in the Islanders win in Buffalo on Monday. Lehner is red-hot right now, winning five in a row while stopping an impressive 140 of the 143 shots (.979 SV%) that he has faced over that span. He will look to stay hot against a Blackhawks team that has won five of their last seven while averaging 3.14 goals per game.
