Hannikainen had one goal in two games with the Monsters to start the AHL season. He takes Josh Anderson’s spot on the roster and returns to the NHL, where he had seven points (4G / 3A) in 44 games last year.
Columbus announced that Anderson is day-to-day with an upper-body injury that he suffered on October 5th, but was moved to IR so they could recall Markus Hannikainen from Cleveland (AHL). Anderson had already been ruled out of Friday’s game and is eligible to come off IR whenever he is healthy.
Schuldt, 24, recorded an assist in his NHL debut last year but sat as a healthy scratch in the first four games of 2019-20. Schuldt switches spots with Jake Bischoff.
Bischoff, 25, was a seventh-round pick in 2012 and has taken a long road to the NHL. He spent four years at the University of Minnesota and over 120 games in the AHL. The 6-foot-1, 194 lbs. defenseman had 13 points (2G / 11A) in 60 games with the Wolves last year.
Anderson surrendered four goals on 30 shots in the Senators' loss to the Rangers last Saturday. Anders Nilsson started on Thursday, so they’ll come back to Anderson today vs. the Lightning. He should be left on the bench/free agency against a Tampa Bay team that just destroyed Toronto and is averaging 4.50 goals per game through four games.
John Gibson has started the first four games of the season and has been outstanding but Miller is expected to start the second game of the Ducks back-to-back tonight. The veteran was solid last year and is a decent spot-start option for needy owners. He was 5-3-1 with a 2.58 GAA and .910 SV% on the road in 2018-19.
Anderson is set to miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury. The Blue Jackets have not released any type of timeline for his return, but the fact they are updating his status on a game-to-game basis suggests that he is simply day-to-day.
Bobrovsky was yanked after giving up four goals on 14 shots in the Panthers blowout loss to the Hurricanes on Tuesday. His Panthers career is off to a rocky start, posting an .859 SV% through three games. Bobrovsky has been notorious for slow starts in recent years though, so expect him to get back on track soon enough.
Gurianov was a healthy scratch in Washington on Tuesday and his demotion to the AHL suggests that one or both of Jason Dickinson and/or Corey Perry could be ready for Saturday’s game. Gurianov, who failed to record a point in his first three games this season, had 48 points (20G / 28A) in 57 AHL games last year.
Cizikas missed Thursday’s practice and Friday’s morning skate with what could be a lingering ankle injury from the preseason. Head coach Barry Trotz said “Casey will probably be a game-time decision,” so keep an eye on the fourth line centre as they hit the ice for warmups at 7:00 pm.
Leddy missed Thursday’s practice but was back on the ice for Friday’s morning skate and will be a game-time decision. Head coach Barry Trotz did not disclose what Leddy is dealing with, other than to say “he’s Goa little bit of a nagging thing.” Johnny Boychuk would slide back into the lineup if Leddy can’t play.
Lundqvist allowed four goals on 47 shots in the Rangers season-opening win over the Jets on October 3rd. Alexandar Georgiev started their second game but thanks to a quirky schedule, Lundqvist will make his second start nine days after his first. The Rangers offence has been impressive through two games, so it could carry King Henrik to the ‘W’ vs. Edmonton on Saturday.
Greiss allowed one goal on eight shots after replacing Semyon Varlamov in the Islanders' loss to the Oilers on Tuesday. Greiss has been the better of the two goalies so far, stopping 42 of the 44 shots (.955 SV%) that he has faced so far. As good as he’s been, a road matchup with the Hurricanes is one to avoid right now.
Niku played in Pittsburgh on Tuesday but was a healthy scratch on Thursday with both Josh Morrissey and Dmitry Kulikov returning to the lineup. Niku heads back to Manitoba but will absolutely be up with the big-club again this season.
Mrazek stopped 10 of the 13 shots he faced in the Hurricanes 4-3 overtime win over the Lightning last Sunday. Carolina absolutely owned the puck in this game and it led to a slow night for Mrazek, who is now 2-0 despite an .878 SV% so far this season. He has been great in Carolina, going 14-5-1 with a .910 SV% in his last 20 starts at PNC Arena. He also has an inviting matchup vs. the Islanders who are averaging just 2.33 goals per game so far.
Korpisalo stopped 15 of the 18 shots that he faced in the Blue Jackets 4-3 overtime win over the Sabres on Monday. Korpisalo wasn’t busy but he did enough to out-duel Linus Ullmark on the other end. Dating back to the start of last season, Korpisalo is 5-5-1 with a .876 SV% in his last 12 starts at Nationwide Arena. Tonight he gets a Ducks team that are winning games but are averaging just 2.25 goals per game.
Ullmark allowed four goals on 40 shots in the Sabres overtime loss in Columbus on Monday. Ullmark was the Sabres’ best player on the ice by a wide margin and earned himself another start tonight vs. the Sabres. The 26-year-old was 8-6-3 with a 3.48 GAA, .893 SV% and one shutout in 17 games at KeyBank Center last season.
Holtby surrendered four goals on 26 shots in the Capitals overtime loss to the Stars on Tuesday. After a win on opening night, Holtby has dropped his last two starts while allowing a combined seven goals on 54 shots (.870 SV%). Holtby is 16-10-1 in his last 27 road starts but has a terrible matchup in Nashville.
Rinne made 33 saves on 35 shots in the Predators 5-2 victory over the Sharks on Tuesday. Rinne has had the ideal start to the 2019-20 season, going 2-0 while allowing just four goals on 59 shots (.932 SV%). He is now 21-9-1 in his last 31 games in Nashville and has won each of his last three starts vs. the Capitals.
