Lajoie had a hot start to the season but has just 15 points (7G / 8A) in 56 games this season. Lajoie has a bright future ahead of him but needs some more seasoning in the AHL. Lajoie had 15 points (1G / 14A) in 56 AHL games last season.
Wilson missed the start of the season due to injury but has picked up seven points (3G / 4A) in 17 AHL games since returning. The 26-year-old winger has 46 points (19G / 27A) in 172 career NHL games with the Penguins, Red Wings and Sabres.
O’Regan has scored 18 goals with 16 assists (34 points) in 53 games with Rochester (AHL) this season. He will make his season debut after playing just two games with the Sabres last season and recording five points (1G / 4A) in 24 career NHL games overall.
Gardiner missed Friday’s practice and was only on the ice briefly this morning but head coach Mike Babcock expects him to play on Saturday. Justin Holl will also dress for warmups, so consider Gardiner a game-time decision because there’s obviously a little bit of concern.
Jensen was acquired from Detroit and signed an extension with Washington on Friday but did not get in until after midnight, so he will sit for their first game. Jensen will likely replace Christian Djoos or Brooks Orpik on Sunday.
Zadina was the Red Wings first-overall pick this summer (No.6 overall) and has earned his first career call-up after picking up 15 goals and 16 assists (31 points) in 45 games. Zadina has tremendous upside and is worth an add in keeper leagues. He could play a key role for the Red Wings down the stretch, especially if they move on from winger Gustav Nyquist.
Staal has been out with a concussion since December 22nd but is set to return to the lineup on Saturday. Activating him from IR all but guarantees that he will play for the first time in the 2019 calendar year.
Carrick has not played much this season but could get a chance in New Jersey. The 24-year-old, right-shot defenseman has one goal and three assists in 14 games this season, adding 16 shots, five hits and 11 blocked shots to his line as well. He should replace Lovejoy and see some time on the Devils third-pair.
Lovejoy is a defensive-defenseman with pretty good size and excellent mobility but really doesn’t bring any offence to the table. Lovejoy has just two goals and five assists (seven points) in 51 games this season. He has also picked up 70 shots, 59 hits and 77 blocked shots along the way. He provides the Stars with some added depth and will likely play the right-side on the Stars third-pair.
Lovejoy’s name has surfaced as a potential trade deadline rental, so he will be sidelined for the second straight game.
Johansson is fully expected to be traded before Monday’s Trade Deadline, so the Devils will hold him out of the lineup for the second straight game to ensure that he remains healthy. Johansson is getting traded with his value at a season-high, having scored six goals and six assists (12 points) in his last 13 games.
