Vanek is dealing with a hip flexor injury and likely won't be available for Tuesday's game, which means that Luke Witkowski will likely draw into the lineup vs. the Habs. Consider Vanek day-to-day.
Trotman is expected to be plugged right into the Penguins lineup on Tuesday with both Kris Letang and Brian Dumoulin out, and Erik Gudbranson unavailable due to visa issues. The 28-year-old defenseman has five points (1G / 4A) in 24 AHL games this season.
Both Benn and Mats Zuccarello were hurt in the Stars game in Chicago on Sunday and Benn is unlikely to play on Tuesday. Monitor his status during the Stars morning skate, but it looks like Dallas will be without 2/3 of their top-line in an important game in Vegas.
Delia played well during his time with the Blackhawks, going 6-4-3 with a 3.48 GAA and .909 SV% but returns to the AHL with Corey Crawford being activated from IR. Delia has gone 7-5-4 with a 2.34 GAA and .933 SV% with Rockford this season.
Crawford has been skating and practicing for a while now but has finally been activated from IR and looks to be in-line to play his first game since December 16th on Wednesday. Crawford has had a tough season, going 6-14-2 with a 3.28 GAA and .902 SV%, but the Blackhawks are now in the middle of a playoff race, so Crawford could be leaned on heavily down the stretch.
Letang was hurt early in the Penguins outdoor game against the Flyers and it looks like they will go into Tuesday’s game missing both of their top-pairing defensemen. Letang is considered day-to-day, so monitor his status heading into Friday’s game in Buffalo.
Nieto was re-evaluated and the injury is worse than originally feared and will cost him at least a month and a half. Derick Brassard was acquired from the Panthers on Monday and will be a full-time replacement for Nieto in the Colorado lineup.
There is no word on the severity of Miller’s injury, but this is a huge blow to a Ducks team that is fighting to stay in the playoff conversation. Miller has been excellent since returning from injury, going 2-1-0 with a 1.35 GAA, .952 SV% and one shutout. Kevin Boyle will start in Vancouver with Miller out.
As originally expected, it is Sergachev’s turn to sit in the Lightning’s defence rotation. Sergachev will likely draw back into the lineup in New York on Wednesday.
The Stars confirmed what was originally feared, a broken arm that will require surgery and cost him at least one month. This is a horrible break for the Stars, who paid a premium to acquire Zuccarello from the Rangers. However, if they can stay afloat in the Western Conference playoff race, Zuccarello should be available for some meaningful games down the stretch and ultimately the playoffs, should they make it.
Bratt will miss Monday’s game against the Canadiens, which is a tough break because the young Swedish winger has been heating up lately—scoring three goals with eight assists (11 points) in his last 11 games.
