Anderson has been out with a broken ankle since November 21st but will replace Miles Wood on Saturday. Anderson had one goal and one assist (two points) in 11 games before getting injured.
Wood was forced to leave Thursday’s game vs. the Islanders and will not play Saturday vs. the Wild. Wood, who will be replaced by Joey Anderson, is listed as day-to-day.
Backes was a healthy scratch on Thursday but will replace Trent Frederic on Saturday. Backes has recorded five goals and eight assists (13 points) in 44 games this season.
Grzelycyk will likely be held out of the lineup on Saturday afternoon, which means that John Moore will draw back into the lineup. Grzelcyk should be considered day-to-day.
Gibson was crunched in a collision with his teammate Jaycob Megna late in the second period. Gibson remained in goal for the final 1:52 of the period but was replaced by Chad Johnson for the third. The way the Ducks are playing right now, Gibson isn’t a good option regardless. Consider him questionable for Saturday’s game in Philadelphia.
Helewk, 23, was a fourth-round pick of the Sharks in 2015 and has 31 points (13G / 18A) in 41 games during his first season in Tucson (AHL). Helewk will report to Milwaukee (AHL).
Dauphin, 23, has six goals and 14 assists (20 points) in 34 games with Tucson (AHL) this season. Dauphin has four points (3G / 1A) in 35 career NHL games and is expected to report to Milwaukee (AHL).
Emil is the older brother of Canucks star rookie Elias Pettersson. The 25-year-old was a sixth-round pick in 2013 and has registered 33 points (11G / 22A) in 49 games with Milwaukee (AHL) this season. Pettersson has never played in an NHL game and will report to Tucson (AHL) initially.
Mrazek gave up four goals on 32 shots in the Hurricanes loss to the Flames on Sunday. Curtis McElhinney started the last two games, including last night, so look for Mrazek to start Friday in New York. In his first start against the Rangers, Mrazek recorded the ‘W’ despite allowing five goals on 24 shots (Oct.7).
Lundqvist allowed four goals on 30 shots in the Rangers loss to the Kings on Monday. Lundqvist has dropped two straight starts while allowing a combined seven goals on 53 shots (.868 SV%). Tonight he faces a Hurricanes team that has gone 12-4-1 in their last 17 games—however they played in Buffalo last night.
Saros allowed one goal on 28 shots in the Predators win in Florida last Friday. Saros has been great in his last two starts, stopping 74 of the 76 shots (.974 SV%) that he faced. In his first start vs. Dallas this season, Saros gave up four goals on 24 shots but walked away on the winning end of a 5-4 overtime final (Nov.10).
Howard allowed two goals on 21 shots in the Red Wings overtime win over the Maple Leafs last Friday. Howard has won two straight while stopping 51 of 55 shots (.927 SV%). Tonight he takes on a Golden Knights team that has lost four of their last five but rank 15th in the NHL in goal-scoring (2.93 GF/pg).
Quick allowed three goals on 27 shots in the Kings win in New York on Monday. Quick has allowed three goals in three straight games, stopping 85 of the 94 shots (.904 SV%) that he has faced. Quick, who has gone 3-6-2 with a 3.31 GAA and .895 SV% on the road this season, will be in tough against a Flyers team riding an eight-game win streak.
Greiss stopped all 41 shots that he faced in the Islanders 1-0 shootout loss to the Lightning last Friday. Greiss has been outstanding as of late, going 2-0-1 while stopping 98 of the last 99 shots (.990 SV%) that he has faced. Greiss is also 2-0-0 with a 1.46 GAA, .961 SV% and one shutout in two games against the Devils this season, so he is a must-start tonight.
McElhinney stopped all 23 shots that he faced in the Hurricanes shutout win in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. It was an impressive return to the crease for the veteran netminder, who will make his second straight start tonight in Buffalo. For a goalie who was waived at the start of the season, McElhinney has been dialled in most of the season and comes into Thursday’s game at 5-4-0 with a 2.67 GAA, .907 SV% and one shutout on the road.
DeSmith allowed three goals on 40 shots in the Penguins win over the Senators last Friday. With Matt Murray out, DeSmith could get the next couple of starts. DeSmith has gone 4-6-2 with a 2.83 GAA, .903 SV% and one shutout on the road this year.
