Zajac took a maintenance day on Monday, but will accompany the team to Winnipeg for Tuesday’s game. The Devils recalled Miles Wood from Albany (AHL) ahead of the road-trip, so expect him to play if Zajac can’t play vs. the Jets.
Wood, 21, was a fourth-round pick (100th overall) in 2013. The American-born winger has picked up three goals and three assists (six points) in 14 games with Albany. Wood will be at practice on Monday and could make his season debut this week.
Jurco missed the start of the season with a back injury, but went to Grand Rapids for a two-game conditioning stint on the weekend and he picked up one goal and one assist. With Tyler Bertuzzi going on IR, Jurco has been recalled and could be in the lineup on Tuesday.
Bertuzzi had to be helped off of the ice during the Red Wings’ overtime loss to the Canadiens on Saturday. Bertuzzi’s injury will force him to miss at least one week, so they’ve placed him on IR. Tomas Jurco has been recalled from Grand Rapids (AHL) to take Bertuzzi’s spot on the roster.
Niskanen left Saturday’s game with a lower-body injury and did not return and missing Monday’s practice suggests that he could miss some time. The Capitals don’t play until Thursday, so monitor Niskanen’s status as the week progresses.
Oshie has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury, but he was back on the ice for Monday’s practice, which is a good sign for Oshie moving forward. Oshie didn’t have a timetable for his return, but practicing is a good sign that he’ll be back later this week.
Smith was injured midway through the Red Wings’ overtime loss to the Canadiens on Saturday. The Red Wings are already without Alexey Marchenko, so expect them to recall a defenseman from Grand Rapids (AHL), but for Xavier Ouellet to get back into the lineup for Tuesday’s game.
Liles played just 2:24 TOI before leaving the game with an upper-body injury. The Bruins are already without Zdeno Chara, so losing Liles would force them to recall a defenseman if neither veteran defenseman are ready to play on Tuesday.
Strome will be a healthy scratch for the second straight game. Strome is coming off of a rough 2015-16 season and has picked up just six points (2G / 4A) in 19 games this season.
Greiss allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Islanders loss in San Jose last Friday. Despite the loss, he will start for the third time in four games. Greiss has gone 2-2-0 with a 3.12 GAA and .903 SV% in four starts on home-ice and he will face a Flames team that has gone 3-2-0 on their current road-trip.
Greiss allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Islanders loss in San Jose last Friday. Despite the loss, he will start for the third time in four games. Greiss has gone 2-2-0 with a 3.12 GAA and .903 SV% in four starts on home-ice and he will face a Flames team that has gone 3-2-0 on their current road-trip.
Staal played just 2:54 before leaving Sunday’s game after taking a stick to the head and neck area. With Staal out, Victor Rask played 20:49 and Jay McClement played 15-plus minutes for the second time in 21 games. There was no post-game update on Staal’s condition, but expect an update before Tuesday’s game in New York.
Allen allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Blues’ win over the Wild on Saturday. Allen has now won five games in a row while posting a 1.77 GAA and .943 SV%. Tonight, Allen will make his 10th start on home ice—in the previous nine he has gone 7-0-2 with a 1.42 GAA and .947 SV%. He is a must-start on Monday.
