Russell has missed the last seven games with an undisclosed injury, but he is expected to draw back into the lineup tonight in Dallas. Russell finished last year with the Stars, so he is probably excited to be back in the lineup for this particular game. He has three assists in 11 games with the Oilers so far.
Caggiula has missed the first 18 games of the season because of a hip injury, but will draw into the lineup on Saturday. The 22-year-old forward is coming off of a season in which he collected 51 points (25G / 25A) in 39 games at the University of North Dakota.
Landeskog will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury. With Landeskog out, A.J. Greer will remain in the lineup for his third career NHL games. Monitor Landeskog’s status prior to Monday’s game.
Duchene will miss his fourth straight game because of a concussion. Duchene appeared to be getting close when he skated earlier the week, but he is not quite there. The Avs’ next game is on Monday, so monitor his status that morning.
Smith gave up two goals on 24 shots in the Coyotes’ loss in Calgary on Wednesday. It was a strong return to the crease for Smith, who missed 12 games with a lower-body injury. Tonight he faces a Sharks team that has surprisingly struggled this season—they come in ranked 25th in the NHL in scoring (2.29 G/PG).
Steen will not play Saturday vs. the Predators because of an undisclosed injury that he suffered on Tuesday. With Steen out, Ty Rattie will get into the lineup for the second time this season.
Mason allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Flyers’ win vs. the Jets on Thursday. Mason has allowed a combined five goals on 78 shots (.936 SV%). This afternoon he will face a Lighting team that has won three in a row while averaging 4.00 goals per game, but who will be without Steven Stamkos.
Vasilevskiy stopped all 34 shots that he faced in the Lightning’s shutout win over the Islanders on Monday. Vasilevskiy has won his last two starts while turning aside 65 of 66 shots (.985 SV%). This afternoon he faces a Flyers team that has lost four of their last six games.
Hertl has returned to San Jose and will miss Saturday’s game and possibly more depending on the result of his MRI. With Hertl out, Michael Haley will draw into the lineup and rookie Kevin LaBanc will skate on the top-line with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski.
Because of the early start in Arizona tonight, the Sharks have elected not to hold a morning skate, which means we won’t know who their starting goalie is until later. They may announce their starter when they get to the rink around 6 p.m. ET or we may have to wait until warmups (7:30 p.m. ET).
Dvorak has bounced around from the NHL and AHL so far this season, but has yet to appear in a game with Tucson (AHL). In 12 games with the Coyotes, he has one goal and four assists (five points) and will draw back onto the second line tonight with Brad Richardson (leg) out indefinitely.
Hutchinson allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Jets’ loss in Colorado on November 11th. Connor Hellebuyck hast started the last three games, but Hutchinson will go tonight in Boston. He carries a 3.15 GAA and .896 SV% into tonight’s matchup with one of the NHL’s hottest goaltenders.
Kristo, 26, was a second round pick in 2008, but has never made it to the NHL. The American-born winger has collected two assists in eight games with Chicago (AHL) this season and will report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
McNeill, 24, was a sixth round pick (170th overall) in 2010 and has never appeared in an NHL game. The 6-foot-4, 215 lbs. defenseman has one goal and one assist in 14 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season and will report to Chicago (AHL).
Allen allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Blues’ win over the Sharks on Thursday. Allen has won his last two starts while stopping 52 of 55 shots (.946 SV%). He’ll get the nod against a surging Predators team—Nashville has won four of their last five while averaging 3.60 goals per game.
Khudobin has not appeared in a game since October 22nd because of an upper-body injury, but he has been cleared to start Saturday with Providence. He will likely make one start before returning as Tuukka Rask’s backup.
Ryan was hurt in the Senators’ loss to Nashville on Thursday. With Ryan sidelined, the Senators have recalled Curtis Lazar from Binghamton (AHL) and he will draw into the lineup. Consider Ryan as day-to-day.
Hoffman took part in the Senators’ optional morning skate, but he remains doubtful to play vs. the Panthers. With Hoffman likely out, Max McCormick will remain in the lineup for the second straight game.
Pastrnak continues to battle an upper-body injury and will miss a second straight game. With Pastrnak sidelined, Riley Nash will skate on the Bruins’ top line again. Pastrnak is considered day-to-day.
Eller played just one shift in Friday’s shutout win over the Red Wings. He left with what the Capitals are now describing as an upper-body injury. There’s no word on how Eller got hurt, but it sounds like it will keep him sidelined for at least a few weeks.
