Eriksson Ek, 19, had two goals and three assists (five points) in nine games with Minnesota. Before burning the first year of his entry-level contract, they’ve sent him back to Sweden. The former first round pick (No.20 overall in 2015) had 15 points (9G / 6A) in 41 games with Farjestad last season.
Condon allowed one goal on 32 shots in the Senators’ win in Buffalo on November 9th. Condon has been excellent in his first two starts with the Senators, winning each game while stopping 58 of 59 shots (.983 SV%). Condon has been great, but he draws a tough matchup against a Predators team that is surging right now.
McCormick, 24, has picked up three goals in 10 games with Binghamton this season. He failed to record a point in his only game with Ottawa and has four points (2G / 2A) in 21 career NHL games. McCormick is skating with Matt Puempel and Chris Neil this morning because Mike Hoffman is not on the ice for the morning skate.
Lehner allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Sabres’ loss in St. Louis on Tuesday. Lehner has now lost four straight games (0-3-1) while posting a 2.94 GAA and .906 SV%. Tonight Lehner will face a Lightning team that has won three of their last four games, but they come into tonight without Steven Stamkos, who is out with a knee injury.
Fedun, 28, has picked up two goals and 10 assists (12 points) in 14 games with Rochester. With Casey Nelson going down to Rochester, Fedun comes up and is expected to make his Sabres debut on Thursday. He has seven points (2G / 5A) in 12 career NHL games.
Mason allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Flyers’ shootout loss to Ottawa on Tuesday. The 28-year-old has gone 1-1-2 with a 2.88 GAA and .894 SV% in November and tonight he starts vs. a Jets team that has won four of their last five games. Mason is 3-2-2 with a 2.88 GAA and .896 SV% on home ice this season.
Bertuzzi, 21, has picked up three goals and three assists (six points) in 10 games with Grand Rapids, but failed to record a point in three games with the Red Wings. With Darren Helm out and Thomas Vanek not ready until Sunday, Bertuzzi will get another chance on Friday vs. the Capitals.
Saros was recalled from Milwaukee and was expected to replace Marek Mazanec as the Predators’ backup, but that wasn’t the case. He backed up Pekka Rinne for a few games, before Mazanec came back up and actually got the start while Rinne was out. With Rinne back for Thursday’s game, Saros is the goalie who heads back to Milwaukee.
Hall missed Tuesday’s game in Dallas and will miss 3-4 weeks because of a meniscus tear in his left knee. Hall has registered 12 points (5G / 7A) in 14 games this season and this loss will hurt the Devils for at least the next three weeks. With Hall out, expect Beau Bennett and Pavel Zacha to play bigger roles.
Helm was upended by Lightning defenseman Nikita Nesterov and came down hard on his shoulder. Helm left the ice in some pain and did not return to the game. On Wednesday the Red Wings announced that Helm will miss 6-8 weeks with a dislocated shoulder. Detroit will recall Tyler Bertuzzi for Friday’s game, but Thomas Vanek will be back on Sunday.
Stamkos left Tuesday’s game after getting twisted up on the sideboards. Stamkos was unable to put any weight on his leg as he left the ice and the Lightning confirmed the concern that it was a series injury. Stamkos has had a tough time with serious injuries during the last few years. He will undergo surgery for a lateral meniscus tear, but there is no timetable for his return.
Duchene has missed the last two games with concussion-like symptoms, but he was back on the ice on Wednesday and could be back in the lineup on Thursday. Monitor Duchene’s status during the morning skate, but it appears as if he will play in Dallas. Duchene has 11 points (6G / 5A) in 13 games this season.
Sharp has been out since October 20th, but was back on the ice on Tuesday in a no-contact jersey and appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. It doesn’t look like he will play vs. the Avalanche on Thursday, but a Saturday return seems likely.
Varlamov gave up one goal on 33 shots in Colorado’s win over the Kings on Tuesday. After a rough stretch, Varlamov has improved over his last three starts. The Russian netminder has won two of his last three starts while allowing just four goals on 96 shots (.958 SV%). Tonight he faces a Stars team that has lost five of their last seven games.
Johnson stopped all 27 shots that he faced in the Flames’ shutout win over the Wild last night. Johnson has now won three of his six starts while posting a 2.45 GAA and .910 SV%. With Brian Elliott struggling, Johnson will start for the second straight night. Johnson will face a Coyotes team that has lost three of their last four games.
Eakin has not appeared in a game this season thanks to an offseason knee injury, but he has been skating and could be ready to make his season debut on Thursday. Monitor Eakin’s status during the Stars’ morning skate on Thursday morning.
Hanzal missed the last five games with a lower-body injury, but will be back in the lineup on Wednesday. Hanzal can be a dominating force at times, but is also known to disappear. Hanzal has two goals and two assists (four points) in 10 games this season and tonight he will skate in between Max Domi and Radim Vrbata.
Smith has missed the last 12 games with a lower-body injury, but will return to the lineup tonight in Calgary. Smith has stopped 54 of 60 shots (.900 SV%) in his two appearances and the Coyotes went 4-8-0 without Smith, so his return should certainly help. Smith makes for a solid option tonight—the Flames have lost four of their last five games and will be without Johnny Gaudreau.
Kulikov has missed the last three games with an undisclosed injury and it looks like he will miss his fourth straight game on Thursday. With Kulikov out, Justin Falk will remain in the lineup. Kulikov is day-to-day and could return over the weekend.
O’Reilly has missed the last two games and it looks like he will miss a third straight game on Thursday. O’Reilly is listed as questionable, so monitor his status during the morning skate.
