Moore recorded an assist in his NHL debut before the Christmas break and returns to the Maple Leafs with Tyler Ennis out. Moore has 17 goals and seven assists (24 points) in 27 games with the Marlies.
Pirri played in the final three games before the Christmas break, scoring three goals on nine shots with one assist. The 27-year-old has been outstanding this season, picking up 41 points (17G / 24A) in 28 AHL games. Pirri will likely continue skating in the top-6 while Max Pacioretty is out.
Murray stopped all 39 shots that he faced in the Penguins shutout win in Carolina last Saturday. Murray has been brilliant since returning from injury, winning three straight games while stopping 108 of the 112 shots (.964 SV%) that he has faced. Murray has a good chance to make it four in a row against a Red Wings team without two top-6 forwards and their top defenseman.
Anderson suffered a concussion in New Jersey on December 21st and will miss at least the next two games after the Christmas break. With Anderson out, Mike McKenna will serve as the Senators No.1 netminder moving forward.
Vasilevskiy surrendered three goals on 28 shots in the Lightning’s win in Edmonton last Saturday. Since returning from a fractured foot, Vasilevskiy has gone 3-0-1 with a 2.70 GAA and .930 SV%. The 24-year-old has been outstanding this season, especially at home, where he has gone 7-3-0 with a 2.30 GAA and .932 SV%.
Mrazek allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Hurricanes win over the Bruins last Sunday. Mrazek only started one game in November but has already played in seven games this month, going 3-4-0 with a 2.47 GAA, .914 SV% and one shutout. The 26-year-old comes into Thursday’s game at 2-4-1 with a 2.47 GAA and .910 SV% on the road this year.
How Dumba suffered the injury remains a mystery but the Wild are holding out hope that Dumba will be able to return later this season and be ready for the playoffs. Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin have taken on larger roles with Dumba sidelined.
Holtby allowed one goal on 37 shots in the Capitals win over the Sabres last Friday. Holtby has won four of his last five starts with a 1.98 GAA, .937 SV% and one shutout. One of those wins came against the Hurricanes, who he’ll face again tonight—he allowed five goals on 27 shots in a 6-5 shootout win in Carolina on December 14th.
With Craig Anderson still sidelined, Hogberg returns as the Senators’ No.2 netminder. Hogberg has gone 3-3-0 with a 2.32 GAA and .916 SV% with Belleville this season.
Blackwood stopped all nine shots that he faced after replacing Keith Kinkaid in the Devils loss to the Blue Jackets on Sunday. Since coming up from the AHL, Blackwood has stopped 53 of the 57 shots (.930 SV%) that he has faced. He’ll be in tough in his first start after the break, facing a Bruins team that is 13-4-0 on home-ice this season.
Hall missed two games earlier this month with a lower-body injury and apparently it is still lingering. With Hall out, look for Stefan Noesen to draw back into the lineup.
Blackwood stopped all nine shots that he faced after replacing Keith Kinkaid in the Devils loss to the Blue Jackets on Sunday. Since coming up from the AHL, Blackwood has stopped 53 of the 57 shots (.930 SV%) that he has faced. He’ll be in tough in his first start after the break, facing a Bruins team that is 13-4-0 on home-ice this season.
