Russell suffered an undisclosed injury in Colorado on Tuesday and was placed on IR this afternoon. The Oilers are without two of their top-6 defenseman, with Russell joining Oscar Klefbom (hand) on the injured list.
Varlamov was pulled after he gave up three goals on 18 shots in Colorado’s loss to the Oilers on Tuesday. Varlamov has struggled as of late, losing three in a row while giving up a combined 14 goals on 73 shots (.808 SV%). In his first start against the Stars, Varlamov stopped 27 of 29 shots in a 3-2 win on November 24th.
Grubauer allowed three goals on eight shots in a relief appearance of Semyon Varlamov against the Oilers on Tuesday. Grubauer has posted a 3.16 GAA and .900 SV% in 12 appearances this season but has been able to turn that into a 7-2-2 record. Tonight he faces a Blues team that has lost eight of their last 12 (4-7-1).
Khudobin allowed one goal on 29 shots in the Stars win over the Oilers on December 3rd. Khudobin has won his last two starts, allowing just four goals on 62 shots (.935 SV%). Khudobin draws a tough task as the starter behind a fatigued team in San Jose. He stopped 33 of 36 shots in a 4-3 win in his first start against the Sharks this season.
Rieder has been out since November 13th, missing 13 games, but will return to the lineup on Thursday. Rieder will skate on the fourth line and has no goals and seven assists in 18 games this season, so keep him on the waiver wire.
Caggiula has missed the last four games with a hand injury but was activated from IR on Wednesday and will play on Thursday. Caggiula is expected to skate on the fourth line with Ryan Spooner and Tobias Rieder.
Thornton missed Wednesday’s practice and is questionable to play Thursday vs. the Stars. The Sharks are being vague on Thornton’s injury but the fact he is a game-time decision suggests that it is minor. Thornton has just 12 points (4G / 8A) in 23 games this season.
Jones allowed two goals on 24 shots in the Sharks win over the Devils on Monday. Jones has been solid in his last four starts, going 3-1-0 while allowing just seven goals on 135 shots (.948 SV%). The one loss came to the Stars, who he’ll face again tonight—this time in San Jose. Jones is 8-2-2 with a 2.67 GAA and .905 SV% on home-ice this season.
Talbot allowed two goals on 33 shots in the Oilers win over the Wild last Friday. Talbot has won two straight while stopping 59 of 63 shots (.937 SV%). In three starts under Ken Hitchcock, Talbot has gone 2-1-0 with a 2.29 GAA and .925 SV%. He has a difficult task tonight in Winnipeg—the Jets are 11-4-2 on home-ice this season.
Nilsson surrendered three goals on 28 shots in the Canucks loss to the Wild on December 4th. Nilsson started the season 3-0-0 but has lost six in a row with a 3.36 GAA and .884 SV% since then. Nilsson is very difficult to trust regardless of matchup but he should absolutely stay on the bench against a Predators team that is 12-5-0 in Nashville.
Peca was a healthy scratch for the last three games but will replace Nicolas Deslauriers tonight. Peca has one goal and six assists (seven points) in 22 games this season.
Deslauriers has just two points in 24 games this season, averaging just 10:12 TOI/gm. Deslauriers will be replaced by Matthew Peca.
Price stopped all nine shots that he faced after replacing Antti Niemi in Minnesota on Tuesday. Price has played very well as of late, winning three in a row while allowing just six goals on 90 shots (.933 SV%). In his first start against the Hurricanes, Price allowed two goals on 22 shots in a 2-1 loss.
Andersen allowed one goal on 30 shots in the Maple Leafs win in Carolina on Tuesday. Andersen bounced-back from a rough outing in Boston to earn his 17th win of the season, which ranks second in the NHL. He draws a tough matchup against the Lightning, who are 14-4-0 on home-ice. Andersen is 10-3-0 with a 2.74 GAA and .920 SV% on the road.
Reilly was a healthy scratch in Minnesota on Tuesday but is expected to replace David Schlemko on Thursday. Reilly has six points (2G / 4A) in 25 games this season.
Schlemko has been held pointless in his last five games and was a minus-1 in 18:35 TOI in Minnesota on Tuesday. The Canadiens were blown out so they will make some changes tonight vs. the Hurricanes. Mike Reilly is expected to replace Schlemko on the blueline.
Buchnevich has been out since November 10th but is expected to play Friday vs. the Coyotes. Buchnevich has averaged just 14:53 TOI/gm this season but collected nine points (5G / 4A) in 14 games.
Zuccarello has missed the last seven games with a groin injury but is expected to play Friday vs. the Coyotes. Zuccarello has been dealing with a groin injury since the start of November. He has 10 points (3G / 7A) in 17 games this season.
Mrazek allowed four goals on 29 shots in the Hurricanes loss to the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Mrazek has gone 1-2-0 while allowing a combined six goals on 82 shots (.927 SV%) in his last three starts. Tonight he will take on a Canadiens team that has won four of their last six games while averaging 3.33 goals for per game.
Reimer allowed five goals on 39 shots in the Panthers loss to the Lightning on December 1st. Reimer has struggled this season, sitting tied for 49th in both GAA (3.36) and SV% (.893). Tonight he faces the Wild in Minnesota and comes in at 2-2-1 with a 3.42 GAA and .885 SV% on the road this season.
