Bernier allowed two goals on 42 shots in the Maple Leafs 3-2 win over the Panthers on Tuesday. He has won three of his last four while posting a 2.48 GAA and .932 SV%. Tonight he faces a dangerous Tampa Bay team—the Lightning rank first in goals (3.25 G/PG), but 14th in goals against (2.57 GA/PG).
Seguin has been out since February 13th, but today showed that he is progressing way ahead of scheduled and could be back much sooner than expected. The Stars should release an updated timetable soon.
Mitchell has been out with an upper-body injury since February 3rd, but is expected to return tonight vs. the Stars. Mitchell has averaged 22:12 TOI and registered five points, 17 PIMS and 49 SOG in 49 games with the Panthers this season.
Schlemko will suit up for his third team this season when the Flames take on the Bruins tonight. Schlemko has registered one goal and three assists in 25 games between the Coyotes and Stars this season. He will be paired with Raphael Diaz tonight.
Ovechkin missed Thursday’s morning skate, so he will be a game-time decision tonight. He is expected to take part in warmups and then the Capitals will make a decision on whether or not Ovi will be in the lineup vs. the Wild.
Grigorenko was recalled on Tuesday, sent down on Wednesday and then recalled again on Thursday. Grigorenko did not play on Tuesday because of a knee injury, but he is expected to play Friday in Ottawa.
Montoya was injured on Tuesday and will miss at least two weeks with a groin injury. Roberto Luongo is also out, so the Panthers will have to go with Dan Ellis until Luongo is back. Montoya won’t be back until mid-March at the earliest.
Luongo will miss Thursday and Saturday’s games, but is expected to be healthy for next Thursday’s game against the Jets. With Luongo and Al Montoya out, the Panthers will turn to veteran Dan Ellis in the meantime.
Holtby allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Capitals 5-3 win in Columbus on Tuesday. He has turned aside 59 of 62 shots (.952 SV%) in back-to-back wins. Tonight he will start at home against a surging Minnesota team—he has gone 15-6-4 with a 2.01 GAA and .927 SV% at home this season.
Bishop was slated to start Tuesday’s game, but did not take any shots in warmups and ended up not starting vs. the Sabres. Tonight it looks like he will face the struggling Maple Leafs—he has won four of his last five while posting a 1.81 GAA and .935 SV%.
Namestnikov, 22, has registered 35 points (14G / 21A) in 34 games with Syracuse this season. He will be in the lineup tonight vs. the Maple Leafs—the 2011 first-round pick has seven points (3G / 4A) in 26 games with the Lightning.
Brown is reportedly dealing with an upper-body injury that will keep him out of tonight’s game vs. the Maple Leafs. Vladimir Namestnikov has been recalled and is expected to be in the lineup tonight.
Holtby allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Capitals 5-3 win in Columbus on Tuesday. He has turned aside 59 of 62 shots (.952 SV%) in back-to-back wins. Tonight he will start at home against a surging Minnesota team—he has gone 15-6-4 with a 2.01 GAA and .927 SV% at home this season.
Burakovsky was sent down to make him eligible for the AHL playoffs. He has registered nine goals and 12 assists (21 points) in 48 games with the Capitals this season.
Martin will miss Thursday’s game against Nashville after being suspended for his knee-on-knee hit on Trevor Daley on Tuesday. Expect him to return on Saturday in Florida.
Byfuglien was injured in a collision in the second period. He finished the shift, but then immediately went to the room. Jets coach Paul Maurice did not have an update on on Byfuglien after the game, saying “we’ll know more [Thursday].”
After being acquired from the Sharks, Sheppard will make his Rangers debut on Wednesday. He will replace Tanner Glass and will skate on the fourth line with Dominic Moore and Jesper Fast.
Talbot made 25 saves in the Rangers 4-1 win over the Predators on Monday. He has won four out of his last five starts while posting a 1.97 GAA, .933 SV% and one shutout. Tonight he will face a Red Wings team who are 4-1-1 while averaging 3.33 goals per game in their last six contests.
Fleury allowed three goals on 25 shots in Penguins 5-3 win over the Blue Jackets on Sunday. After losing three in a row, Fleury has bounced-back with three straight victories. He comes into tonight having shut the Avs out in their last meeting and searching for his seventh career 30-plus win season.
Clarkson will miss 4-6 weeks with a torn oblique, so his season is likely done. He has played just three games with the Blue Jackets after being acquired from the Maple Leafs and it already looks like he is done for the year.
