Jagr was back on the ice for the Flames’ morning skate, but the Flames said that he won’t play tonight and that they have a plan for him. Curtis Lazar will remain in the Flames lineup tonight with Jagr still sitting in the press box.
Smith gave up three goals on 28 shots in the Flames’ win over the Jets on Saturday. Smith’s Flames career has gotten off to a great start, as he has stopped 67 of 72 shots (.931 SV%) that he has faced through two starts. Tonight he will start in Anaheim, where the Flames have had basically no success for years.
Getzlaf missed the first two games of the season, but was on the ice for the Ducks morning skate and could return to the lineup tonight vs. the Flames. If the veteran centre does return tonight, it’s worth noting that he had six assists in five games vs. the Flames last season.
Ritchie missed Saturday’s game vs. the Flyers with a lower-body injury he suffered in the season opener. Ritchie has been listed as questionable for tonight. Throughout his young career, Ritchie has never recorded a point in eight games vs. the Flames.
Gibson allowed three goals on 37 shots in the Ducks’ overtime loss to the Flyers on Saturday. In the early part of the season, Gibson has gone 1-0-1 with a 3.48 GAA and .896 SV% and tonight he’ll start his third straight game vs. the Flames. Calgary has opened the season 1-1-0 with six goals for.
Kempe, 29, was a fifth round pick (No.122 overall) in 2007 but has played in just six career games in North America, spending the last three seasons in KHL and Sweden before that. Kempe had one goal and two assists (three points) in his Tucson Roadrunners debut, earning a call-up to the big club.
Strome failed to record a point with three shots on goal while averaging 12:09 TOI in his first two games of the season. The Coyotes obviously feel that Strome has some things to work on, so he will head to Tucson to grow his game a bit. Mario Kempe was recalled to take Strome’s spot on the roster.
Hamhuis left Saturday’s game after playing just 13:38 TOI and it looks like he could be in danger of missing tomorrow’s contest vs. Detroit. If Hamhuis doesn’t play, Juluis Honka could draw into the lineup for the first time this season.
Hanzal left Saturday’s game after playing just 8:14 TOI and did not return. Hanzal has had a difficult time with injuries in his career, but it sounds like he avoided anything serious this time around and should play tomorrow vs. the Red Wings. Hanzal had three shots on goal in 15:48 TOI in his Stars debut on Friday.
Hornqvist missed the first three games of the season, but skated on the third line and took part on the second PP unit in Monday’s practice. This is a big step for the Penguins’ winger, who would likely replace Conor Sheary in the lineup tomorrow if he were able to play.
Cole was smashed in the face by a Roman Josi slapshot on Saturday, resulting in some lost teeth and a mangled mouth. Cole obviously has some discomfort after the gruesome shot block, so look for Chad Ruhwedel to replace him on the blueline tomorrow.
Tokarski appeared in 27 games with San Diego (AHL) last season, going 17-8-1 with a 2.93 GAA and .898 SV%. The 28-year-old has had limited success in his brief NHL career, going 10-12-5 with a 2.84 GAA and .904 SV% in 34 career games between the Lightning, Canadiens and Ducks.
Anderson appeared in a game with Cleveland (AHL) over the weekend and will get into the Blue Jackets lineup tomorrow in Carolina. Anderson skated with Brandon Dubinsky and Matt Calvert on the third line on Monday.
Cracknell played 8:35 TOI in the Stars’ second game of the season and was placed on waivers shortly after. He’ll join the Rangers where he will be in a similar role of depth forward. He had 10 goals and six assists (16 points) in 69 games with Dallas a season ago.
Stafford played just 6:06 TOI in the Devils’ season opener and will not be available for today’s game in Buffalo. With Stafford sidelined, Jimmy Hayes will move up to play with Nico Hischier and Marcus Johansson.
Palmieri left the Devils season opener after playing just 10:29 TOI and will not be available for this afternoon’s game in Buffalo. With Palmieri out, Jesper Bratt will get an opportunity to play on the Devils’ top line with Taylor Hall and Pavel Zacha.
Schneider was excellent in his season debut, stopping 40 of 41 shots in the Devils win vs. Colorado on Saturday. Schneider will look to carry that success into this afternoon’s start in Buffalo. The 31-year-old netminder was terrible on the road last season, going 6-15-5 with a 2.99 GAA and .906 SV% in 27 starts outside of New Jersey.
Johnson allowed just one goal on 16 shots after replacing Robin Lehner in the Sabres loss in Brooklyn on Saturday. It was a strong relief appearance from the 31-year-old and earned him his first start of the season this afternoon. Johnson has a career 2.44 GAA and .915 SV% and his first start will come vs. a Devils team that will be missing Kyle Palmieri and Drew Stafford.
Talbot was yanked after allowing three goals on seven shots in the Oilers loss to the Canucks on Saturday. It was an ugly performance from Talbot, who had a tidy shutout in his first start of the season. Despite a nice relief appearance from Laurent Brossoit, the Oilers will go right back to their No.1 vs. a Jets team that has stumbled out of the gate.
Crawford made 32 saves on 33 shots in the Blackhawks’ win over the Blue Jackets on Saturday. Anton Forsberg started last night in Toronto, so they’ll go with Crawford tonight in Montreal. Crawford has had an excellent start to the season, winning his first two starts while stopping 60 of 62 shots (.968 SV%). Montreal is 1-2-0 with three goals in their first three games.
