Tanev (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision on Saturday.
Tanev missed Thursday’s game with an undisclosed injury, but could be in the lineup tonight vs. the Penguins. If he re-enters the lineup, expect Yannick Weber to sit.
NHL Hockey Player News
Injury
Corrado (undisclosed) will be out “for a bit”.
It was originally believed that Corrado was fighting an illness, but it sounds like he is dealing with an injury now. Expect more details to be released, but for now expect him to miss at least the next few games.
Goalie Start
Smith will start in goal vs. the Coyotes.
Smith made 40 saves on 41 shots in the Coyotes 2-1 shootout loss to the Hurricanes on Thursday. He has stopped 70 of 72 shots (.972 SV%) in his last two starts and is starting to look like his old-self again. He draws a tough matchup tonight with the Red Wings and their red-hot power-play in town.
Line Change
Kassian will likely be back in the Canucks lineup on Saturday.
Kassian has been a healthy scratch in the last three games, but he is expected to get back into the lineup tonight vs. the Penguins. Kassian has just six points (2G / 4A) in 26 games this season.
Goalie Start
No morning skate for the Blue Jackets. McElhinney made 32 saves in a win over the Blues last night, so no word whether he will go on back-to-back nights or if Anton Forsberg will get the call vs. Ottawa. Expect an update at 5 p.m ET.
Injury
Lehtera (head) will not play on Sunday.
Despite Lehtera saying that he thinks he will play on Sunday, Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock confirmed that Lehtera will not play tomorrow. Look for Lehtera to be back in the lineup on Tuesday.
Goalie Start
Elliott will start on Sunday vs. the Blackhawks.
Elliott was pulled after he allowed four goals on 14 shots in the Blues 7-1 loss to the Blue Jackets on Friday. Jake Allen didn’t fare much better, so it will be Allen again this afternoon vs. the Hawks. In his first start against Chicago, he made 22 saves in a 3-2 back in October.
Goalie Start
Miller did not take part in Canucks optional; probable starter.
Miller allowed five goals on 38 shots in a loss to the Sharks on Thursday. Despite Eddie Lack shutting out the Penguins in their last meeting, it looks like it will be Miller tonight. He has lost four of five with a 3.28 GAA and .874 SV% and the tough matchup will make it difficult for him to get back on track.
Injury
Lehtera (head) is expected to play on Sunday.
Lehtera has missed the last five games with concussion-like symptoms, but says that he expects to play tomorrow unless something unforeseen happens between now and then.
Bergenheim (illness) is questionable for Sunday.
Bergenheim did not take part in practice on Saturday because he was sent home with the flu. The Panthers will not have a morning skate on Sunday, so Bergenheim will likely be a game-time decision.
Mitchell is doubtful for Sunday’s game vs. Nashville.
Mitchell missed Thursday’s game with an upper-body injury and was not at Panthers practice this morning. With Mitchell missing practice it seems highly unlikely that Mitchell will play tomorrow against the Predators.
Stepan (illness) will be a game-time decision for this afternoon’s game.
Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault said that “it’s looking less than 50-50” that Stepan will play this afternoon. If Stepan is unable to play, Derick Brassard and Kevin Hayes would likely centre the top-2 lines.
Barrie (hip) will not play Saturday.
Barrie will miss his second straight game with a hip flexor ailment. With Barrie out, Stefan Elliott will remain in the lineup after a strong game vs. the Red Wings on Thursday. Barrie is day-to-day.
Goalie Start
Dubnyk will make his ninth straight start on Saturday.
Dubnyk stopped all 24 shots that he faced in the Wild’s 3-0 shutout win over the Blackhawks on Tuesday. He has won four in a row with a 0.75 GAA, .974 SV% and two shutouts. He has been ridiculously good since arriving in Minnesota and has a good chance at a fifth straight win with the low-scoring Avalanche team in town.
Line Change
Marincin in; Aulie out.
Marincin, who was recalled on Thursday, will play in his first game since November 25th. The young blue liner has recorded one assist with a minus-4 rating in 12 games with the Oilers this season.
Goalie Start
Fasth will make his third straight start on Saturday.
Fasth allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Oilers 2-0 loss to the Penguins on Wednesday. He played well against a strong offence, but when the team can’t score in front of you, there isn’t much you can do. He has actually not three of his last five starts while posting a 2.71 GAA and .908 SV%.
Phaneuf (hand) will not play on Saturday.
Phaneuf will miss his sixth straight game tonight. With the Maple Leafs all but out of the playoff race, they will not rush their captain back into play. Look for him to be back in the lineup on Tuesday vs. the Rangers.
Goalie Start
Bernier will start Saturday vs. Edmonton.
Bernier is not taking part in the Maple Leafs optional morning skate, which suggests he will start tonight after James Reimer went last night. Bernier allowed four goals on 28 shots in a loss to Nashville in his last start. He enters play with a 1-8-1 record, 3.06 GAA and .892 SV% in the 2015 calendar year. It has been a disaster in Toronto.
Anderson (hand) might travel to Buffalo on Monday.
Anderson will miss his fifth straight game tonight, but might travel on Monday, which would put him in-line to start Tuesday vs. the Sabres. It would be the perfect matchup to ease Anderson back into action.
Goalie Start
Lindback was the first goalie off of the ice for the Stars.
Lindback returned to the Stars after a two-game conditioning stint yesterday. He went 1-1-0 with a 1.89 GAA and .946 SV% with Texas and will make his first NHL start since January 15th. He has struggled, going 2-7-0 with a 3.79 GAA and .875 SV%, but has a strong enough matchup coming off of a nice conditioning stint to consider spot-starting him.
