Hedman was a full participant in practice on Friday and he is in the morning skate today. He was listed as questionable for today, but his availability this morning, is a good sign that he could return to the lineup tonight.
Jokipakka, 23, has three assists in 16 games with the Stars this season. While in Texas, he has three goals and one assist in 15 games.
McKenzie, 23, had one goal in 14 games with the Stars earlier this season. In his time with Texas, he registered 13 points (4G / 9A) in 16 games. He has been recalled because Brett Ritchie has been placed on IR with an undisclosed injury.
Ritchie suffered an undisclosed injury in Thursday’s loss to Winnipeg. The 21-year-old had registered three goals, one assist and 21 shots in eight games during his recall. He will miss at least the next three games, but could return after the All Star break.
Tokarski allowed three goals on 34 shots in the Canadiens’ loss to the Senators on Thursday. With Carey Price out with an upper-body injury, Tokarski will start for a second straight game. He is 4-3-1 with a 2.33 GAA and .922 SV% on the year, but draws a terrible matchup with the Isles in town.
Akeson averages nearly a point per-game with the Phantoms, recording eight goals and nine assists for 17 points in 19 games this season. He began the 2014-15 season with the Flyers appearing in 12 games, going scoreless while averaging 7:36 of ice-time per-game. His recall likely means that Scott Laughton will miss some time with an upper-body injury.
Peters has not started an NHL game since November 29th. In two games with Hershey (AHL) last week he went 1-1-0 with a 1.51 GAA and .948 SV% during the conditioning stint. With the Capitals he is 2-31 with a 3.29 GAA and. 872 SV%, so be careful with his matchup vs. the NHL’s sixth best offence.
Perreault was injured when he was cross-checked by Blackhawks forward Daniel Carcillo midway through the second period. The Jets are off on Saturday, so we likely won’t have an update on Perreault’s status until Sunday’s morning skate in advance of their game against the Coyotes.
Schneider exited after the first period with what Lou Lamoriello called an “upper-body” injury. Schneider appeared in obvious after taking a Matt Beleskey shot off his right collarbone and/or mask 3:31 into the first period. “He's feeling better right now, but he couldn't go back in,” Lamoriello said. Lamoriello said that Schneider did not require X-rays but would not speculate on if Schneider might miss Monday's game in San Jose or how long he might be out.
Varlamov turned aside 30 of 32 shots in Colorado’s 4-2 victory over the Panthers on Thursday. Varlamov has won four of his last five starts with a 1.82 GAA and .955 SV%. He is red-hot right now, but draws a rough matchup in Tampa Bay. The Lightning continue to pace the NHL with a 3.22 goals per game.
Stepan missed last night’s game with an upper-body injury that he suffered on Tuesday, but he will play tonight. J.T Miller will be a healthy scratch and Stepan will skate in his usual spot between Chris Kreider and Martin St. Louis. Stepan has six goals and 21 assists (27 points) in 28 games this season.
Calvert missed the morning skate, but will be in the lineup tonight despite battling an illness. Sean Collins will be a healthy scratch with Calvert playing and Josh Anderson making his NHL debut.
Stepan was listed as a game-time decision after missing last night’s game with an upper-body injury. He is wearing an ‘A’ in warmups, which is a solid indication that he should return to the lineup.
Calvert missed the morning skate and was listed as a game-time decision, but his availability for warmups is a good sign that he could play tonight. There is no word on who would come out of the lineup if he plays.
Miller stopped all 30 shots that he faced in the Canucks shutout win over the Flyers last night. After only starting one game in the previous 11 days, Miller is fresh enough to get starts on back-to-back nights. He should make for a good start tonight in Carolina.
Beleskey served as a healthy scratch in Wednesday's game, but he will be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Devils. He is second on the team in goals (behind Corey Perry) with 17. He will skate on a line with Rickard Rakell and Devante Smith-Pelly.
Hutchinson allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Jets win over the Panthers on Tuesday. He was given last night off, but it is his turn in the rotation so he will draw the tough assignment of taking on the Hawks in Chiago tonight. He is an impressive 2-0-0 with a 0.50 GAA and .986 SV% vs. the Blackhawks this season.
Ortio stopped 27 of 28 shots in the Flames 4-1 win over the Coyotes on Thursday. Since being recalled from Adirondack he has gone 2-0-0 with a 0.50 GAA, .984 SV% and one shutout. He will make his third straight start tonight in San Jose—the Sharks are 5-5-0 in their last 10 games.
Bobrovsky allowed three goals on 31 shots in Wednesday’s loss to Montreal. Bobrovsky’s success in December has not carried over to January—he is 1-4-0 with a 4.25 GAA and .874 SV% in five starts in 2015. Tonight he will make his second start of the year vs. the Rangers, he made 24 saves in a 5-2 win back in October.
