Zacha played just 8:53 TOI and did not return for the third period of yesterday’s win over the Canadiens. The Devils didn’t have an update on Zacha’s status postgame, so consider him questionable heading into Thursday’s game vs. the Jets.
Nielsen was caught by a hit from David Backes during the first period of last night’s game. The hit to the head earned Backes a hearing with the Department of Player Safety and is likely going to keep Nielsen out “for a little bit,” according to head coach Jeff Blashill.
Smith left yesterday’s game after being hit late in the second period and left the ice holding his left side. Head coach Gerard Gallant did not have an update on Smith post-game, so expect the Golden Knights to provide an update prior to Thursday’s game in Detroit.
Scheifele was hurt in a collision with teammate Blake Wheeler in the first period and stiffened up on the bench. The Jets are locked into a playoff spot so they don’t need to risk Scheifele suffering further injury. Their No.1 centre will be re-evaluated on Wednesday and he should be considered questionable heading into Thursday’s game in New Jersey.
Simmonds has missed the last seven games with an upper-body injury, but he was back at practice on Tuesday and is expected to play vs. the Penguins on Wednesday. Simmonds, who has 20 goals and 17 assists in 59 games this season, will start on a line with Valtteri Filppula and Jordan Weal and re-claims his spot on the top power-play unit.
Raanta was scheduled to start Monday’s game but was a very late scratch because of some “tightness” in warmups. Adin Hill was recalled from Tucson (AHL) prior to Wednesday’s game in Vancouver, so don’t expect Raanta to dress tonight. Look for Darcy Kuemper to get another start with Hill as his backup and monitor Raanta’s status heading into this weekend’s back-to-back.
Berube allowed two goals on 10 shots after replacing Anton Forsberg in the Blackhawks loss in Anaheim on Sunday. Since being recalled, Berube has allowed a combined nine goals on 81 shots (.889 SV%) in three appearances. He will be in tough tonight vs. an Avalanche team that has gone 4-1-2 while averaging 3.71 goals for per game in their last seven games.
Rinne allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Predators win in Colorado on Sunday. No one can beat Rinne right now. The Finnish netminder has won six in a row and is 11-1-1 in his last 13 contests. Tonight he catches the Stars on the tail-end of a back-to-back and stopped 30 of 31 shots in a 4-1 win in their first meeting of the season.
Lundqvist allowed one goal on 51 shots in the Rangers win in Calgary on Friday. Lundqvist has faced 50-plus shots in back-to-back games, winning both of them while stopping 100 of 106 shots (.943 SV%). Tonight he will face on of the best teams in hockey at Madison Square Garden, where King Henrik is 16-8-3 with a 2.83 GAA and .911 SV% this season.
Holtby allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Capitals win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday. It was a big win for Holtby, who was struggling entering the outdoor contest. He has not been great on the road this season, but stopped 28 of 30 shots in a 3-2 OT win in his first start vs. the Ducks.
Rinne allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Predators win in Colorado on Sunday. No one can beat Rinne right now. The Finnish netminder has won six in a row and is 11-1-1 in his last 13 contests. Tonight he catches the Stars on the tail-end of a back-to-back and stopped 30 of 31 shots in a 4-1 win in their first meeting of the season.
Holtby allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Capitals win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday. It was a big win for Holtby, who was struggling entering the outdoor contest. He has not been great on the road this season, but stopped 28 of 30 shots in a 3-2 OT win in his first start vs. the Ducks.
Smith has been sidelined with a lower-body injury since February 11th but he returned to the ice for practice in Buffalo today. This is a big step in Smith’s recovery but he will likely need a number of skates before he is ready to return to the Flames’ crease.
It looks like Boeser’s amazing rookie season is going to be cut short after he fractured his back late in Monday’s win over the Islanders. If this does wrap up his season, Boeser finishes the campaign with 29 goals and 26 assists (55 points) in 62 games.
Gibson allowed three goals on 40 shots in the Ducks win over the Blackhawks on Sunday. Gibson has won five in a row while allowing just nine goals on 171 shots (.947 SV%). Tonight he will face the Capitals for the second time this season—he allowed three goals on 27 shots in a 3-2 OT loss in Washington in mid-December.
Smith has missed the last two games with what was being called rest, but he was back on the ice for the morning skate on Tuesday and is expected to play vs. Dallas. Smith has had a nice season, picking up 20 goals and 19 assists (39 points) in 62 games.
