Grant spent all of last season with the Ducks, recording 12 goals and 12 assists (24 points) in 66 games. So far this season he has one goal in one AHL game but could draw into the Penguins lineup on Tuesday.
Jarry backed up Casey DeSmith last week, but Matt Murray returned to the bench on Saturday so there’s no reason for the Penguins to carry three goaltenders. The 23-year-old netminder has yet to make an appearance this season, but was 9-5-0 with a 3.05 GAA and .901 SV% in 16 AHL games last year.
Carey Price missed Saturday’s game with the flu and now it looks like it has affected Shaw. With the bottom-6 agitator likely out of the lineup, look for Matthew Peca to draw in against Detroit.
Niemi allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Canadiens win over the Penguins on Saturday. Niemi won his first start of the season, filling in for Carey Price who was out with the flu. Price was back on the ice for Monday’s morning skate, but it looks like the Habs will stick with Niemi versus the Red Wings. Detroit is 0-3-2 and are averaging just 2.20 goals per game so far.
Sparks allowed six goals on 31 shots in the Maple Leafs overtime win over the Blackhawks on October 7th. Despite not having a back-to-back and Frederik Andersen winning three in a row, it looks like Sparks will face the Kings tonight. Los Angeles comes into Monday’s game averaging just 2.20 goals for per game—tied for 25th in the NHL.
DeKeyser was forced to leave Saturday’s game in Boston after playing just 1:31 TOI and did not return. Head coach Jeff Blashill told reporters that DeKeyser is going to see a specialist on Tuesday and that will help determine how long the seventh-year defenseman will be out. Dennis Cholowski will replace DeKeyser vs. the Canadiens.
Cholowski has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury, but is expected to play on Monday. Jeff Blashill wouldn’t go as far as to confirm Cholowski’s return, but he would replace Danny DeKeyser if he does play. The rookie defenseman has had a great start to his NHL career, picking up one goal on five shots and two assists in three games.
The Penguins are still waiting for official word on Schultz’s injury, but it looks like he is going to miss some time. Schultz was forced to leave Saturday’s game with a gruesome looking leg/ankle injury and left the Bell Centre with crutches and a boot. “We are losing a good hockey player,” Jack Johnson told reporters, suggesting that the early prognosis is not good. If Schultz does miss time, Just Riikola will have a full-time roster spot moving forward and Jamie Oleksiak will draw into the lineup on Tuesday.
Anderson stopped 36 of 37 shots in the Senators win over the Kings on Saturday afternoon. Anderson has had two bad starts and two good starts this season, posting a 3.52 GAA and .913 SV% overall. Things won’t get any easier for him on Monday. The Stars are in town averaging the fifth most goals in the league (4.25) so far.
Sobotka has been out since the season opener but will draw back in on the Sabres third line on Saturday. He played 18:42 TOI in his Sabres debut.
