Steen was at practice on Wednesday, but said that he will not play on Thursday vs. the Islanders. It will be the third straight game that he has missed, but his availability at practice on Wednesday suggests that he is close and could be back for Saturday's clash with the Avalanche.
Wiercioch has missed the last four games, but is expected to be back in the lineup on Thursday vs. the Kings. He has one goal and three assists in 15 games this season. To make room for Wiercioch, the Sens placed Milan Michalek (upper-body) on IR.
Michalek missed Monday’s game vs. the Canucks and will miss at least the rest of this week with an upper-body injury. With Michalek going on IR, the Senators have activated Patrick Wiercioch.
Enroth stopped all 34 shots that the Kings threw at him in the Sabres 1-0 shutout win on Tuesday. Enroth has been great lately and now has his GAA under 3.00 (2.91) and SV% up to .918. Tonight he takes on the Flames at home, where he has gone 4-5-1 with a 2.26 GAA and .932 SV% this season.
Anderson allowed three goals on 33 shots in the Sens comeback win over the Canucks on Sunday. The win snapped a lengthy losing streak for Anderson who now has a 6-7-4 record with a 2.50 GAA and .927 SV% on the season. He gets the call vs. the Kings at home, where he is 4-1 2 with a 1.96 GAA and .940 SV%.
Cunningham has been recalled on multiple occasions, but has only appeared in three games for the Bruins. In 21 games with Providence he has five goals and 10 assists (15 points).
Staal, who has been skating by himself lately, will join the team tomorrow for the first time this season. He remains without a timetable for when he will return to full practice, but this is another step in the right direction for Staal.
Semin missed Monday’s game with an undisclosed injury that he suffered on Sunday vs. Detroit. With Semin out, Chris Terry will remain in the lineup on Thursday vs. the Lightning.
Staal, who suffered a foot injury on Sunday vs. Detroit, played through the pain on Monday, but missed today’s practice. Coach Bill Peters expects to have Staal on the ice for tomorrow’s pre game skate and have him in the lineup when they take on the Lightning tomorrow night. Staal has gone cold, failing to record a point in his last four games. He has 15 points (6G / 9A) in 22 games this season.
Fasth allowed five goals on 24 shots in the Oilers loss to the Coyotes on December 1st. Ben Scrivens has started the last three games, but it will be Fasth tonight in Anaheim. It will be the first time he faces his former team this season, but they have won four in a row and the Oilers are…well the Oilers, so avoid this one.
Backes is not out there for practice for the second straight day. He took a puck to the face on Monday vs. the Panthers and could be in danger of missing tomorrow’s game vs. the Islanders. Backes is a tough dude, so I would expect him to play, but monitor his status during Thursday’s morning skate.
Howard allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Red Wings 3-2 win over the Rangers on Saturday. He was given Sunday off, but will be back between the pipes tonight at home vs. the Maple Leafs. Detroit did not play great the last time they faced Toronto, but Howie has played very well—going 1-1-0 with a 2.01 GAA and. 922 SV% in his two outings vs. the blue and white.
Falk, 26, has not recorded a point in three games with a the Wild this season. While in the AHL he has collected four points (1G / 3A) in 18 games.
Eller has missed the last two games and will miss at least the next two games, maybe more. Sven Andrighetto will stay with the Canadiens while Eller is sidelined.
The diagnostic process takes so long -- five to seven days, but Larsson is still recovering and is in isolation. Larsson becomes the 10th player on a growing list of players who have been diagnosed with mumps. Larsson has been out since December 2nd.
Ballard was hit from behind by Islanders’ forward Matt Martin and was driven face-first into the red dasher along the benches. He fell to the ice unconscious and convulsing. It was a scary scene, but Ballard was amazingly able to skate off with the help of trainers. There is no word on how serious the injury is and how long he will be out.
The Senators announced on the weekend that Lehner would be available on Thursday, so this is no surprise. No word yet on whether it will be Lehner or Craig Anderson who gets the nod vs. the Kings.
Hammond served as Craig Anderson’s backup for the last two games while Robin Lehner was sidelined with a minor knee injury. His return means Lehner is ready to go.
Rychel, 20, had a nice first career NHL stint, positing three assists in four games. The 2013 first round pick (19th overall) heads back to the AHL where he has 13 points (6G / 7A) in 22 games this season.
Goloubef has been sidelined with a knee injury since November 1st. Before getting hurt he had no points and a minus-1 rating while averaging 12:23 TOI in three games. The addition of Kevin Connauton and Jordan Leopold might squeeze Goloubef back to the AHL.
