The Coyotes did not skate this morning because of their recent busy schedule, so head coach Dave Tippett said he will know more about Hanzal’s availability closer to game-time. Hanzal missed Tuesday’s game with a lower-body injury.
Smith-Pelly has missed the last three games with a shoulder injury that he suffered vs. the Kings last Wednesday. Head coach Bruce Boudreau would not commit to Smith-Pelly being in the lineup, but the 22-year-old forward deemed himself “good to go.”
Beauchemin has missed the last five games after he was hospitalized with an illness. He will provide a big boost to the Ducks blue line who have had to have inexperienced players play large minutes in Beauchemin’s absence. He is averaging 22:51 TOI per game, so expect him to play close to that in his return tonight. He has four assists in 15 games.
Datsyuk is not on the ice for the Red Wings morning skate so it looks like he will not play for the second straight game. He continues to battle a groin injury and will now target Saturday vs. Toronto for a return.
Marchand was back on the ice for Bruins practice on Thursday morning, but he will not travel with the team. He will miss his second straight game and remains day-to-day. He should be considered questionable for Saturday’s game vs. the Habs.
Jokipakka will slide back into the Stars lineup tonight for the first time since November 1st. Jokipakka will look to have a strong game in order to carve out a long-term role on the Stars’ blue line in a state of flux right now. He has no points and a minus-3 rating in three games.
Russell, who missed Tuesday’s game, was expected to be on the ice this morning and potentially return to the lineup tonight vs. the Hawks. His absence this morning puts his status for tonight in serious doubt.
Paajarvi will be back in the lineup tonight after sitting for the last three games. He has one assist in six games this season and is expected to skate with Alex Steen and Paul Stastny tonight vs. the Habs.
Stajan suffered the injury in late October, but avoided any structural damage and is back skating on his own three and a half weeks into his 4-6 week return timeline.
Nestrasil, 23, was the Red Wings third-round pick in 2009. He had two assists in 13 games with Detroit this season. He was also a member of the Calder Cup Champion Grand Rapids Griffins in 2013.
Bishop stopped 15 of 16 shots in a win over the Rangers on Monday. It was an easy night for Bishop, who is tied for third in the NHL with 11 wins. He is also 14th in GAA (2.26) and 16th in SV% (.919). He is an excellent fantasy option every time he gets the call, especially vs. a struggling Leafs team.
Pavelec was pulled after he allowed three goals on 11 shots in a loss to the Wild on Sunday. He was given Tuesday night off, but will get back in the cage tonight vs. the Red Wings. Pav enters play tonight at 3-2-1 wit ha 1.85 GAA and .940 SV% in November. The matchup isn’t great, but it could be worse.
Hedman has been on the ice recently but still has not been shooting the puck. Until he is cleared for shooting drills, the Lightning’s star defenseman’s return remains a week or two away.
Lehtonen was pulled after he allowed four goals on 16 shots in a 6-4 loss to the Hurricanes on Tuesday. He has allowed 12 goals on 85 shots (.859 SV%) in his last three starts (all losses). His recent struggles make him a risky start, even at home vs. the Coyotes.
Weaver missed Tuesday’s game with an upper-body injury that he suffered on Sunday vs. the Red Wings. Nathan Beaulieu will stay in the lineup if Weaver is unable to go again.
Hamilton missed practice on Wednesday, but is back on the ice this morning which is a good sign that he will be available on Friday.
Lazar left the morning skate early and is out with a minor injury according to Paul MacLean. Colin Greening will get back into the lineup with Lazar sidelined.
Trotman was sent down when Kevan Miller was reactivated, but with Adam McQuaid out for 6-8 weeks, Trotman has been recalled as the Bruins’ seventh defenseman again.
Hutton gave up two goals on 25 shots in a loss to the Jets on November 4th. He sat for the next six games, but is back in tonight to give Pekka Rinne a breather. He draws a decent matchup against a Senators team who rank 13th in scoring with 2.71 goals per game. There are plenty of spot-start options out there, but Hutton will be playing behind a red-hot offence.
Bernier did not take part in the Maple Leafs’ optional morning skate which suggests he will get the nod tonight vs. Tampa Bay. He was yanked on Tuesday after giving up three goals on 12 shots in the Leafs’ embarrassing 9-2 loss to Nashville. It won’t be easy for him to bounce back with the Lightning’s hot offence in town.
