Miller was acquired from the Rangers in a blockbuster trade on Monday and will make his Tampa Bay debut tonight vs. Buffalo. Miller, who has 40 points (13G / 27A) in 63 games this season, will start on a line with Tyler Johnson and Chris Kunitz.
Johnson was banged up late in the Lightning shootout win over the Maple Leafs on Monday. Johnson took part in the morning skate and was on a line with J.T. Miller and Chris Kunitz and is expected to be in tonight. Johnson has two goals and one assist during a three-game point streak.
Kucherov was hurt in Monday’s game vs. the Maple Leafs and is unlikely to play tonight. Kucherov did not take part in the morning skate and head coach Jon Cooper said that Kucherov is “up in the air but leaning toward doubtful.” Expect the newly acquired J.T. Miller to replace Kucherov in the lineup.
Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Lightning’s win over the Maple Leafs on Monday. Vasilevskiy has won three in a row and four of his last five starts while posting a 2.54 GAA and .922 SV%. It’s surprising that Vasilevskiy will get the front-end of the back-to-back, but he’s a must-start vs. the visiting Sabres.
Aho has been in the lineup for the last four games and even picked up two assists, but will come out tonight in Montreal. Brandon Davidson will make his Islanders debut in Aho’s spot as he draws in against his former team.
Johnston has picked up three goals and two assists in 12 games with the Islanders. Following the acquisition of Chris Wagner, Johnston will take a seat tonight in Montreal.
Davidson is on his third team of the season and has picked up three goals and two assists in 36 games with the Oilers and Canadiens. He was acquired from Edmonton before the deadline and will replace Sebastian Aho in Montreal as he draws in vs. his former team.
Wagner, who picked up six goals and nine assists (15 points) in 64 games with the Ducks this season, was acquired for Jason Chimera on Monday. Wagner will replace Ross Johnston in the lineup tonight and will make his debut on a line with Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck.
Halak allowed two goals on 33 shots in the Islanders loss in New Jersey on Saturday. Halak has lost three in a row (0-2-1) while posting a 3.31 GAA and .896 SV%. It has been a rough year for Halak, who has gone 7-10-3 with a 3.06 GAA and .907 SV% on the road this season. Tonight he gets a crack at the team that drafted him in 2003.
Bournival, 25, has picked up 15 goals and 16 assists (31 points) in 49 games with Syracuse this season. With both Nikita Kucherov and Tyler Johnson banged up, Bournival could draw into the lineup on Wednesday. The 25-year-old has just 22 points (12G / 10A) in 112 career NHL games.
