Tatar missed the Devils' skate Wednesday but is expected to return to the lineup Thursday as the Devils take on the Rangers in a massive showdown. The 32-year-old has 17 goals, 24 assists, 136 SOG, 28 PIMs and a +38 plus/minus through 74 games this season.
Tatar has been enjoying a resurgent season, with nine goals, 13 assists, 71 SOG and a +20 plus/minus through 37 games played but will be a game-time decision Wednesday vs. Detroit after it was announced he is dealing with an undisclosed injury.
Tatar was scratched from the lineup on Tuesday and will miss his second straight game on Thursday. To help replace Tatar, the Devils recalled Alexander Holtz from the AHL and he will play in the Devils' top-6 on Thursday.
Tatar has missed the last three games while in COVID-19 protocol but will play Tuesday in Boston. Tatar will likely replace Jesper Boqvist in the lineup and skate on a line with Nico Hischier.
Tatar and Jon Gillies were added to the COVID-19 protocol list on Sunday while removing five players. Expect Tatar to be out until at least the middle of next week.
Tatar is dealing with a lower-body injury that forced him to sit out of the third period on Saturday. He was able to play on Monday but was not on the ice for Wednesday's morning skate and is questionable to play Wednesday. Arturri Lehkonen took his spot on the first line with Philip Danault and Josh Anderson.
Tatar was originally labelled as day-to-day with an upper-body injury that he suffered on March 3rd but announced that he's out indefinitely on Tuesday. The most recent timetable could end Tatar's 2020 season.
Tatar suffered an upper-body injury early in Tuesday's game against the Islanders and is not expected to play in Tampa Bay. Artturi Lehkonen moved up to the top line after Tatar got hurt and Lukas Vejdemo was recalled from the AHL to take his spot in the lineup.
Tatar was listed as a game-time decision but he is skating on the top line in warmups and is expected to play vs. the visiting Anaheim Ducks.
There is no indication what Tatar is dealing with but a flu bug has been going through the Habs room, so it could be that. Consider Tatar a game-time decision and monitor his status as they hit the ice for warmups at 6:30 PM ET.
Tatar left Wednesday's practice after taking a puck off of the foot but it seems likely that he will play on Thursday. Tatar has recorded three goals with four assists (seven points) in nine games this season.
