Bastian, who took a maintenance day yesterday, was on the ice for the Devils' optional morning skate, but they are still unsure of his status for Saturday's game vs. the Red Wings. If he's unavailable, look for Chris Tierney to draw back into the Devils lineup.
Markstrom was excellent in his return from a fractured finger on Monday, surrendering just a single goal on 34 shots enroute to a 3-1 victory over the Panthers. It was one of the finest starts of the season for Markstrom, who now owns a .901 SV% and a 7-8-2 record on the year. He's in a great spot to keep things rolling on Thursday with the Flames being sizable favourites at -190 in Anaheim.
Glass will take a seat on Thursday as the Predators are opting to dress seven defensemen in Philadelphia. Glass has registered just two points in 14 games this season.
New Jersey was dealt a huge blow Tuesday as it was announced Dougie Hamilton is expected to be out until the playoffs after being placed on long-term Injured Reserve. The Devils will now be without their top defensemen until at least the playoffs who had five goals, 11 assists, 61 SOG, 20 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus in 20 games this season prior to getting hurt. The move opens up $9 million in cap space for the Devils.
Daws played his first games of the season last week with the Utica Comets (AHL), posting a 2.04 GAA and .937 SV% in two games (1-1-0), making his season debut after being activated from long-term injured reserve. Last season with the Comets, Daws posted a 2.70 GAA and .904 SV% in 33 games (16-14-3). The 22-year-old netminder is no stranger to the NHL, playing 25 games (10-11-1) with the Devils as a rookie, posting a 3.11 GAA and .893 SV%. Depending on how he fares with the Comets, Daws could be an option at the NHL level at some point this season, especially if the goaltending tandem of Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid continues to falter.
Gruden will return to the AHL as Noel Acciari and Rickard Rakell are set to return to the Penguins' lineup on Monday. Gruden is yet to register a point in four NHL games this season.
Gruden appeared in four games this season but failed to pick up a point while collecting a -2 plus/minus and has been reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) Monday. The 23-year-old left-winger returns to the AHL, where he had 10 points (5G/5A) and 22 PIMs in 21 games played prior to his promotion.
Markstrom has not played since December 2nd due to a fractured finger but will return to his role as the starting goalie on Monday against the Florida Panthers. Before his injury, Markstrom recorded a point for his team in six of eight games (5-2-1) but was only able to salvage a .894 SV% in the process. That said, Markstrom has played well against the team that drafted him, posting a 3.10 GAA and .910 SV% in nine career games against the Panthers (4-4-1).
Allen has only started once in the last two weeks but will return to the crease on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets. Allen played well in a 2-1 losing effort to the Nashville Predators in his last outing on December 10th, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%). That said, Allen has struggled with consistency this season. After recording at least a point for his team in his first four outings (3-0-1), Allen has failed to record a victory in seven consecutive games (0-6-1), posting a .881 SV% in the process. As a result, the Canadiens are +220 road favourites against a Jets team that is among the hottest in the NHL, winning six of their last seven contests (6-1-0).
Tatar was traded to Seattle in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round draft pick. Tatar's time in Colorado lasted just 27 games, where he scored one goal and added eight assists while playing just over 11 minutes a night.
Markstrom has missed the Flames previous five games due to a fluke hand injury which occurred in practice but was showing some positive signs of returning after practicing Wednesday with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL). The 33-year-old veteran netminder is expected to return in a "handful of days" according to Salim Valji. He has struggled so far in 2023-24 prior to his injury, with his 6-8-2 record, 2.94 GAA and .896 SV%.
Haula missed the Devils' previous game due to an upper-body injury but will return Wednesday vs. Boston after only a one-game absence. The 32-year-old left-winger is having one of the most productive offensive seasons of his career with seven goals, 13 points, 20 PIMs and 40 SOG through 21 games prior to the injury.
Glass was a healthy scratch for the Predators' previous game but will draw back into the lineup Tuesday as he replaces Philip Tomasino on Nashville's fourth line. The 24-year-old centre has struggled offensively thus far in 2023-24, with no goals, one assist, 18 SOG, two PIMs and a -4 plus/minus in 10 games played.
Pesce did not practice on Monday and will be a game-time decision Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. Pesce has only two points (1G / 1A) in 19 games this season but has been a steadying presence on the blueline for the Hurricanes, averaging 20:15 time-on-ice and blocking 38 shots.
MacDermid will sit on Monday after playing in each of the Avs' last three games. He has two goals and no assists in eight games this season.
