Mermis had been a regular in the lineup for six weeks before being a healthy scratch in the last two games. The 30-year-old Mermis has seven points (2G / 5A) in 37 games this season while primarily playing on a defensive pair with Jon Merrill, who will draw out of the lineup in favour of Mermis on Tuesday.
Tavares has missed two of the last three games, one with an illness and, most recently, an undisclosed injury, but will return to the lineup Monday afternoon. In his last outing, Tavares played 20:54 time-on-ice and recorded three shots on goal. The veteran forward is averaging an impressive 3.7 shots per game over his last 10.
Rifai has played the last two seasons with the Toronto Marlies and has 11 points (2G / 9A) in 34 games this season. He is expected to skate on the third defensive pair with Maxime Lajoie.
Derrick Pouliot and Alex Petrovic were recalled from the Texas Stars (AHL) on Monday morning. They will be drawn into the lineup for a Stars team without Hakanpaa and Miro Heiskanen (personal). Hakanpaa suffered an upper-body injury in Saturday's contest against the Edmonton Oilers and played only 11:47 on the ice.
Tavares has missed two of the last three games, one with an illness and most recently an undisclosed injury, but is trending toward a return to the lineup. In his last outing, Tavares played 20:54 time-on-ice and recorded three shots on goal. The veteran forward is averaging an impressive 3.7 shot per game over his last 10.
Mermis has been a regular in the lineup for the last six weeks but will be a healthy scratch on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 30-year-old Mermis has seven points (2G / 5A) in 37 games this season while primarily playing on a defensive pair with Jon Merrill.
Nylander, John Tavares, and Mitch Marner were all absent from practice on Wednesday due to illness but appears to be ready to go after returning to practice on Thursday. Nylander has five points (3G / 2A) in his last four games.
Tavares, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner were all absent from practice on Wednesday due to illness but appears to be ready to go after returning to practice on Thursday. Tavares has six points (3G / 3A) in his last four games after being held without a point in his previous nine.
Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander were all absent from practice on Wednesday due to illness but appears to be ready to go after returning to practice on Thursday. Marner has six points (2G / 4A) in his last four games.
Johnson dressed for the first time in three games on Tuesday in Vancouver but will head back to the press box as a healthy scratch on Thursday as Connor Bedard (jaw) draws back into the lineup. The 25-year-old Johnson has struggled offensively in a bottom-six role this season, with two goals, three points, 42 SOG and a -19 plus/minus through 34 games played.
On the back end of a back-to-back, the Panthers will turn to Stolarz for his first game since February 6th. Stolarz has been solid in limited action this season, highlighted by allowing two or fewer goals in each of his last three outings (2-1-0), boasting a stellar .933 SV%. The Panthers are -149 road favourites against a Buffalo Sabres team coming off an impressive 7-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.
On the back end of a back-to-back, the Panthers will turn to Stolarz for his first game since February 6th. Stolarz has been solid in limited action this season, highlighted by allowing two or fewer goals in each of his last three outings (2-1-0), boasting a stellar .933 SV%. The Panthers are -149 road favourites against a Buffalo Sabres team coming off an impressive 7-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.
Reaves has played five straight games, recording one goal and 15 hits, after being a healthy scratch for most of the previous two months. He will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, indicating that one or both of Mitch Marner and John Tavares will likely return to the lineup from illness.
Steeves made his season debut on Tuesday, logging 10:14 time-on-ice, one shot, and six hits. He will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, indicating that one or both of Mitch Marner and John Tavares will likely return to the lineup from illness.
Tavares, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner were all absent from practice on Wednesday due to illness but could be ready to go after returning to practice on Thursday. Tavares has six points (3G / 3A) in his last four games after being held without a point in his previous nine.
Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander were all absent from practice on Wednesday due to illness but could be ready to go after returning to practice on Thursday. Marner has six points (2G / 4A) in his last four games.
Nylander, John Tavares, and Mitch Marner were all absent from practice on Wednesday due to illness but could be ready to go after returning to practice on Thursday. Nylander has five points (3G / 2A) in his last four games.
