Edmonton Oilers News

Henrique (upper-body) did not practice Monday but will travel with the team on their two-game road trip.

Henrique missed Saturday’s game after suffering an upper-body injury on Friday. He didn’t skate this morning, but that won’t stop him from traveling to Pittsburgh on Tuesday. That is a positive sign that the injury is minor, but there is still no word on when he will return to the lineup.

Adam Henrique
Pickard starts on Monday vs. Montreal.

Pickard allowed two goals on 24 shots in the Avalanche’s win over the Stars on Saturday. Since being recalled, Pickard has posted three wins with a 1.41 GAA and .955 SV% in two starts and four appearances. He allowed three goals on 36 shots in a 3-2 loss in his first start against Montreal.

Calvin Pickard
Henrique (upper-body) will not play on Saturday.

Henrique suffered the upper-body injury on Friday vs. the Red Wings. He will be replaced by Damien Brunner in the lineup tonight vs. the Isles. He has recorded two goals and three assists in his last five games, so this is a tough loss for the Devils.

Adam Henrique
Pickard starts for the Avs on Saturday.

Pickard allowed three goals on 45 shots in the Avs loss to the Blackhawks on Wednesday. Pickard has been sensational in his short time with the big clue, which has led to them placing Reto Berra on waivers, so it looks like the kid is here to stay. He has a 1.18 GAA and .966 SV% in his last three appearances.

Calvin Pickard
PIckard starts Wednesday for the Avalanche.

Pickard stopped all 25 shots he faced after replacing Reto Berra in the Avs’ come-from-behind win over the Coyotes last night. He has won the first two games of his career in relief efforts—stopping all 42 shots. He has earned the start tonight, but draws a tough matchup vs. the Blackhawks.

Calvin Pickard
The Senators will keep Curtis Lazar through the 10-game mark.

Lazar played in his ninth game last night vs. the Red Wings. If he plays anymore it will burn the first year of his entry level deal, but the Senators have been impressed with his play, so he will stick with the team and play in number-10 tomorrow vs. the Wild. He has three assists and is averaging 13:03 TOI so far this year.

Curtis Lazar
Draisaitl will play his tenth game on Wednesday, burning his first year of his Entry Level Contract (ELC).

Draisaitl, 19, scored his first NHL goal last Friday and sits with three points (1G / 2A) in hie first nine NHL games. Game 39 becomes the new deadline, if he goes back to junior before that time he will lose the first year of his ELC, but none of his unrestricted free agent status.

Leon Draisaitl
Pickard will make his first NHL start on Saturday.

With Semyon Varlamov and Reto Berra both dealing with injuries, Pickard will make his first NHL start tonight. He allowed four goals on 27 shots in a relief effort loss to the Senators on Thursday. He is good young goaltender, but is not a great fantasy option tonight vs. the Habs.

Calvin Pickard
Nugent-Hopkins (undisclosed) will play on Friday vs. Vancouver.

Nugent-Hopkins missed the last two games, but will be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Canucks. The first line rushes he took were with Nail Yakupov and Teddy Purcell, but then he was reportedly between Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall at the end of practice, so expect him to be in his usual spot on the top-line. He has one assist in two games.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Nugent-Hopkins (undisclosed) appears ready to return to the Oilers lineup.

Nugent-Hopkins is on the ice for the Oilers morning skate and is participating in line rushes, which suggests he will return to the lineup tonight after missing the last two games. RNH is skating on the third line with Nail Yakupov and Teddy Purcell. Monitor his status following the morning skate.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
The Oilers have sent Darnell Nurse back to the OHL.

Nurse had no points with a minus-2 rating and two shots in his first two NHL games. The 19-year-old will get one more year of junior and have a chance to stick with the Oilers full-time next season. He had 13 goals with 37 assists (50 points) in 64 games with Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) last season.

Darnell Nurse