Pierre-Olivier Joseph will re-enter the lineup after a brief conditioning stint with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL), as Shea will watch the game from the press box as a healthy scratch. Shea has zero points in 22 games this season, averaging 12:28 time-on-ice.
After starting seven straight games (6-1-0), Skinner will be rested against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday after serving as the backup to Calvin Pickard in a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday. Skinner is riding a six-game winning streak and has been tremendous for the Oilers, allowing only 11 total goals over that stretch, posting a .932 SV%. The Oilers have turned their season around as they will look for their eighth straight win as overwhelming -468 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team that has not scored more than three goals in their last seven games (2-4-1).
Rust missed three games late last month and will once again be sidelined on a week-to-week basis with an upper-body injury. This is a devasting blow for a Penguins team that has struggled offensively lately, scoring only three total goals in their last three games (0-2-1). Before his injury, Rust was having a terrific season, scoring 20 points (10G / 10A) in 22 games.
Skinner will start for the seventh straight game and look for his sixth straight victory on Friday. Skinner has elevated his game since the Oilers changed coaches last month, highlighted by a tremendous .943 SV% during his season-best five-game winning streak, allowing only eight total goals over that stretch. The Oilers are considerable -187 home favourites against a Minnesota Wild team that has played well lately but was shut out 2-0 last night against the Vancouver Canucks.
Skinner will likely start for the seventh straight game and look for his sixth straight victory on Friday. Skinner has elevated his game since the Oilers changed coaches last month, highlighted by a tremendous .943 SV% during his season-best five-game winning streak, allowing only eight total goals over that stretch. The Oilers are considerable -187 home favourites against a Minnesota Wild team that has played well lately but was shut out 2-0 last night against the Vancouver Canucks.
Acciari has not played since November 30th and has been retroactively placed on the injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Acciari had three points (2G / 1A), 44 hits, and 28 blocks in 22 games this season, playing predominantly alongside Jeff Carter and Matt Nieto.
Koppanen has been reassigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins along with Alex Nylander as Pittsburgh has recalled Marc Johnstone, Jonathan Gruden, and Valtteri Puustinen. Koppanen played three games with Pittsburgh, firing two shots on goal, averaging 7:25 time-on-ice, and scoring zero points.
Rust left the Penguins' previous game vs. Tampa in the third period after just 12:03 TOI due to a lower-body injury and will miss Friday vs. Florida after not practicing Thursday. If he is forced to miss time it will be a massive loss for the Penguins as the 31-year-old is having the best statistical season of his 10 year career with 10 goals, 10 assists, 71 SOG, four PIMs and a +13 plus/minus in 22 games prior to this latest injury.
Rust left the Penguins' previous game vs. Tampa in the third period after just 12:03 TOI due to a lower-body injury and was not at practice Thursday. If he is forced to miss time it will be a massive loss for the Penguins as the 31-year-old is having the best statistical season of his 10 year career with 10 goals, 10 assists, 71 SOG, four PIMs and a +13 plus/minus in 22 games prior to this latest injury.
Jones will be a healthy scratch for the Avalanche as defensemen Bowen Byram and Cale Makar, both previously game-time decisions, will suit up for Thursday night's contest against the Winnipeg Jets. Jones has two points (0G / 2A), averaging 12:45 time-on-ice in 12 games with the Avalanche this season.
After a stint with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL), posting 14 points (10G / 4A) in eight games, Bemstrom will return to the Blue Jackets lineup for the first time since November 14th. Before his demotion to the AHL, Bemstrom had four points (3G / 1A) in 12 games with the Blue Jackets. He is expected to skate on the third line alongside Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson.
Novak has not played since November 11th, battling an upper-body injury, but is expected to make his return on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before his injury, Novak had 12 points (6G/ 6A), averaged 16:02 time-on-ice, and played predominantly on a line with Kiefer Sherwood and Luke Evangelista.
Skinner will make his sixth straight start as he goes for his fifth consecutive win Wednesday as he takes on Carolina at home. The 25-year-old has improved his play of late but still has some ugly season totals with his 8-7-1 record, 3.16 GAA and .881 SV%. He will host the Carolina Hurricanes, who have lost two of their last three games but lead the NHL in shots on goal per game (34.5).
Amidst a flurry of roster moves Wednesday Emil Bemstrom was recalled from Cleveland (AHL) and is expected to appear in the Blue Jackets game Thursday. The 24-year-old returns to the Blue Jackets for a second time this season having picking up three goals, four points, four PIMs and a -7 plus/minus through 12 NHL games.
Skinner will make his sixth straight start as he goes for his fifth consecutive win Wednesday as he takes on Carolina at home. The 25-year-old has improved his play of late but still has some ugly season totals with his 8-7-1 record, 3.16 GAA and .881 SV%. He will host the Carolina Hurricanes, who have lost two of their last three games but lead the NHL in shots on goal per game (34.5).
Solovyov hasn't played since consecutive games on October 26th and 29th, his only two career NHL games, but will return to the Flames lineup on Tuesday as Dennis Gilbert will be a healthy scratch. In two games, Solovyov averaged 16:35 time-on-ice, had one block, and two hits.
