Mantha has missed the last eight games with lower-body injury but could play Saturday in Montreal. Mantha skated again on Friday and told reporters that he's been medically cleared but needs clearance from GM Steve Yzerman. The Red Wings went 1-7-0 and scored only 1.63 goals per game without Mantha.
The Penguins did not hold a morning skate but head coach Mike Sullivan announced that Malkin will miss tonight's game due to an illness. The Penguins will be in tough without Malkin or Sidney Crosby. Joseph Blandisi was recalled this morning and is expected to play in Malkin's place.
Jarry allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Penguins' loss to the Canadiens on Tuesday. The win snapped a two-game shutout streak for Jarry, who has clearly taken over as the Penguins' top netminder for now. He is 6-2-0 with a 1.35 GAA, .955 SV% and two shutouts on home-ice this season but the Penguins will be without Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin tonight.
Clifton replaced John Moore in the lineup last night but they will trade places again on Thursday. The Bruins didn't want Moore to play in back-to-back games after making his season debut just one week ago.
Bemstrom was hurt on a cross-check from Brian Boyle in Saturday's game in Florida and will be out until at least mid-to-late January. Alex Wennberg replaced Bemstrom on Monday and will likely remain in the Blue Jackets lineup moving forward.
Jones was sent down last Tuesday but quickly swaps spots with Joel Persson again. Jones has been spectacular in the AHL, posting 11 points (3G / 8A) in 14 games but has not registered a point in nine games with the Oilers.
Bemstrom was hurt midway through Saturday's game in Florida and did not travel to Washington for Monday's game. Bemstrom remained in Columbus to undergo further evaluation, so look for Alexander Wennberg to replace him in the lineup vs. the Capitals.
Rust has missed the last three games but will return to the lineup Friday vs. the Coyotes. Rust will be back on the top-line with Evgeni Malkin and Jake Guentzel but is not expected to see any power-play time. Rust enters play with nine goals and eight assists (17 points) in 14 games this season.
Jarry stopped all 28 shots that he faced in the Penguins shutout win over the Blues on Wednesday. Jarry has won five of his last six starts while posting a 1.86 GAA, .941 SV% and one shutout. Tonight he faces a Coyotes team that has played well on the road, going 8-1-2 while scoring 3.09 goals per game in their last 11 road games.
Rust has missed the last three games but it looks like he'll play Friday vs. the Coyotes. Rust will be back on the top-line with Evgeni Malkin and Jake Guentzel and comes in with 17 points (9G / 8A) in 14 games this season.
Clifton was in the lineup for the last three games but will take a seat with John Moore (shoulder) set to make his season debut.
Bemstrom was a healthy scratch on Tuesday but will draw back in for Eric Robinson on Thursday. Bemstrom was dominant in Sweden last year but has just nine points (3G / 6A) in 26 games in the NHL this season.
Rust skated this morning but remains day-to-day and will not play against the Blues. With Patric Hornqvist and Rust both missing from their top-6, the recently signed Stefan Noesen is expected to make his Penguins debut.
Jarry surrendered four goals on 29 shots in the Penguins loss in Columbus last Friday. Matt Murray did not have his best showing in St. Louis the following night, so Jarry will get a shot at the Blues on home-ice on Wednesday. The 24-year-old was 4-2-0 with a 2.42 GAA and .923 SV% in November and is 4-1-0 with a 1.59 GAA and .948 SV% on home-ice, so he’s a reasonable spot-start option tonight.
Bemstrom has appeared in all 26 games this season but will be scratched in favour of Eric Robinson on Monday. Bemstrom had a five-game point streak in early-November but has recorded just one assist in his last six games.
