Hayes left Sunday’s game after playing just 8:41 TOI and did not return. Hayes was seen walking stiffly with a brace on his left leg after the game, which isn’t a good sign for his availability for Monday’s game. Hayes will be evaluated on Monday, so expect an update later today.
Letang was hurt Saturday vs. the Red Wings and will miss at least a few weeks with a lower-body injury. The Penguins moved him to IR this morning, so he has to miss at least four games, but it sounds like he will miss more time. Justin Schultz’s stock rises again with his movement to the top power play.
Letang suffered a lower-body injury during the Penguins’ overtime win over the Bruins on Wednesday. Letang is expected to miss at least the next five games and another injury report will likely be issued after the Christmas break.
Heinen appeared in just one game during his call-up and was a healthy scratch for the last two games. The 21-year-old has 13 points (7G / 6A) in 13 games with Providence this season.
Heinen has spent the majority of the year with Providence, where he has picked up seven goals and six assists (13 points) in 13 games. He has failed to record a point in seven games with Boston, but will draw back into the lineup tonight vs. Toronto.
Acciari has been sidelined since November 7th and has been recalled after a one-game conditioning stint with Providence. Acciari has two assists in 12 games with the Bruins this season and will be in the lineup tonight vs. Toronto.
Rakell has missed the last two games, but is set to return tonight vs. the Sharks. Since signing with the Ducks following a contract holdout, Rakell has been great, scoring 10 goals with four assists (14 points) in 16 games.
Rakell took part in the Ducks' morning skate but did not say whether or not he would take warmups tonight. The Ducks recalled Stefan Noesen from San Diego to presumably take Rakell's spot, but monitor his status during pre-game warmups.
Mantha, 22, has been off to a great start in Grand Rapids, scoring eight goals with two assists (10 points) in the first 10 games of the season. In 10 NHL games a season ago, Mantha collected two goals and one assist. He has been recalled because Andreas Athanasiou has been placed on IR with a lower-body injury. Mantha should make his season debut on Saturday.
Letang has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury, but he will play tonight in Anaheim. Letang has registered two assists and 16 shots on goal in four games this season and will re-claim his spot on the top pair and power-play unit.
Heinen failed to record a point in seven games with the Bruins. Heinen played in the top-6 with regularity, but could produce offensively. With David Pastrnak ready to return from suspension, the Bruins will roll with Austin Czarnik instead of Heinen.
Rakell missed the first nine games of the season with an abdomen injury, contract holdout and work visa issue. However, he was back on the ice on Monday, centring the third line with Antoine Vermette and Chris Wagner on his wing. Rakell, who had 43 points (20G / 23A) in 72 games last year, was also featured on the second power-play.
Letang was on the ice for the Penguins’ morning skate, but will miss his fourth straight game on Thursday. HIs availability for the morning skate is a good sign though and he could be ready to return on Saturday in Philadelphia.
Crosby was a full-participant in the Penguins’ practices on Monday and Tuesday and will be a game-time decision on Tuesday. Crosby centred the top line and top power-play, so it looks like he will return tonight vs. the Panthers. Monitor Crosby’s status when warmups start at 6:30pm ET.
Crosby was cleared for contact on Monday and finished the practice with no limitations. It was a great sign that Crosby is nearing his season debut and head coach Mike Sullivan did not rule Crosby out of Tuesday’s game vs. Florida—he remains day-to-day.
Crosby missed the first six games of the season, but he practiced in a regular jersey on Monday and appears to be nearing a return. Being cleared for contact was the next step in Crosby’s recovery, so signs are pointing towards him potentially returning this week.
Heinen has yet to record a point in four games with the Bruins this season and tonight he will come out of the lineup and Ryan Spooner will be back in.
Dumba has one goal on five shots and a minus-2 rating in three games this season but it looks like will be be replaced by Mike Reilly in the lineup on Thursday. Don’t expect the young defenseman to sit for very long.
