Cernak played only 6:39 time-on-ice on New Year's Eve, did not play the first game of 2024, and will not miss his second-straight game on Thursday. Before his injury, Cernak had 13 hits and six shots on goal in his last three games.
On Thursday, Carlile was recalled from the Syracuse Crunch, where has nine points (3G / 6A) in 31 games this season. The undrafted defenseman was recalled alongside Sean Day and will hope to make his NHL debut while Mikhail Sergachev remains out of the lineup for the next several games.
With Toronto playing their second game in as many nights when they travel to Anaheim on Wednesday, Sheldon Keefe is opting to get a pair of fresh legs into the lineup as Holmberg will draw in while Nick Robertson is expected to be a healthy scratch. Holmberg has no goals and one assist in nine games this season.
Vasilevskiy had the night off on New Year's Eve but will return to the crease for the Lightning for his 10th start in their last 11 games. Vasilevskiy has allowed eight goals on 52 shots (.846 SV%) in his last two games (2-0-0) but was tremendous in his previous nine (7-2-0), posting a stellar .925 SV%. Tampa Bay is a +122 road underdog against the Winnipeg Jets, who have points in eight straight games (6-0-2).
Vasilevskiy had the night off on New Year's Eve but will likely return to the crease for the Lightning for his 10th start in their last 11 games. Vasilevskiy has allowed eight goals on 52 shots (.846 SV%) in his last two games (2-0-0) but was tremendous in his previous nine (7-2-0), posting a stellar .925 SV%. Tampa Bay is a +122 road underdog against the Winnipeg Jets, who have points in eight straight games (6-0-2).
Moser has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury and only played 7:10 before exiting the Coyotes' December 23rd contest. The 23-year-old Moser has 15 points (3G / 12A) while averaging 19:38 time-on-ice through 33 games this season. He has played most of the season as Sean Durzi's defensive partner.
Mitchell was a healthy scratch on Wednesday, being replaced by Kevin Shattenkirk, and has now been placed on waivers. The 24-year-old defenseman has two points (0G / 2A), 11 shots, and 13 blocks in 13 games this season.
Juuso Valimaki is expected to draw back into the Coyotes lineup on Wednesday as Moser will be out with an upper-body injury. The 23-year-old Moser has 15 points (3G / 12A) while averaging 19:38 time-on-ice through 33 games this season.
Mitchell replaced Kevin Shattenkirk on Saturday but will return to the press box as a healthy scratch on Wednesday. The 24-year-old defenseman has two points (0G / 2A), 11 shots, and 13 blocks in 13 games this season.
Vasilevskiy has been a mainstay between the pipes for Tampa Bay since making his season debut in late November and will start for the eighth straight game on Wednesday. After some initial struggles reaclimating himself to game-action after returning from off-season back surgery, Vasilevskiy has won seven of his last name contests (7-2-0), posting a tremendous .925 SV%. Tampa Bay is a slight -100 underdog against division rivals, the Florida Panthers, who are coming off a 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights.
Moser played 7:10 TOI before departing Saturday's game with an upper-body injury. Due to the Christmas break, there has been no update on Moser's status since leaving the game, so consider him questionable to play Wednesday vs. the Avalanche. Juuso Valimaki, who sat as a healthy scratch last game, will replace him in the lineup if he's unavailable.
Mitchell will take the place of Kevin Shattenkirk, who will be a scratch on Saturday. Mitchell has no goals and two assists in 12 games this season.
The emergency recall of Mitchell suggests that a Bruins' defenseman picked up an injury during Friday's loss in Winnipeg. With the back-to-back, don't expect the Bruins to reveal who is ailing until around 5:00 PM ET.
