Copley stopped 18 of 19 shots after replacing Braden Holtby in the Capitals shootout loss to the Panthers on October 19th. In his first start of the season, Copley allowed six goals on 36 shots in a loss in New Jersey. Today he faces a Flames team that has lost three of their last four while being outscored 18-to-10.
Nichushkin has missed the last three games with an undisclosed injury, but will return on the Stars fourth line tonight. Nichushkin has just one assist and eight shots on goal in three games so far this season.
Jaros has played for Ottawa and Belleville this season, picking up one assist in two NHL games. Jaros could play on Saturday as the elect to go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
Nichushkin will miss his second straight game with an undisclosed injury. Head coach Jim Montgomery said that Nichushkin is still fighting the injury, but it sounds like he is no more than day-to-day.
Heinen has been a healthy scratch for the last two games, but will draw back in on Thursday. Heinen has no points while averaging 12:47 TOI/GM in his first four games. He will replace Anders Bjork in the lineup and skate with David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk.
Jaros has been recalled likely to serve as the Senators reserve defenseman while Cody Ceci (upper-body) is on IR. Jaros played in two NHL games with the Senators last season, spending most of the year in Belleville—tallying three goals and 13 assists (16 points) in 44 games.
Copley went 15-17-4 with a 2.91 GAA and .896 SV% in 41 starts with the Hershey Bears (AHL) last season. Now that Philipp Grubauer is in Colorado, Copley takes over as the Capitals’ backup and will make his Washington debut tonight in New Jersey. Copley has allowed six goals on 35 shots in two NHL relief appearances.
Nichushkin took part in the Stars morning skate on Tuesday and is expected to make his season debut tonight vs. the Maple Leafs. The 23-year-old has not played in the NHL since the 2015-16 season, but scored 27 goals and 24 assists (51 points) in 86 KHL games since then.
Nichushkin missed the Stars season opener vs.the Coyotes on Thursday and is unlikely to play Saturday against the Jets. The Russian winger is considered day-to-day, so you could see him make his season debut next week.
Wood just wrapped up his first full NHL season with 19 goals and 13 assists (32 points) in 76 games. The 2013 fourth-round pick will be hard pressed to land a top-6 role in New Jersey but is a serviceable bottom-6 winger who brings some toughness to the Devils’ lineup.
Nichushkin was drafted No.10 overall in 2013 and recorded 64 points (23G / 41A) in 166 career NHL games before leaving for the KHL. The 23-year-old had 27 goals and 24 assists (51 points) in 86 games with CSKA Moscow during his two years in Russia. Nichushkin returns to the NHL, where he projects to be a middle-6 winger.
Coyle underwent surgery to repair a tear in each of wrists after they bothered him in the second half of the season. Coyle is expected to need one month to be fully healed, so he’ll be more than ready-to-go for next year’s training camp.
