Nugent-Hopkin was not at practice on Wednesday due to an illness, indicating he may be unavailable for Wednesday's game against the Boston Bruins. At practice, Warren Foegele and Ryan McLeod were elevated to top-six roles.
After their franchise-best 16-game win streak ended on February 6th, the Oilers have lost two of four (2-2-0), including a disappointing 6-3 loss to the St. Louis Blue on Thursday with Stuart Skinner between the pipes, and will turn to Pickard on Saturday afternoon. Pickard last played on February 9th, saving 24 of 27 shots (.889 SV%) in a 5-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks. The 31-year-old Pickard will attempt to extend his win streak to six games against the Dallas Stars.
Sam Gagner will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Janmark to re-enter the lineup. Before being a healthy scratch on Tuesday, Janmark had been a regular in the Oilers' lineup for the last several months but had done very little to contribute offensively, scoring only one point (0G / 1A) in his last 25 games.
The Coyotes gave Ingram a rare night off in their last outing in an attempt to snap a five-game losing skid but were unable to, losing 5-3 to the Philadelphia Flyers. The 26-year-old Ingram has allowed three or more goals in four straight (0-4-0), posting an ugly .857 SV%, well below his season average (.912 SV%). The Coyotes are slight -103 home underdogs against a Minnesota Wild club riding a three-game winning streak, including an impressive 5-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday.
Jarry will start for the second straight game on Tuesday, looking to build on an exceptional run lately. In his last three games (2-1-0), Jarry has allowed only four total goals while boasting a tremendous .951 SV%. That said, the Penguins are amid a two-game losing streak and have failed to score more than three goals in 10 straight games (3-4-3). The Penguins enter action against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night as +118 road underdogs.
Sam Gagner will draw back into the lineup for the Oilers on Tuesday, resulting in Janmark being a healthy scratch. Janmark has been a regular in the Oilers' lineup for the last several months but has done very little to contribute offensively, scoring only one point (0G / 1A) in his last 25 games.
Kapenen has missed the Blues' previous seven games with a lower-body injury but is ready to return to the Blues' lineup Saturday after being activated from the Injured Reserve. The 27-year-old is in his second season in St. Louis and has struggled offensively with only four goals, 13 points, 65 SOG, six PIMs and a -6 plus/minus through 42 games before his injury.
Jones has not played since January 5th, missing 12 games with an upper-body injury, but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Edmonton Oilers. In 34 games this season, the 25-year-old Jones has eight points (4G / 4A).
The Oilers' franchise-best 16-game winning streak ended on Tuesday with a 3-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, but they will attempt to get back into the win column with Pickard between the pipes on Friday. Pickard has been reliable when called upon between the pipes this season, including a 27-save shutout in his last outing, a 3-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Pickard and the Oilers have another favourable matchup on Friday as -266 road favourites against the Anaheim Ducks, fourth-worst in the league offensively (2.56 GF / GP).
Ingram will continue to lock down the Coyotes' crease as he makes his third straight start in the first game after Arizona's All-Star break. The 26-year-old was considered somewhat of an All-Star snub as he's broken out in his third NHL season with a 17-11-1 record, 2.61 GAA, .916 SV%, and five shutouts. He'll face the Vegas Golden Knights, who are riding a high after snapping Edmonton's 16-game win streak Tuesday and have won six of their last eight contest.
Jarry will return to the crease on Tuesday, his seventh start in the last eight games. In his last outing, Jarry saved 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, snapping a three-game losing skid for the Penguins. Entering Tuesday's matchup against the Winnipeg Jets, losers of three straight, the Penguins are slight -111 home favourites.
Kyle Burroughs will draw back into the lineup on Wednesday, replacing Emberson, who will not play due to an upper-body injury. Emberson played the last two games for the Sharks, recording an assist in both along with four hits.
Roslovic was a healthy scratch on Sunday's game in Seattle but he will replace Adam Fantilli (lower-body) in the lineup on Tuesday. Roslovic has not scored a goal since October 26th, posting just four assists in his last 20 games.
