Pittsburgh Penguins News

Skinner seems to have taken a grasp on the Oilers' starting role as he is set to start his third-straight game for Edmonton Thursday as they take on Dallas. The 25-year-old was an All-Star in his rookie season in 2022-23, but has struggled thus far this season as he is 1-2-1 with a .863 SV% and 3.51 GAA. He takes on the red-hot Dallas Stars, who have points in all but one of their games this season (6-1-1) but are 18th in the NHL in goals per game (3.13) and 21st in shots per game (29.8).

Wotherspoon was recalled Wednesday after putting up an assist, six PIMs, and a -1 plus/minus in six games with Providence (AHL) and will make his Boston Bruins debut Thursday vs. Toronto. The 26-year-old defensemen signed a one-year, $775,000 deal with Boston in the offseason and has an assist, 10 SOG, four PIMs and a +5 plus/minus in 12 career games played after debuting in 2022-23 with the New York Islanders.

Jones was a precautionary call-up by the Avalanche on Wednesday but did not make it into the lineup as, game-time decisions Cale Makar and Bowen Byram were both deemed fit to play. Jones has now been reassigned to the Colorado Eagles of the AHL where he has four points (0G / 4A) in eight games.

Wotherspoon was recalled along with Mason Lohrei and Ian Mitchell to give the Bruins options on their blueline as they will be without Charlie McAvoy (suspension) and Matt Grzelcyk (upper body). Wotherspoon was a fourth-round pick of the New York Islanders in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and played his first 12 NHL games with the Islanders last season, recording one point (0G / 1A) four penalty minutes, and a +5 plus/minus rating.

Jones was recalled from the Colorado Eagles of the AHL, where he has four points (0G / 4A) in eight games this season. The Texas-born defenseman has yet to play at the NHL level this season after playing 73 games with the Chicago Blackhawks last season, recording 16 points (4G / 12A).

Solovyov had two PIMs, one SOG, and a -3 plus/minus in his first two career games with the Flames but has been reassigned to the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) on Monday. The 23-year-old defenseman returns to the Wranglers, where he had a goal, an assist, and two PIMs in four games prior to his promotion. Solovyov heads down due to Rasmus Andersson returning from a four-game suspension.

The Oilers will give Stuart Skinner the nod in Sunday's Heritage Classic against the Flames. Both Skinner and fellow Oilers goaltender Jack Campbell have struggled to find their form early on in the 2023-24 season, but Skinner did enjoy his finest start of the season in Edmonton's most recent game against the Rangers on Thursday. The 24-year-old netminder stopped 29 of the 32 shots he faced in a losing effort as the Oilers were uncharacteristically shut out on home ice. Outdoor games always bring some extra uncertainty with them, but the Oilers are -155 favourites to pick up the win on Sunday, and the line could move further in their favour if Connor McDavid is able to return to the lineup.

The Oilers are expected to give Stuart Skinner the nod in Sunday's Heritage Classic against the Flames. Both Skinner and fellow Oilers goaltender Jack Campbell have struggled to find their form early on in the 2023-24 season, but Skinner did enjoy his finest start of the season in Edmonton's most recent game against the Rangers on Thursday. The 24-year-old netminder stopped 29 of the 32 shots he faced in a losing effort as the Oilers were uncharacteristically shut out on home ice. Outdoor games always bring some extra uncertainty with them, but the Oilers are -155 favourites to pick up the win on Sunday, and the line could move further in their favour if Connor McDavid is able to return to the lineup.

Clifton delivered an illegal check to the head of Nico Hischier of the New Jersey Devils in the Sabres' 5-4 loss on Friday night. He received a match penalty on the play and has subsequently been suspended for two games. Hischier was forced to leave the game for the Devils and has already been ruled out for their next contest on Sunday. In eight games this season, Clifton has one point (0G / 1A) and has racked up 28 penalty minutes along with a -6 plus/minus rating.

Skinner will be the starting goalie for the Oilers on Thursday after serving as the backup for three of their last four contests. The Oilers, who will once again be without Connor McDavid (upper-body), will be desperate to get their season on track as they are off to a disappointing 1-4-1 start. Last year's best offensive team (3.96 GF/GP) is averaging only 2.83 goals per game and is being outscored by an alarm 17-27 total. The Oilers will be challenged by the New York Rangers (-126 road favourites) and will hope that sophomore Stuart Skinner can recapture some of the magic he had last season as a Calder Trophy finalist.

Solovyov had a goal, an assist, and two PIMs in four games played with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) and has earned himself his first career call up to the Calgary Flames Thursday and will make his NHL debut vs. St.Louis. The 23-year-old defensemen was the Flames seventh round pick in 2020 (#205th overall) and has yet to appear in the NHL despite two successful full AHL seasons in the last two years. He will replace Jordan Oesterle in the Flames lineup Thursday.

It appears Skinner will be the starting goalie for the Oilers on Thursday after serving as the backup for three of their last four contests. The Oilers, who will once again be without Connor McDavid (upper-body), will be desperate to get their season on track as they are off to a disappointing 1-4-1 start. Last year's best offensive team (3.96 GF/GP) is averaging only 2.83 goals per game and is being outscored by an alarm 17-27 total. The Oilers will be challenged by the New York Rangers (-126 road favourites) and will hope that sophomore Stuart Skinner can recapture some of the magic he had last season as a Calder Trophy finalist.

Solovyov had a goal, an assist, and two PIMs in four games played with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) and has earned himself his first career call up to the Calgary Flames Thursday. The 23-year-old defensemen was the Flames seventh round pick in 2020 (#205th overall) and has yet to appear in the NHL despite two successful full AHL seasons in the last two years. If Adam Ruzicka (undisclosed) is unable to go Thursday, expect Solovyov to make his NHL debut.

Chinakhov had yet to appear this season for Columbus after missing most of training camp with a back injury but has been activated off the injured/Non-roster list and was loaned to Cleveland (AHL). The 22-year-old was Columbus' 2020 first-round pick (21st overall) and had four goals, nine assists, 44 SOG, 10 PIMs, and a -6 plus/minus.

Skinner allowed four goals on 16 shots (.750 SV%) in his previous start as he lost to Vancouver but will look for redemption Saturday as he takes on Winnipeg. The 24-year-old has had a horrific two appearances for the Oilers thus far in 2023-24, with his 0-2-0 record, 5.33 GAA and .750 SV%. He will face the Winnipeg Jets, who have lost their last two games but are fourth in the NHL in shots per game (34.5).