Mike Smith will start Tuesday vs. Vegas but Skinner will likely start Wednesday with Mikko Koskinen landing in COVID-19 protocol. Skinner has gone 8-0-2 with a 1.97 GAA and .928 SV% in 10 AHL games and 5-6-0 with a 2.85 GAA and .908 SV% in 12 NHL games this season.
Heinen missed the final two games before the All-Star break with an upper-body injury but was a full participant in Monday's practice and will be a game-time decision on Tuesday. Heinen skated on the third line with Evan Rodrigues and Radim Zohorna in Monday's session.
Dumba missed the final game before the All-Star break and is expected to miss his second straight game on Tuesday. With Dumba out, Jordie Benn will continue to skate on the second pair with Jonas Brodin.
Puustinen was a seventh-round pick in 2019 and has scored 13 goals with 14 assists (27 points) in 40 AHL games this season. The 22-year-old is in his first season in North America and could make his NHL debut on Tuesday after Evgeni Malkin was moved to the COVID-19 protocol list on Monday.
Malkin will miss at least two games after being added to the COVID-19 protocol list. He will be eligible to be activated for Sunday's game in New Jersey. Jeff Carter will likely shift to the No.2 centre while Malkin is out.
Dumba will come out of the lineup for the final game before the All-Star break, so look for him to be replaced by Jon Merrill, who was activated from COVID-19 protocol.
Bemstrom was a healthy scratch on Wednesday but will replace Alexandre Texier (upper-body) in the lineup on Thursday. Bemstrom has one goal and two assists (three points) in 10 games this season.
Karlsson underwent surgery to repair a small muscle tear in his left forearm on Monday and will miss at least 6-to-7 weeks. This is a terrible break for Karlsson, who was having a resurgent year, scoring eight goals with 18 assists (26 points) in 33 games. Ryan Merkley will likely remain with the Sharks with Karlsson out.
Karlsson will not play Saturday vs. the Lightning due to an upper-body injury. Radim Simek will replace him in the lineup and Ryan Merkley is expected to play an increased role.
Hayes, who recently had surgery on his adductor region, is expected to miss three weeks. Jackson Cates was called up from the AHL to take Hayes' spot on the roster.
Heinen has missed the last four games while n COVID-19 protocol but is expected to be back in the lineup on Thursday. While he's officially listed as a game-time decision, expect him to be back on a line with Jeff Carter and Evan Rodrigues.
The Oilers woes continue with Skinner getting added to the COVID-19 protocol list on Monday morning. With Mike Smith also banged up right now, expect Mikko Koskinen to start on Thursday.
Rust missed the last four games while in COVID-19 protocol but may play Monday in Vegas. Rust was one of the hottest players in the NHL before landing in protocol, scoring goals in four straight games, totalling 12 points (8G / 4A) in that span.
