Clifton replaced John Moore in the lineup last night but they will trade places again on Thursday. The Bruins didn't want Moore to play in back-to-back games after making his season debut just one week ago.
Bemstrom was hurt on a cross-check from Brian Boyle in Saturday's game in Florida and will be out until at least mid-to-late January. Alex Wennberg replaced Bemstrom on Monday and will likely remain in the Blue Jackets lineup moving forward.
Jones was sent down last Tuesday but quickly swaps spots with Joel Persson again. Jones has been spectacular in the AHL, posting 11 points (3G / 8A) in 14 games but has not registered a point in nine games with the Oilers.
Bemstrom was hurt midway through Saturday's game in Florida and did not travel to Washington for Monday's game. Bemstrom remained in Columbus to undergo further evaluation, so look for Alexander Wennberg to replace him in the lineup vs. the Capitals.
Rust has missed the last three games but will return to the lineup Friday vs. the Coyotes. Rust will be back on the top-line with Evgeni Malkin and Jake Guentzel but is not expected to see any power-play time. Rust enters play with nine goals and eight assists (17 points) in 14 games this season.
Rust has missed the last three games but it looks like he'll play Friday vs. the Coyotes. Rust will be back on the top-line with Evgeni Malkin and Jake Guentzel and comes in with 17 points (9G / 8A) in 14 games this season.
Clifton was in the lineup for the last three games but will take a seat with John Moore (shoulder) set to make his season debut.
Bemstrom was a healthy scratch on Tuesday but will draw back in for Eric Robinson on Thursday. Bemstrom was dominant in Sweden last year but has just nine points (3G / 6A) in 26 games in the NHL this season.
Rust skated this morning but remains day-to-day and will not play against the Blues. With Patric Hornqvist and Rust both missing from their top-6, the recently signed Stefan Noesen is expected to make his Penguins debut.
Bemstrom has appeared in all 26 games this season but will be scratched in favour of Eric Robinson on Monday. Bemstrom had a five-game point streak in early-November but has recorded just one assist in his last six games.
Skinner has gone 7-5-2 with a 3.23 GAA and .890 SV% in 15 AHL games this season. He is only coming up because Mike Smith is dealing with a leg injury, so he'll sit on the bench while Mikko Koskinen gets the nod.
Mantha was hurt early in Saturday's game in New Jersey on Saturday and is expected to be reevaluated in a "couple weeks." With Mantha out, the Red Wings called up their top prospect, Filip Zadina, who could get an extended look in the top-6.
Letang has missed the last eight games with a lower-body injury that he suffered on November 4th, but was back at practice on Sunday and was activated from IR this afternoon. Letang will likely replace Zach Trotman on the blueline and skate with Brian Dumoulin and take over as the quarterback on PP1.
Head coach Jeff Blashill didn't have much of an update on Mantha but did say that "he definitely won't play (Sunday)" and that he'll be "out for a little bit of time." With Adam Erne also hurt, the Red Wings will likely need to recall a forward for Sunday's game or dress seven defensemen.
Crosby is expected to miss at least six weeks so the move to IR was simply a formality to open up a roster spot to call-up some reinforcements--in this case, it's Joseph Blandisi.
Crosby has been dealing with a nagging sports hernia and opted for surgery on Thursday. This is obviously a massive blow for the Penguins but Evgeni Malkin has often elevated his game when Crosby is out. Crosby was known as injury-prone early in his career but has become much more durable in recent years, so this is uncharted territory for this Pittsburgh team. In fact, Crosby has missed just 19 games over the last six seasons, appearing in 96.1 percent of regular-season games over that span. Expect Jared McCann to continue to skate as a top-6 centre while Crosby is out.
