Eberle was dealing with some “stiffness” following the Christmas break, missed Thursday’s practice and will not play Friday. With Eberle out, Josh Ho-Sang will move up to the Islanders’ top-line.
Grubauer was pulled after giving up four goals on 16 shots in Colorado’s loss in Arizona before the break. Grubauer has been seeing extra playing time recently but has a 3.33 GAA and .892 SV% in December. TO make things worse is a difficult road matchup in Vegas, where the Golden Knights are 11-3-3 this season.
Murray stopped all 39 shots that he faced in the Penguins shutout win in Carolina last Saturday. Murray has been brilliant since returning from injury, winning three straight games while stopping 108 of the 112 shots (.964 SV%) that he has faced. Murray has a good chance to make it four in a row against a Red Wings team without two top-6 forwards and their top defenseman.
Murray stopped 31 of the 32 shots that he faced in the Penguins win in Washington on Wednesday. Murray has been great since returning from a lower-body injury, winning two in a row while stopping 69 of the 73 shots (.945 SV%) that he faced. Tonight he faces a Hurricanes team that has seven of their last nine (2-5-2).
Grubauer allowed two goals on 28 shots in Colorado’s surprising loss to the Blackhawks last night. Semyon Varlamov was supposed to start tonight but he is sick, so look for Grubauer to go for the second night a row and the third time in four days. In his first start against the Coyotes, Grubauer stopped 37 of 38 shots in a 5-1 win (Nov.23).
Grubauer made 35 saves on 36 shots in Colorado’s win over the Canadiens on Wednesday. It was one of the best outings of the season for Grubauer, who has gone 3-1-1 with a 2.96 GAA and .893 SV% in five games at the Pepsi Center this season. He draws an excellent matchup of the season vs. a struggling Chicago team that is on the tail-end of a back-to-back.
Tolvanen has two points (1G / 1A) in four games with the Predators and 12 points (4G / 8A) in 24 games with Milwaukee this season. Tolvanen had six points (1G / 5A) in five games with Finland at the World Juniors last year.
Murray was activated from IR and served as Casey DeSmith’s backup on Wednesday but is expected to start Friday vs. the Bruins. The 24-year-old has gone 1-5-0 with a horrifying 5.48 GAA and .823 SV% in six starts at the PPG Paints Arena this season. He has a good chance to get back on-track against a Kings team that is 4-10-1 on the road and last in the NHL in goal-scoring (2.15 GF/pg).
Murray was activated from IR and served as Casey DeSmith’s backup on Wednesday but is expected to start Friday vs. the Bruins. The 24-year-old has gone 1-5-0 with a horrifying 5.48 GAA and .823 SV% in six starts at the PPG Paints Arena this season. Things likely won’t get any easier against a Bruins team that has won three in a row but rank 27th in goal-scoring (2.71 GF/pg).
Grubauer allowed three goals on eight shots in a relief appearance of Semyon Varlamov against the Oilers on Tuesday. Grubauer has posted a 3.16 GAA and .900 SV% in 12 appearances this season but has been able to turn that into a 7-2-2 record. Tonight he faces a Blues team that has lost eight of their last 12 (4-7-1).
Tolvanen did not do much during his call-up, scoring just one goal on two shots and adding an assist in four games. Tolvanen is one of the NHL’s top prospects but still needs a little more time in the AHL. His demotion is a good sign that the Predators will get Kyle Turris back on Thursday.
Mahura was sent down on Monday, likely a paper move to save some money, but returns to the Ducks and is expected to be in the lineup on Wednesday. Mahura has just one assist while averaging 16:40 TOI/gm in six games with the Ducks this season.
Murray has been out since November 17th but will be available to start or backup on Wednesday. Casey DeSmith has played very well since Murray got hurt, so Murray could be the Penguins No.2 netminder moving forward. The 24-year-old has gone 4-5-1 with a .877 SV% this season.
Schwartz will play for the first time since November 16th. Schwartz, who has two goals and seven assists (nine points) in 15 games, will start on the second line with Brayden Schenn and David Perron tonight.
Mahura played in three games during his most recent call-up, giving him six NHL games on the season. Mahura goes back to the AHL, where he has nine points (1G / 8A) in 14 games.
Schwartz has been out since November 16th and will miss his 11th straight game with an upper-body ailment. Schwartz remains day-to-day so monitor his status as the Blues head into next Tuesday’s home-game vs. the Panthers.
