Carlo was the last of the Bruins RFA’s to sign and earned himself a $2.85M AAV contract after recorded 10 points (2G / 10A) in 72 games a season ago. The 6-foot-5, 212 lbs. defenseman has become a physical shutdown defenseman that the Bruins can rely on to eat up heavy minutes (20:55 ATOI) next to Torey Krug.
McCabe appeared in less than 60 games for the second straight season, posting 14 points (4G / 10A) in 59 games in his fourth full year in Buffalo. On the defensive-side of the puck, McCabe averaged 1.7 hits and 1.7 blocked shots per game while ranking third among Sabres’ defensemen in SH TOI/gm (2:09) and fifth in total ice-time (18:57).
Lettieri spent most of the 2019 season in the AHL, ranking fourth among Hartford skaters with 48 points (23G / 25A) in 48 games. He played sparingly with the Rangers, picking up just three points (1G / 2A) in 27 games. The Rangers added some big names up front this offseason, likely pushing Lettieri back to the AHL to start 2020.
Stolarz allowed one goal on 17 shots after coming in in relief in the Oilers 5-1 loss to the Ducks on March 30th. Since joining the Oilers, Stolarz has gone 0-1-0 with a 4.00 GAA and .898 SV% in one start and four relief appearances. The Sharks have lost nine of their last 10 (1-8-1) but remain a very difficult test for Stolarz this evening.
Muzzin continues to battle an illness and will miss his second straight game on Thursday. Luckily for the Maple Leafs, Jake Gardiner will make his return from a back injury and will step into Muzzin’s spot on the second pairing.
Muzzin was listed as a game-time decision last night but ended up playing but will not be in the lineup vs. the Hurricanes. Martin Marincin will replace him on the Maple Leafs' blueline.
Tanev missed the last 11 games with a leg issue but will play Wednesday vs. the Rangers. Tanev will likely skate on the top pair with Alex Edler. He has 12 points (2G / 10A) in 53 games this season.
With Mikko Koskinen sick, Stolarz will make his first start with the Oilers against the Maple Leafs. Stolarz was 4-3-3 with a 3.33 GAA and .902 SV% in 12 games with the Flyers earlier this season and 2-0-0 with 3.58 GAA and .901 SV% in five AHL games. He has shown the ability to stand on his head at times but is far too inconsistent to be relied upon tonight vs. a dangerous Toronto team.
McCabe’s season is likely over as the Sabres announced the defenseman will miss 5-6 weeks with an upper-body injury that he suffered in Toronto on Saturday. Matt Hunwick will be in the Sabres lineup on Monday with McCabe out. He finishes the year with 14 points (4G / 10A), a minus-7 rating, 59 shots and 35 PIMS in 55 games.
