Andersen allowed two goals on 37 shots in the Maple Leafs win in Calgary on Monday. Andersen is riding a five-game winning streak, posting a 2.40 GAA and .933 SV% and draws a quality matchup tonight in Vancouver. The Canucks come into Wednesday’s game having won just three times since February 4th—3-8-3 while averaging just 1.86 goals for per game.
Kotkaniemi has had an excellent rookie season but serve as a healthy scratch for the first time in his career. Kotkaniemi has just one goal and four assists (five points) in his last 11 games.
Andersen allowed two goals on 37 shots in the Maple Leafs win over the Sabres on Saturday. Andersen is riding a four-game winning streak, posting a 2.50 GAA and .930 SV%. Tonight he faces a red-hot Flames team, that has won seven of their last eight games while averaging 3.13 goals for per game.
Lemieux was acquired from the Jets in the Kevin Hayes trade and will replace Filip Chytil in the lineup on Wednesday. Lemieux is a former No.31 overall pick in 2014 but has been limited by a deep roster in Winnipeg, scoring nine goals with two assists (11 points) in 44 games on their fourth line. He will start with Lias Andersson and Pavel Buchnevich.
Staal’s name floated around at the trade deadline as a potential rental, but ultimately signs a two-year extension to remain in Minnesota. Staal enjoyed a resurgent year in 2018 but has seen his production dip this year—he is on-pace for 18 fewer goals and four fewer assists. Staal will turn 35 at the start of next season, so his career will likely end in Minnesota.
Dzingel has enjoyed a breakout season, scoring 22 goals and 22 assists (44 points) in 57 games. Dzingel brings a ton of speed to the Blue Jackets lineup and could lineup with Matt Duchene, who was also acquired from Ottawa on Friday. Dzingel has played 52.5 percent of his 5v5 minutes with Duchene this season and the duo has averaged 27 ScoringChancesFor/60.
Gardiner missed Friday’s practice and was only on the ice briefly this morning but head coach Mike Babcock expects him to play on Saturday. Justin Holl will also dress for warmups, so consider Gardiner a game-time decision because there’s obviously a little bit of concern.
Staal has been out with a concussion since December 22nd but is set to return to the lineup on Saturday. Activating him from IR all but guarantees that he will play for the first time in the 2019 calendar year.
Staal has been sidelined by a concussion since December 22nd but says he’s feeling good and expects to play on Saturday. It remains to be seen where Staal will slot into the lineup but he will most likely serve as the Hurricanes second-line centre and force either Greg McKegg or Saku Manalanen out of the lineup and likely back to the AHL. Staal has 11 points (5G / 6A) in 29 games this season.
