This is another huge blow to the Predators' blueline, who will now be without three of their top-4 defensemen on Thursday. Fabbro will miss Thursday and Saturday's games before being eligible to return Monday in Tampa Bay.
Merzlikins has been out since February 20th with an upper-body injury but was activated from IR on Monday, so he'll at least be available to backup on Tuesday.
Werenski has not played since February 13th but will replace Scott Harrington in the lineup on Thursday. Werenski had a slow start to the season but had four assists in his last six games before getting injured.
Monahan has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury but was back on a line with Johnny Gaudreau at the Flames morning skate, suggesting he could play in Toronto. Monahan has had a nice bounce-back season, scoring two goals with 10 assists (12 points) in 16 games.
Werenski returned to the lineup on Saturday but is not 100 percent, so he'll come out of the lineup Monday in Carolina. With Werenski sidelined, Dean Kukan will draw back in. Consider Werenski day-to-day.
Werenski has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury but will be back on the top pair with Seth Jones and top PP unit on Saturday. Werenski has had a slow start to the season, scoring one goal with three assists in his first 12 games.
Merzlikins has missed the last three games but has been activated ahead of Thursday's game in Chicago. It's unclear whether or not he will start tonight after Korpisalo posted a 22-save win on Monday.
Aston-Reese missed the 11 games of the season while rehabbing offseason shoulder surgery but appears set to join the Penguins' lineup on Thursday. With Jared McCann out week-to-week, Aston-Reese will replace him and skate with familiar linemates in Teddy Blueger and Brandon Tanev.
According to John Tortorella, Werenksi is "banged up" and will not play on Sunday. In Saturday's practice Dean Kukan took Werenski's spot next to Seth Jones and it looks as if Scott Harrington will draw in as the sixth defenseman.
Coyle was banged up on Saturday and missed Sunday's practice but head coach Bruce Cassidy expects him to be available for Monday's rematch. Coyle has two goals and two assists (four points) in eight games this season.
