Smith allowed four goals on 30 shots in an overtime loss to the Avalanche on Thursday. It was his second loss at home this season, but he has yet to lose one in regulation. He has another tough matchup against the Ducks tonight. In two starts vs. Anaheim this season, Smith is 0-1-1 with a 2.89 GAA and .910 SV%.
Skinner played 17:56 with two shots in his first game back from an upper-body injury. Skinner skated with Eric Staal for the first time in his career, but he has already been dropped to the third line with rookie Elias Lindholm and veteran Radek Dvorak for this afternoon's contest.
Brown has 19 goals and 27 assists (46 points) in 23 games with the Erie Otters. His 46 points leads the OHL by three over teammate Dane Fox. Brown, 19, was selected with the 156th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Smith surrendered three goals on 30 shots but still walked away with the win over Saturday. The W moved him to 8-0-1 with a 2.39 GAA and .921 SV% at home this season. Tonight the Coyotes welcome the Avalanche to town for the first time this season. It is a tough matchup for Smith, but his home record suggests he should have a strong night.
Skinner, 21, has missed the Hurricanes’ last 11 games with an upper body injury sustained in the team’s game on October 24 at Minnesota. Prior to suffering the injury, Skinner led the Hurricanes in scoring with nine points (3G / 6A) in 10 games, and his plus-5 rating ranks first on the team. He is expected to skate on the top-line with Eric Staal and Jiri Tlusty.
Skinner is skating with the top-line for the second straight day, a good sign he could be back tonight. We will update when head coach Kirk Muller talks to the media following the morning skate.
Skinner has missed the last 11 games but appears to be nearing a return. He has been skating with his team for nearly a week, so Thursday vs. the Red Wings seems like a possibility. Despite playing 11 less games, his nine points (3G / 6A) still ranks third on the team, just three points behind Staal. Monitor his status during Thursday's morning skate.
Skinner appeared to be in line to play on Monday, but he was held out. There has been many mixed messages from coach Muller about when Skinner will play. Monitor his status prior to Thursday's matchup with Detroit.
Skinner practiced this morning and appeared ready to return to the lineup, but he will miss his 11th straight contest. Look for Skinner to return on Thursday vs. Detroit.
Skinner has been out since October 24 and missed the last 10 games with an upper-body injury. In 10 games before getting hurt, Skinner was the Hurricanes best offensive weapon. He has three goals and nine points, which still ranks third on the team (Eric Staal leads with 11) despite skating in 10 fewer games. We will get confirmation following the morning skate.
Smith allowed four goals on 52 shots against the Blackhawks on Thursday. He has seen a ton of rubber this season, 607 shots in 18 starts (33.7 per game) which is 39 more than the next highest (Ryan Miller - 568). Tonight he faces his former team and a scorching hot Ben Bishop, winner of six-straight.
Hurricanes head coach Kirk Muller indicated there was a chance that he could play tonight, but that is not the case. Skinner will miss his ninth straight game and likely his 10th tomorrow. His next chance to return would be Monday vs. Boston.
Perry was a gametime decision, but will be in the lineup. This is good news for the Ducks who will be without Ryan Getzlaf. Perry is fourth in the NHL with 11 goals and sixth with 22 points.
It was Muller earlier in the week who said that Skinner would be out a couple of more weeks, but this is very encouraging news. Skinner has missed the last eight games after a hot start. He had three goals and nine points in the first 10 games. If Skinner is unable to go tomorrow, his next chance to return would be Saturday vs. the Blues.
Smith was great stopping 37 of 39 shots in an OT win over the Blues on Tuesday. The win was Smith's 11th of the season, and sixth in his last seven starts. His GAA (2.81) and SV% (.917) don't blow you away, but he has keeps the Coyotes high-powered offence in every game and that is why he is 11-3-2. Smith has a tough matchup when the Coyotes travel to Chicago tonight.
Ryan Getzlaf missed the last two games and could be out again tonight, so if Perry can't go the Ducks will be without their two leading scorers. Consider him a game-time decision.
Hurricanes head coach Kirk Muller said yesterday that Skinner is still a couple of weeks away. However, practicing on Friday would be a positive step in his recovery and he could potentially return sooner than two weeks if all goes well.
Ekholm was a minus-3 in the Predators last two games - a minus-4 on the season. He had actually replaced Seth Jones on the top pair in Friday's contest but was moved back on Saturday. Ekholm has four assists in 17 games, and likely won't be a healthy scratch for long.
Smith gave up three goals on 32 shots in a win over the Capitals on Saturday. Smith has been on fire lately (won 5 of his last 6) but tonight he has a tough test in St. Louis. He is much better at home than he is on the road - 3-3-1 with a 3.50 GAA and .906 SV% away from Phoenix this season.
Skinner has missed seven games with an upper-body injury and will be out until late November.
