Smith allowed six goals on 26 shots in the Oilers 6-5 loss to Minnesota on December 12th. It has been a struggle for Smith recently, as he's gone 0-2-1 with a 4.63 GAA and .838 SV% in his last four appearances (three starts). Tonight he faces a red-hot Penguins team that has won six of their last seven (6-1-0) while scoring 3.00 goals per game.
Murray left Saturday's game in Ottawa and is expected to miss a couple of weeks with a lower-body injury. Luckily for the Blue Jackets, Zach Werenski was activated from IR on Tuesday and will help replace Murray on the back-end.
Ekholm missed Saturday's game vs. Dallas with an illness but it looks like he will play tonight in New York. Ekholm, who will replace Matt Irwin on the blueline, has four goals and 11 assists (15 points) in 30 games this season.
Janmark missed Saturday's game in Nashville but is expected to replace Justin Dowling in the lineup tonight vs. the Oilers. Janmark has just two assists in his last seven games and just 11 points (3G / 8A) in 28 games this season.
This has become a common theme for Murray, play well but then eventually get injured. He has already missed eight games this season and will miss No.9 when the Blue Jackets host the Capitals on Monday. Scott Harrington will draw into the lineup and replace Murray on the Blue Jackets' second-pairing.
Smith allowed three goals on 22 shots in the Oilers' loss to the Sabres on Sunday. Smith has struggled mightily as of late, losing three straight while surrendering 10 goals on the last 73 shots (.863 SV%) that he has faced. He has played on the road this season though. The 37-year-old has gone 4-4-1 with 2.25 GAA, .923 SV% and one shutout in away games.
Koekkoek has appeared in five straight games but will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday with the recently recalled Adam Boqvist taking his spot.
Demers will undergo a minor procedure to clean up a knee injury and is expected to miss a couple of weeks. With Demers out, Aaron Ness will likely draw back into the lineup on Tuesday.
Nugent-Hopkins has missed the last six games but will play Sunday vs. the Sabres. Nugent-Hopkins' return means that Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid will be back together on the top-line. Nugent-Hopkins has five goals and 11 assists (16 points) in 25 games this season.
Skinner has gone 7-5-2 with a 3.23 GAA and .890 SV% in 15 AHL games this season. He is only coming up because Mike Smith is dealing with a leg injury, so he'll sit on the bench while Mikko Koskinen gets the nod.
Smith probably wasn't going to play on Sunday anyways but Stuart Skinner was called up to backup Mikko Koskinen in Vancouver. There is no indication of how long the Oilers expect Smith to be sidelined.
Janmark was a healthy scratch vs. the Blues on Friday but will replace Justin Dowling on Sunday. Janmark has nine points (3G / 6A) in 22 games this season.
Kulak sat as a healthy scratch on Saturday but will draw in for the injured Victor Mete on Sunday. Kulak will likely skate with Victor Olofsson on the third-pairing.
Kulak played on Thursday but will be a healthy scratch for the third time in four games on Saturday. With Kulak out, Cale Fleury will draw back into the lineup.
Smith allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Oilers win in Vegas last Saturday. The Oilers have been consistent with their goalie rotation this season, so Smith will start after watching Mikko Koskinen for the last two games. Smith has gone 4-3-0 with a 2.84 GAA and .908 SV% in his last seven starts. In his first game vs. the Canucks, Smith stopped 31 of 33 shots in a 3-2 win.
