Pickard, 26, was acquired in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights in early-October and spent the majority of the season in the AHL. Pickard, who is currently No.4 on the Maple Leafs’ goaltending depth chart, was 21-9-1 with a 2.31 GAA, .918 SV% and one shutout in 33 games with the Marlies. He gave up four goals on 27 shots in his only NHL appearance with the Maple Leafs.
2018 was the most productive season of Carrick’s young career. The 24-year-old right-handed blueliner set career-highs in goals (4), assists (8) and points (12) while appearing in just 47 games for the Maple Leafs. Carrick’s signing suggests that the Maple Leafs won’t bring back Roman Polak and that Carrick will start the season as their third-pairing D-man on the right side.
The Oilers had high hopes for Caggiula after signing him out of the University of North Dakota, where he scored 62 goals and 65 assists (127 points) in 162 games. Since then, the 23-year-old has scored just 20 goals with 18 assists (38 points) in 127 games with Edmonton. He’ll return to the Oilers where he figures to stat the 2018-19 season on the third line.
Kane will miss his second straight game, but he says he will be ready to go for the playoffs. With a postseason berth already looked up, the Sharks can afford to play it safe with Kane.
Kane missed Monday’s practice and will not play tonight vs. the Stars. Kane has been strong since joining the Sharks, posting nine goals and five assists (14 points) in 16 games since the trade. Kane is considered day-to-day.
Nugent-Hopkins will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury. Nugent-Hopkins has been excellent since returning from injury, scoring six goals with eight assists (14 points) in 14 games since returning from injury in early-March.
Smith allowed three goals on 29 shots in the Flames loss in Los Angeles on Monday. Smith has lost five in a row while posting an ugly 4.40 GAA and .840 SV%> He will attempt to right the ship tonight vs. the Oilers—he is 1-1-0 with a 2.64 GAA and .929 SV% against Edmonton this season.
Smith was yanked after he allowed three goals on 11 shots in the Flames loss to the Ducks on Wednesday. He was given Saturday night off, so he’ll be well rested for tonight’s game in Los Angeles. Smith has gone 2-0-1 with a 2.59 GAA and .922 SV% in three starts against the Kings this season.
Smith surrendered three goals on 28 shots in the Flames loss in Arizona on Monday. Since returning to the crease, Smith has lost four of five starts while posting an ugly 3.68 GAA and .872 SV%. Tonight he faces a Ducks team that he has had a lot of success against this season—going 2-1-0 with a 1.35 GAA and .965 SV% in the first three meetings of the season.
Demers have recalled Trevor Murphy from Tucson (AHL) to replace Demers through the last few weeks of the season. Demers’ season ends with 20 points (6G / 14A) and a minus-4 rating in 69 games .
