Smith allowed three goals on 23 shots in the Oilers loss to the Blues last Wednesday. Mikko Koskinen started the last two games but the Oilers will come back to Smith against a Sharks team that has won three in a row. Smith has been spectacular on the road this season, going 3-2-1 with a sparkling 1.31 GAAm .957 SV% and one shutout.
Murray missed six games with a broken hand but being activated from IR suggests that he'll be back in the lineup on Tuesday. Murray has had a tough time staying healthy but is fairly productive when healthy. He has one goal and three assists in 10 games this season. Adam Clendening has been sent back to Cleveland to make room for Murray.
Hyman missed the first 19 games of the season but will play Wednesday vs. the Islanders. Hyman's return comes at a great time, as he'll slide in for Mitch Marner, who is out with a high-ankle sprain. Hyman likely won't have the same success with Marner out, but he'll still be with John Tavares on Wednesday. The 27-year-old set career-highs in goals (21) and points (41) in 71 games last year.
Regula, who was acquired from the Red Wings for Brendan Perlini, has enjoyed a great start to the 2019-20 season. He has been paired with Ryan Merkley on the London Knights (OHL) first pair is currently fifth on the team with 15 points (7G / 8A) in 14 games.
Demers has missed the last two games but it looks like he will play in Washington. Demers is officially listed as a game-time decision but was on the ice for the morning skate and is expected to play. Demers has three assists and 15 shots in 15 games this season.
Demers missed Thursday's game against the Blue Jackets but was on the ice for Saturday's game-day skate and could play vs. the Wild. Demers has three assists and 15 shots while playing 22:31 ATOI in 15 games this season.
Koekkoek was a healthy scratch for the last three games but will replace rookie defenseman Adam Boqvist in the lineup on Saturday. Koekkoek has two assists in seven games this year.
Demers will not be in the lineup on Thursday night, so look for Ilya Lyubushkin to suit up. Monitor Demers' status leading up to Saturday's game vs. the Wild.
Smith allowed one goal on 24 shots in the Oilers win in Columbus on Wednesday. The win was Smith's first since October 12th and pushed him to 4-3-1 with a 2.29 GAA and .919 SV% on the season. Smith has been great on the road, going 2-2-1 with a 1.38 GAA and .947 SV% in five games but has a tough matchup vs. a Penguins team that is hot and finally healthy.
Smith was yanked after allowing three goals on 13 shots in the Oilers loss to the Panthers on Sunday. Smith has not won a game since October 12th, going 0-3-1 despite posting a 2.33 GAA, .920 SV% and one shutout (in a 1-0 shootout loss). The Oilers goaltenders need more goal-support and Smith could get it tonight against a Blue Jackets team allowing the sixth-most goals per game (3.55).
Regula was a third-round pick (No.67 overall) in 2018 and is currently a top-pair defenseman with the London Knights (OHL). Regula is a towering defenseman at 6-foot-4, 207 lbs. who has registered 11 points (4G / 7A) in 10 OHL games this season.
Murray suffered a broken hand in the Blue Jackets loss to the Flyers on Saturday. Markus Nutivaara will replace him on Wednesday if he is able to return from his lower-body injury. Don't expect to see Murray until mid-to-late November.
Kulak has appeared in six straight games but will be replaced by Mike Reilly on Saturday. Kulak was a minus-2 in 16:38 TOI in Thursday's loss to the Sharks.
