Kulak has been a healthy scratch for the last two games but will replace David Schlemko on Saturday. Kulak has just one assist in 12 games this season but is a solid daily fantasy punt—he averaging 2.1 shots per game and 0.8 blocked shots.
Ekholm was a late scratch from Thursday’s lineup in Philadelphia but will play today in Boston. Ekholm has three goals and 19 assists (22 points) in 35 games this season.
Hyman suffered an ankle injury in New Jersey and missed Thursday’s game. Head coach Mike Babcock told reporters post-game that Hyman tried to play through it but it is serious enough to keep him sidelined until at least early-January.
Stecher is in concussion protocol after being hit by Danick Martel during Tuesday’s game vs. the Lightning. Alex Biega will replace Stecher in the lineup.
Hyman will miss Tuesday’s game in Carolina and Thursday’s game in Tampa Bay before being eligible to return Saturday in Florida. Hyman was given a five-minute interference penalty on the play and was forced to answer the bell against Matt Grzelcyk. You should see either William Nylander or Patrick Marleau move back into the top-6 with Hyman suspended.
McDavid was a late scratch from Monday’s game in Dallas but will be back on the Oilers top line on Wednesday. McDavid obviously provides a massive boost to the Edmonton line as he comes into Wednesday tied for 17th in the NHL in assists (21) and tied for seventh in points (35).
McDavid skipped the Oilers morning skate but is fully expected to play in Dallas. This is obviously great news for the Oilers. McDavid has 14 goals and 21 assists (35 points) in 26 games this season. Expect him to centre the top line with Leon Draisaitl and Alex Chiasson.
Mangiapane has had a nice season in Stockton. He is currently tied for second on the team in goals (7) and tied for fifth in points (14) despite playing in just 13 of 21 games. Mangiapane has not suited up for the Flames this season but has 10 career NHL games under his belt.
The Coyotes are dealing with some goaltending injuries right now with both Antti Raanta and Darcy Kuemper ailing. Pickard had some ups and downs with the Flyers this season, ultimately posting a 4-2-2 record, 4.01 GAA and .863 SV% in 11 games.
Ingram, 21, was a third-round pick in 2016 and has gone 7-3-0 with a 2.52 GAA and .918 SV% in 10 games with the Crunch. Ingram comes up so that he can backup Louis Domingue while Ed Pasquale heads back down to get some games in.
Pickard stopped all 31 shots that he faced in the Flyers shutout win over the Rangers on Friday afternoon. After recording his first shutout of the season and the extra couple hours of rest, Pickard will start on back-to-back nights. The 26-year-old is 2-1-1 with a 3.45 GAA and .887 SV% on the road this season and will be in difficult against his former squad in Toronto.
Pickard stopped all eight shots that he faced after replacing Alex Lyon in the Flyers loss in Buffalo on Wednesday. Pickard is still looking for win No.4 on the season, having won his last game on November 5th. Pickard has a hideous 4.13 GAA and .858 SV% in nine games this season, so it’s impossible to trust him on a busy 15-game night in the NHL.
