McDavid spent the NHL All-Star break practicing with Bakersfield (AHL) and is set to return to the Oilers lineup on Tuesday. McDavid has been been out with a broken clavicle since November 3rd and his much anticipated return will come tomorrow vs. the Blue Jackets. McDavid is a must-start in his return—he has 12 points (5G / 7A) in his first 13 NHL games.
Pickard was pulled after he allowed four goals on 20 shots in Colorado’s loss in San Jose last night. He missed the morning skate with an illness, but still played and Patrick Roy wanted him to rest in the third so he’ll be ready to go tonight vs. the Kings. Pickard has a 2.87 GAA and .907 SV% since being recalled from the AHL.
Pickard allowed two goals on 21 shots in Colorado’s loss in Columbus on January 16th. Semyon Varlamov started the last four games, but will get the night off in San Jose. Pickard is 2-1-0 with a 2.40 GAA and .922 SV% this season and faces a Sharks team that has won seven of their last nine games.
McDavid is eyeing a return when the Oilers resume play after the All-Star break. To make that a real possibility, the 2015 No. 1 overall pick will practice with Bakersfield over the break. He will not appear in any games, but will practice and could be back in the lineup next Tuesday (Feb. 2nd) vs. the Blue Jackets.
Nugent-Hopkins will miss at least six weeks with a hand injury that he suffered on Monday night. He could be out for two months, which is a huge blow for the Oilers, who are expected to get Connor McDavid back in early February.
Nugent-Hopkins suffered a hand injury after blocking a shot in Monday’s win over the Panthers. Nugent-Hopkins will miss an extended period of time and Connor McDavid is still sidelined, so the Oilers are left with just four healthy centres, Leon Draisaitl, Mark Letestu, Matt Hendricks and Anton Lander.
Pickard stopped all 27 shots that he faced in Colorado’s 3-0 shutout win over the Devils. Pickard has posted a 2.50 GAA and .925 SV% in six games this season and tonight he will make a second straight start. He draws a superb spot-start matchup against a Blue Jackets team that has lost four of their last five games.
Pickard allowed two goals on 15 shots after replacing Semyon Varlamov in Colorado’s loss in Chicago on Sunday. It will be his first start since December 28th when he made 35 saves in a win vs. the Sharks. The 23-year-old netminder comes into play with a career 2.51 GAA and .927 SV% and draws a nice matchup vs. a banged up Devils squad.
In December, there appeared to be hope for McDavid to return in early January, but the Oilers will play it safe with their future superstar and hold him out of the lineup for the remainder of January. He could travel with the Oilers on their upcoming road trip to practice with the team, but don’t expect to see him in the lineup until early February.
Lazar will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury, but it is not believed to be a serious injury. Lazar is considered day-to-day.
On Monday, Pickard will make his first NHL start of the season. He has made two relief appearances, stopping 21 of 25 shots (.840 SV%) that he has faced. In his time with the San Antonio Rampage (AHL), he was 9-8-4 with a 2.75 GAA and .917 SV%. He draws a fairly good matchup against a Sharks team that is 26th in the NHL in goals on home ice (2.23 G/PG).
Lazar was knocked out of Wednesday’s game after a hit from Capitals’ forward Tom Wilson. Lazar was reportedly feeling much better this afternoon, so monitor his status leading up to Friday’s game.
Henrique has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, but will be back in the lineup tonight in Buffalo. Henrique has 13 goals and 10 assists (23 points) in 28 games and should be activated in all formats tonight vs. the Sabres.
Henrique will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury that he suffered on Tuesday in Toronto. The injury is not considered to be serious, so he remains day-to-day and has a chance to return to the lineup next week.
