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.
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).
Smith underwent successful core muscle surgery and will miss at least two months. With Smith out, the Coyotes will turn to Anders Lindback as their starter, but they announced that they will likely explore trade options to bring in an outside goalie to help them through the next 8-10 weeks.
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.
Smith gave up for goals on 27 shots in the Coyotes loss in Buffalo on Friday. Smith has lost his last three starts and posting an ugly 4.77 GAA and .867 SV% but Anders Lindback was equally as bad on Sunday, so Smith will go tonight vs. the Blues. Smith is 5-6-1 with a 3.19 GAA and .899 SV% in 12 starts on the road this season.
Smith was yanked after allowing three goals on 16 shots in the Red Wings loss in Detroit last night. He let in a stinker from centre ice and that was the end of his evening. He’ll try to get back on track tonight in Buffao. Smith has allowed seven goals on the last 56 shots (.875 SV%) that he has faced. It is a solid matchup, but Smith remains a risky option.
Smith surrendered four goals on 40 shots in the Coyotes’ loss in Nashville on Tuesday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Coyotes’ netminder. Smith has gone 5-4-1 with a 2.91 GAA and .907 SV% in 10 starts on the road this season. He draws a fairly tough matchup against a Red Wings team that is 4-0-2 in their last six games.
