Johansson is fully expected to be traded before Monday’s Trade Deadline, so the Devils will hold him out of the lineup for the second straight game to ensure that he remains healthy. Johansson is getting traded with his value at a season-high, having scored six goals and six assists (12 points) in his last 13 games.
Bogosian missed the last two games with a lower-body injury but will return to the lineup against the Rangers. Bogosian has 13 points (2G / 11A), a minus-3 rating and 42 PIMS in 49 games this season.
Pitlick was originally expected to miss two weeks but underwent surgery this week and will miss at least two more months. This essentially ends Pitlick’s season but would put him on target to play in the playoffs if the Stars qualify.
Pitlick has missed the last two games and is expected to miss at least two more weeks. With Pitlick out until mid-February, expect Denis Gurianov to remain with the big club.
Pitlick was hurt vs. the Kings on January 17th and missed their game vs. the Jets on the 19th. Pitlick’s move to IR opened up a roster spot for the Stars to recall Roope Hintz from Texas (AHL).
Zuccarello was not on the ice for Monday’s practice which makes him questionable for Tuesday’s game due to a foot infection. This would be a tough break for owners who recently picked Zuccarello up expecting him to continue his red-hot streak.
Johansson has missed the last nine games with an upper-body injury but is set to return to the Devils lineup on Saturday. Johansson has registered six goals and nine assists (15 points) in 31 games this season.
With Justin Braun heading to IR, Middleton could make his NHL debut on Saturday. The former seventh-round pick has 12 points (2G / 10A) in 26 games with the Barracuda this season.
Tarasenko missed Thursday’s game vs. the Capitals but will be back on the lineup on Saturday. Tarasenko, who will skate with Tyler Bozak and Zach Sanford, has 11 goals and 11 assists (22 points) in 37 games this season.
Tarasenko missed Wednesday’s practice and Thursday’s morning skate but remains a game-time decision for tonight’s game vs. the Capitals. Tarasenko is expected to skate with Ryan O’Reilly and David Perron if he plays and will be replaced by Zach Sanford if he doesn’t play.
Petersen was 5-4-1 with a 2.61 GAA and .924 SV% in 11 games with the Kings this season. He returns to the Reign where he has gone 2-3-1 with a 4.29 GAA and .881 SV%.
Eriksson Ek was the No.20 overall pick in 2015 but has struggled to get his offensive game going at the NHL-level. Eriksson Ek has just four points (1G / 3A) in 27 games this year so he heads back to the AHL where he had eight points (3G / 5A) in eight games last season.
