Pitlick was hurt in Monday’s game in St. Louis and was seen postgame in a walking cast up to his thigh and on crutches. Right now, it doesn’t look good for him,” Oilers’ head coach Todd McLellan said postgame. Pitlick will be out until the Christmas break at the very least, so expect Jesse Puljujarvi or Taylor Beck to get back into the lineup on Wednesday.
Tarasenko missed Wednesday’s practice because of an undisclosed injury that he suffered in Tuesday’s game vs. the Sabres. Tarasenko will be a game-time decision, so monitor his status during warmups at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tarasenko has two goals and seven assists (nine points) in his last six games.
Eriksson Ek, 19, had two goals and three assists (five points) in nine games with Minnesota. Before burning the first year of his entry-level contract, they’ve sent him back to Sweden. The former first round pick (No.20 overall in 2015) had 15 points (9G / 6A) in 41 games with Farjestad last season.
Bogosian left Tuesday’s game in Minnesota and is week-to-week with a sprained MCL. Bogosian has not recorded a point in nine games and he is no stranger to injury. He will be replaced by Casey Nelson on Thursday.
Spurgeon missed the last four games, but will return to the lineup vs. the Stars on Saturday. Spurgeon has one goal and one assist in four games this season, but won’t start tonight with Ryan Suter. Instead he will play with Nate Prosser, as Mathew Dumba played with Suter in Spurgeon’s absence.
Spurgeon has missed the last four games, but will return to the lineup on Saturday. Spurgeon has picked up one goal and one assist in four games this season. Nate Prosser will likely come out of the lineup to make room for Spurgeon.
Spurgeon was hurt in Thursday’s game vs. the Maple Leafs and then missed yesterday’s practice, which puts his status for tonight’s game in jeopardy. If Spurgeon can’t play, look for Mathew Dumba to get back into the lineup.
Hartman will miss a second straight game with a lower-body injury that he suffered last Friday, but he was on the ice this morning and is targeting a return to the lineup on Friday.
Hartman cracked the Blackhawks’ opening night roster, but only lasted four periods before getting hurt in Friday’s loss to the Predators. Look for Dennis Rasmussen to be in the lineup on Saturday.
Hartman has the unenviable task of trying to replaced the beloved Andrew Shaw in Chicago. The former first round pick (30th overall in 2013) had 35 points (15G / 20A) in 61 games with Rockford (AHL) last season and one assist in three NHL games. He is expected to make the team and start on a hybrid checking/scoring line with Marcus Kruger and Marian Hossa.
Johansson, 25, has settled in nicely with the Capitals since they drafted him 24th overall in 2009. He had 46 points (17G / 29A) in 74 games last year, continuing his consistent mid-40’s point production. At just 25, there is room for him to grow into a mid-50’s player, especially in an explosive Capitals’ offence. Draft him as the player he has been with room for upside.
Since breaking into the NHL in 2011-12, Foligno has seen his point-production rise a little bit in each season, reaching 23 points (10G / 13A) in 75 games last year. Still not great production from the 24-year-old, but another one-year deal should motivate him for more in 2016-17.
Bogosian suffered a lower-body injury in the Sabres loss to the Blue Jackets on Friday. Bogosian is expected to be replaced by Casey Nelson.
Zucarello missed the Rangers practice on Friday and will be held out of the lineup on Saturday. The Rangers have already clinched a playoff spot, so they will give Zuccarello the night off, hoping he will be ready for Game 1 of the playoffs.
Spurgeon missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, but is expected to be back in vs. the Sharks. Monitor his status during the morning skate, but expect him to draw back in alongside Ryan Suter. Spurgeon has 11 goals and 18 assists (29 points) in 75 games this season.
