Skjei missed the Hurricanes' previous contest due to personal reasons and will be a game-time decision Friday vs. the Flyers. The 28-year-old has been having an incredibly solid season, with six goals, eight assists, a +11 plus/minus and 71 SOG through 32 games prior to taking a step away from the team.
Saros stopped 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) as he beat the Edmonton Oilers in his previous start. The 27-year-old has been solid this season with his 10-9-4 record, 2.84 GAA and .911 SV%. He takes on the Chicago Blackhawks, who will be hoping to break the seven-game losing streak they find themselves in the middle of.
Allison missed the last 18 games due to a hip pointer and oblique muscle injury but will return Tuesday vs. Columbus. The 25-year-old has three goals, an assist, a +4 plus/minus and 24 SOG through 14 games played this season prior to the injury.
Saros allowed only two goals on 29 shots (.931 SV%) but still picked up his fifth straight loss in a defeat to the Colorado Avalanche in his last start. The 27-year-old has had an up-and-down season, with his 9-9-4 record, 2.84 GAA and .911 SV%. He draws a start vs. the Edmonton Oilers, who have lost their last two games but have the league's best power play (31.9).
Carrier has not played since Dec. 10th due to an upper-body injury but will return a bit ahead of plans Monday after originally being considered week-to-week. The 26-year-old has one goal, 26 SOG and eight PIMs through 23 games prior to the injury and will lineup on a pair with Mattias Ekholm.
Novak had been enjoying a fantastic season in Milwaukee (AHL) prior to his call up, ranking 14th in the AHL in points with 11 goals, and 15 assists in 25 games played. Novak has previousy played 27 games in the NHL prior to this season, collecting a goal and seven points while being a -4 plus/minus.
Hinostroza has not played since Nov.30th due to an undisclosed injury but will return to the Sabres' lineup Thursday as they head to Colorado. The 28-year-old had eight assists and 17 SOG through 15 games played prior to his injury.
Saros allowed one goal on 24 shots (.958 SV%) as he took the hard-luck overtime loss in a 1-0 defeat to St.Louis in his previous game. The 27-year-old has not been his usual dominant self this season, as shown by his 9-8-3 record, .908 SV% and 2.93 GAA. He draws the Winnipeg Jets, who will be looking to re-enter the win column after dropping their last two contests allowing a combined 11 goals against.
Lucchini has been enjoying a strong start to the season with Belleville (AHL) collecting seven goals, 23 points, and a -11 plus/minus through 24 games prior to his promotion. If he does make the Senators' lineup, the 27-year-old will be making his NHL debut.
Wedgewood last took the crease on Dec. 4th when he stopped 14 of 15 shots (.933 SV%) in an overtime loss to Minnesota. The Stars' backup has been solid this season, with his 5-4-2 record, .908 SV% and 3.05 GAA. He takes on the New Jersey Devils, who are third in the NHL in goals per game (3.68) and fourth in shots (34.7).
Lauzon left the Predators' previous contest after only 8:48 TOI due to an upper-body injury and will miss Monday's contest as he is day-to-day. The 25-year-old has one assist, 37 PIMs and 20 SOG through 21 games this season.
Carrier left the Predators' previous game vs. Ottawa after only 7:20 TOI and is now week-to-week with an upper-body injury. The 26-year-old has one goal, 26 SOG and eight PIMs through 23 games prior to the injury.
Gravel has six assists, 10 PIMs and a -1 plus/minus through 22 games with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) prior to his promotion. Gravel brings 109 games of NHL experience to the Predators' lineup, with one goal, 12 assists and 120 SOG during that span.
