Rust missed Monday’s game in Minnesota with a lower-body injury but could return to the lineup on Wednesday. Rust was back on the Penguins top line with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel in the morning skate and will look to continue the torrid pace he was on before getting hurt—scoring eight goals with three assists (11 points) in his last nine games.
Rust is not expected to be in the lineup in Minnesota on Monday, so look for Zach Aston-Reese to start on the top-line with Sidney Crosby.
Graves was a fourth-round pick of the Rangers in 2013 and will make his NHL debut tonight after playing 254 career AHL games. Graves, who has eight points (2G / 6A) in 26 games this season, will replace Anton Lindholm on the Avalanche blueline.
How Dumba suffered the injury remains a mystery but the Wild are holding out hope that Dumba will be able to return later this season and be ready for the playoffs. Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin have taken on larger roles with Dumba sidelined.
Dumba was hurt against the Flames on December 15th and the injury will require surgery next week. This is a massive blow to the Wild blue line and fantasy teams alike. Dumba was having an excellent season, scoring 12 goals with 10 assists (22 points) in 32 games before getting injured. The Wild don’t have an exact timetable for his return but Dumba will be out long-term.
Dumba suffered an upper-body injury against the Flames on Saturday and head coach Bruce Boudreau confirmed that he will miss a minimum of one week. Jared Spurgeon is expected to take on a much larger role while Dumba is out.
Letang missed Saturday’s game vs. the Kings but could play Monday vs. the Ducks. Letang was a full participant in the Penguins morning skate, suggesting he’ll be back in tonight.
Jones was recalled from Bakersfield (AHL) after Oscar Klefbom and Kris Russell was injured. Jones sat as a healthy scratch last night but is expected to replace Chris Wideman on Friday. Jones is Seth Jones’ brother but doesn’t have the exact same skillset. Jones is a physical defenseman with a little offensive upside, picking up 12 points (2G / 10A) in 21 games with the Condors this season.
With Oscar Klefbom out for an extended period of time, it looks like Jones will jump from the AHL to the NHL and leapfrog Chris Wideman and Jason Garrison on the depth chart. Jones, who was a fourth-round pick in 2015, has two goals and 10 assists (12 points) in 21 games with Bakersfield this season.
Jarry appeared in two games while Matt Murray was out, giving up a combined seven goals on 62 shots (.887 SV%). With Murray activated from IR, Jarry returns to the AHL where he is 4-5-1 with a 2.89 GAA and .909 SV%.
Rakell suffered a sprained ankle last Wednesday and will miss at least a few weeks. With Rakell out, Daniel Sprong has taken on a larger role early in his Ducks career and could play top-6 minutes until Rakell is back.
Mantha broke his had in a fight with Patrik Nemeth on Sunday and will miss at least one month. With Mantha out, Gustav Nyquist will move to the top-line on Tuesday and Luke Witkowski will dress as a seventh defenseman.
Mantha will miss Tuesday’s game against the Lightning with an undisclosed injury but GM Ken Holland said the winger could possibly be out long-term. Mantha will be re-evaluated later in the day and the Red Wings should provide more details on the nature of the injury. With Mantha out, rookie Michael Rasmussen could take on an expanded role but this injury is devastating for a Red Wings team that was playing better than most people expected.
Jarry stopped 35 of 37 shots in the Penguins overtime loss in Boston last Friday. Jarry’s first start of the season went very well and tonight he will start the tail-end of a back-to-back in Colorado. The Avalanche are first in the NHL in goal-scoring, so leaving Jarry on the bench is probably wise.
