Sturm suffered a mid-body injury on Tuesday that limited him to only 8:44 time-on-ice. The 28-year-old German has only registered on the score sheet once in the last nine games, a two-goal performance on December 7th against the Detroit Red Wings.
Kostin was expected to re-enter the Red Wings lineup after Dylan Larkin was injured on Saturday but instead instead joined Larkin on the injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. After missing four straight games, Kostin will likely return to the lineup on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. He scored in his last game but has only one point (1G / 0A) in his last nine contests.
Smith has not played the last two games but will be allowed to return to the lineup on Friday as Nico Sturm is battling a mid-body injury. Smith has been held off the scoresheet in nine straight games while averaging 6:39 time-on-ice.
Sturm suffered a mid-body injury on Tuesday that limited him to only 8:44 time-on-ice. The 28-year-old German has only registered on the score sheet once in the last nine games, a two-goal performance on December 7th against the Detroit Red Wings.
The Devils' goaltending carousel will continue Wednesday as Vitek Vanecek gets his second-start in three games Wednesday vs. Boston. The 27-year-old netminder has struggled mightily this season despite his decent 10-5-0 record, as he has a 3.49 GAA And .879 SV%. He hosts the surging Boston Bruins, who have won four of their last five games and are 11th in the NHL in goals per game.
The Devils' goaltending carousel will continue Wednesday as Vitek Vanecek gets his second-start in three games Wednesday vs. Boston. The 27-year-old netminder has struggled mightily this season despite his decent 10-5-0 record, as he has a 3.49 GAA And .879 SV%. He hosts the surging Boston Bruins, who have won four of their last five games and are 11th in the NHL in goals per game.
Kunin has missed the Sharks last five games due to an upper-body injury and was activated off the Injured Reserve earlier today. Kunin was not expected to return to the lineup until Friday, but he appears to be available for Tuesday's game against the Jets. The 26-year-old forward has been enjoying a solid second season in San Jose, with five goals, two assists, 40 SOG, 27 PIMs and a -11 plus/minus in 23 games prior to his injury.
Blackwood has struggled his last two games, allowing 10 goals on 56 shots (.821 SV%), as the Sharks have opted to rotate between him and Kaapo Kahkonen lately. That said, Blackwood will return to the Sharks' net on Tuesday as they are +191 home underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets team that will be without their leading scorer, Kyle Connor. In addition, Blackwood has been significantly better on home ice this season, posting a 3.32 GAA and .908 SV% in nine games (3-3-2).
Kunin has missed the Sharks last five games due to an upper-body injury and has been activated off the Injured Reserve but is not expected to return to the lineup until Friday. The 26-year-old forward has been enjoying a solid second season in San Jose, with five goals, two assists, 40 SOG, 27 PIMs and a -11 plus/minus in 23 games prior to his injury.
Blackwood has struggled his last two games, allowing 10 goals on 56 shots (.821 SV%), as the Sharks have opted to rotate between him and Kaapo Kahkonen lately. That said, Blackwood will likely return to the Sharks' net on Tuesday as they are +191 home underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets team that will be without their leading scorer, Kyle Connor. In addition, Blackwood has been significantly better on home ice this season, posting a 3.32 GAA and .908 SV% in nine games (3-3-2).
Eklund did not play on Sunday but is expected to return for Tuesday's contest against the Vancouver Canucks. Before his injury, Eklund had five points (2G / 3A) in his last four games, averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per night.
Benning has not played since December 3rd due to a lower-body injury and has been placed retroactively on the injured reserve. Benning is averaging 18:29 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) through 14 games with the Sharks this season.
Eklund did not play on Sunday and is questionable for Tuesday's contest against the Vancouver Canucks. Before his injury, Eklund had five points (2G / 3A) in his last four games, averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per night.
Thrun has two assists, three SOG, two PIMs and a -2 plus/minus in three games played with the Sharks this season but has been reassigned to the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) Monday. The 22-year-old defenesemen returns to the minors, where he had a goal and six points in 18 games prior to his previous promotion.
Kostin was expected to re-enter the Red Wings lineup after Dylan Larkin was injured on Saturday but will instead join Larkin on the injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. Kostin scored in his last game but has only one point (1G / 0A) in his last nine contests. The Red Wings have recalled Zach-Aston Reese and Austin Czarnik from the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL.
