Nutivaara was a healthy scratch in Winnipeg on Thursday but will play tonight vs. the Blues. Nutivaara is expected to replace Dean Kukan and re-enters the lineup with no points in his last four games and just 15 points (4G / 11A) in 49 games this season.
Vlasic took to the ice for Friday’s practice and declared himself “100 percent” which suggests that he will play for the first time since January 2nd when the Sharks host the Coyotes tonight. Vlasic could see more minutes than usual with Erik Karlsson potentially not playing due to a lower-body issue.
White has missed the last five games with a shoulder injury but will play Friday in Pittsburgh. White, who has 11 goals and 15 assists (26 points) in 44 games, will centre the second-line with Brady Tkachuk and Mark Stone on his wings.
White missed the final five games before the All-Star break but said he’s almost 100 percent sure that he will play on Friday. The Senators went 2-3-0 without White, who has 11 goals and 15 assists (26 points) in 44 games this season.
Grundstrom was one of the Maple Leafs’ top prospects and has been enjoying a quality campaign with the Marlies, scoring 13 goals with 16 assists (29 points) in 42 games. Grundstrom, a former second-round pick, plays a physical two-way game but doesn’t project to be much of a high-end scorer at the NHL-level.
Georgiev allowed seven goals on 40 shots in the Rangers loss in Columbus back on January 13th. The 22-year-old has gone 3-1-0 with a 1.89 GAA, .931 SV% and one shutout on home-ice this season and will get the start tonight to give All-Star Henrik Lundqvist a breather. Georgiev is 2-9-0 with a 3.66 GAA and .883 SV% during his 11 games with Hartford (AHL) this year.
Vlasic was originally listed as a game-time decision on Monday before being scratched in warmups and will not be available for the eighth straight game on Tuesday.
Vlasic has missed the last seven games but “is an option” to play Monday in Florida. Vlasic’s return would be key with Erik Karlsson out for a second-straight game.
The Rangers have one more game (Saturday) before their bye week meets the All-Star break, so Georgiev will go to the AHL to get some work in. Georgiev has gone 2-6-0 with a 3.30 GAA and .890 SV% in his previous eight games with Hartford while doing this dance.
Georgiev stopped 24 of 25 shots in the Rangers win over the Islanders on Saturday afternoon. Georgiev will start for the second straight day as Henrik Lundqvist gets a “mental break.” Despite stout outing yesterday, Georgiev has gone 3-6-0 with a 3.76 GAA and .890 SV% on the road this season.
Georgiev stopped all eight shots that he faced after replacing Henrik Lundqvist in the Rangers loss in Arizona on Sunday. Georgiev has not registered a win since December 18th, allowing a combined 11 goals on 97 shots (.887 SV%) in four appearances. He comes into Tuesday’s game at 2-5-0 with a 4.27 GAA and .881 SV% on the road.
Vlasic remained off of the ice during Monday’s morning skate and will miss his second straight game with an undisclosed injury. The Sharks did just fine without Vlasic vs. the No.1 team in the NHL over the weekend so expect them to be patient with Vlasic.
Head coach Pete DeBoer said that Vlasic will not play Saturday but did not give a reason why. Tonight’s matchup with the high-powered Lightning will be tough without Vlasic, Justin Braun or Radim Simek.
Georgiev allowed one goal on seven shots after replacing Henrik Lundqvist in the Rangers’ 7-2 loss to the Penguins on Wednesday. The 22-year-old hasn’t play often this season (nine starts, two relief appearances) but comes into Friday at 5-5-0 with a 3.22 GAA and .898 SV%. Tonight he takes on an Avalanche team that has cooled off recently, losing six in a row and 10 of their last 12 (2-7-3).
Georgiev stopped 14 of 15 shots in the Rangers win over the Ducks on Tuesday. It was easy night for Georgiev, who will have a much more difficult matchup tonight against the Maple Leafs. Georgiev has gone 2-3-0 with a 4.28 GAA and .877 SV% on the road this season and should be left on the waiver wire tonight.
