Tanev missed the last two games after taking a puck to the mouth in Toronto last Saturday. Tanev has missed a lot of time due to injuries this season but provides a big boost to the Canucks blueline when he’s in. However, he doesn’t boast the best offensive numbers, having scoring just two goals with four assist in 27 games this season.
Boyd has been recalled to serve as an extra forward in case something happens to one of the Capitals regular forwards prior to Friday’s game in Carolina. Boyd has 27 points (8G / 19A) in 37 games with the Capitals this season.
Tanev will miss his second straight game after being hit in the face by a shot in Saturday’s game in Toronto. Tanev did however skate this morning with a full cage on, so he might be ready for Friday’s game in Columbus.
Lettieri, 22, had one goal and one assist in three games during his call-up. With the Rangers getting healthy, Lettieri returns to Hartford, where he has 21 points (12G / 9A) in 31 games this season.
Lettieri made his NHL debut on December 29th but has been a healthy scratch for the last two contests. With Mats Zuccerallo (illness) out, Lettieri will draw back into the lineup for his second career game.
Muzzin was originally listed as questionable for tonight's game but after being placed on IR he certainly won't be in the lineup against the Predators. The Kings moved him to IR to make room for Christian Folin to be activated, so he will take Muzzin's spot in the lineup.
Muzzin missed the Kings morning skate and is listed as a game-time decision because he is “a little banged up.” Monitor Muzzin’s status as the Kings hit the ice for pre-game warmups at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Benning was a healthy scratch on Tuesday but will replace Brandon Davidson in the lineup vs. the Ducks. Benning has nine points (4G / 5A) in 36 games this season.
Tanev has missed the last seven games with a groin issue, but will replace Ben Hutton in the lineup vs. Anaheim. Tanev has just six points (2G / 4A) in 25 games this season but does a lot for the Canucks blueline while eating up over 20 minutes a night.
Tanev returned to practice on Wednesday but is not quite ready to play. Tanev will miss his sixth straight game but it looks like he’s trending towards a return on Saturday.
Lettieri, 22, has recorded 12 goals and nine assists (21 points) in 31 games with the Wolf Pack this season. He has played well in his first full pro season after four years at the University of Minnesota. He could make his NHL debut with Chris Kreider leaving Wednesday’s game.
Matthews has missed the last six games with a concussion but will be back on the Maple Leafs top-line tonight. He will skate with Zach Hyman and William Nylander in New York and comes in with 26 points (13G / 13A) in 26 games this season.
Matthews has missed the last six games but was back skating on the top line between William Nylander and Zach Hyman at Friday’s practice and is hopeful that he will play tomorrow vs. the Rangers. The Maple Leafs went 2-4-0 without Matthews in the lineup. If he plays, he brings 13 goals and 13 assists (26 points) in 26 games this season.
Matthews has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury but he will travel on the Maple Leafs brief two-game road trip before the Christmas break, suggesting that he may play either Wednesday in Columbus or Saturday in New York.
Matthews skated again on Tuesday but will not be in the lineup this afternoon. Matthews will miss his fifth straight game and there is no firm timetable for his return. This likely means he will miss Tuesday’s game in Columbus as well.
