Blais has been up and down many time this season, scoring one goal with two assists in nine games with St. Louis and 14 points (6G / 8A) in 12 AHL games. He will likely draw into the lineup during the Blues home-and-home with the Jets this weekend.
Blais had one goal on three shots in two games with the Blues since being recalled from Chicago (AHL) but will be replaced by Oskar Sundqvist in the lineup tonight.
Blais was recently called up after he collected 13 points (5G / 8A) in 11 games with San Antonio (AHL). Tonight he will replace Magnus Paajarvi and is expected to skate on the Blues’ third line. Blais has one assist in four NHL games this season.
Matthews took part in the Maple Leafs optional morning skate and was off of the ice ahead of the scratches, which suggests that he will return to the lineup tonight. Monitor his status when the Leafs hit the ice for warmups at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Matthews has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury but skated on the top line in Friday’s practice and his status for Saturday’s game will be determined after their morning skate.
Matthews practiced on Wednesday and took part in the optional morning skate today, but he will not play tonight vs. New Jersey. Despite missing his fourth consecutive game, Matthews appears to be on track to play Saturday in Montreal.
Nylander missed today’s practice, but the Maple Leafs are off until Thursday, so expect him to be fine and ready to go against New Jersey.
Tanev suffered a thumb injury in Calgary on Wednesday and is expected to miss at least 14 days as a result, but avoided surgery and a much longer timetable. Luckily for the Canucks they got Alex Edler back on the blueline last night.
Matthews will miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury and it sounds like there is a good chance he won’t play tomorrow in Boston either. After Saturday the Maple Leafs are off until next Thursday, so it would be smart for them to get their franchise player back to 100 percent instead of rushing him.
