Busy Saturday afternoon on the injury front. Between Los Angeles, Ottawa, Long Island and Montreal, several players changed status, and two Sunday goalies are already known. Here's what it means for your pool.
Afternoon injuries
- Adrian Kempe (Kings, undisclosed) is day-to-day and sat out against Buffalo. He has 8 points in 12 games, 3 of them on the power play. No need to panic, just check his status before LA's next game. Martin Chromiak made his NHL debut in his place.
- Andre Burakovsky and Warren Foegele (
Senators) are out three to four weeks, per Travis Green. Foegele had 4 points in 13 games and Burakovsky was still looking for his first point, so the pool hit is light. Tomasino and Bourgault draw in. - Isaac Howard (
Oilers) left the game against the Islanders after a knee on knee collision with Emil Heineman, who got a five minute major and was tossed. Some relief though, Mike Babcock says the injury looks less serious than first feared. Howard will still sit out Sunday at the Rangers. He has 3 points in 13 games. - Ivan Demidov (
Canadiens) worked out off the ice Saturday morning, still in a walking boot on his right foot, per RDS. He hasn't skated yet, so his absence could run past the original two to four weeks. He had 2 points in 2 games before getting hurt. Keeper and dynasty folks, stay patient. - Victor Olofsson (undisclosed) is travelling with Vegas on the upcoming road trip. He had 5 points in 4 games before the injury, so keep him on your radar.
Back tonight in Dallas
- Columbus activated Ivan Provorov off injured reserve, and he plays tonight in Dallas. He had 31 points in 82 games last season, a useful depth name in deeper pools and leagues that count blocked shots.
- For the Stars, Esa Lindell is back and David Perron makes his Dallas debut, per Owen Newkirk. Perron had 28 points in 65 games last season, so watch which line he lands on.
Already set for Sunday
- Matt Tomkins starts for Edmonton on Sunday at the Rangers, his first start as an Oiler per Mike Babcock. Tristan Jarry blanked the Islanders on Saturday.
- Anaheim recalled Laurent Brossoit from San Diego, and he gets the net Sunday against Ottawa, per Daily Faceoff. A gamble, but Ottawa is without Burakovsky and Foegele.
Kucherov keeps rolling
Nikita Kucherov had 3 assists Saturday in Nashville and now has 18 points in 13 games. Jon Cooper says he's still fully committed to the team despite the trade request. Pierre LeBrun does wonder whether he might eventually take the Dylan Larkin route and stop playing to apply pressure. For now, he's a safe pick in every format. Full story in our Kucherov piece.
For tonight's confirmed goalies, see our Saturday goalie page.
