Fleury made his season debut last Saturday but was a healthy scratch on Thursday. Tonight he will replace Trevor van Riemsdyk and is expected to skate alongside Dougie Hamilton.
Vesalainen recorded just one assist while averaging 6:50 TOI/GM in five games with the Jets before being a healthy scratch in the last two games. The former No.24 overall pick will look to hone his skills at the AHL level, leaving Brendan Lemieux to skate on Winnipeg’g fourth line.
Vesalainen has recorded just one assist while averaging just 6:50 TOI/GM in the first five games of his NHL career. Vesalainen will be replaced by Brendan Lemieux in the lineup.
Bjugstad missed Monday’s practice so his status for Tuesday’s game is in question. The Panthers called the winger “day-to-day” so monitor his status during Tuesday’s morning skate. With Bjugstad absent today, Denis Malgin skated on the Panthers’ top line and Mike Hoffman moved back to the second line.
Pionk is a minus-3 while averaging 19:15 TOI/GM in his first three games of the season. Fredrik Claesson will draw in and replace Pionk vs. the Sharks.
Fleury spent most of his time with the Hurricanes last year, picking up eight assists in 67 games. The former No.7 overall pick has posted strong offensive numbers at lower-levels but will be limited in Carolina because of their depth on the blueline.
During his first full NHL season, DeMelo failed to record a goal but added 20 assists in 63 games. Over 291 career pro games (AHL + NHL), DeMelo has scored just 10 goals, so don’t expect him to start scoring any time soon.
Kupari bounced around to different teams this year but played the majority of the year in Finland’s top league. Kupari had six goals and eight assists (14 points) in 39 games with Karpat. Kupari is one of the best skating forwards in this draft class and uses that speed to create offence.
Iafallo missed the final four games of the regular season with an upper-body injury, but was back in a familiar spot in Monday’s practice. Iafallo, who tallied 25 points (9G / 16A) in 75 games this season, skated on the top-line with Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Iafallo seemed confident that he will play Game 1, but head coach John Stevens was not as sure.
Morrissey was given some rest the other night but will draw back in tonight vs. the Flames. Morrissey has scored a goal in his last two games, to give him seven goals and 19 assists (26 points) in 79 games this season.
Lowry was given some rest the other night but will draw back in tonight vs. the Flames. Lowry has picked up five assists in his last four games to give him 20 points (8G / 12A) in 43 games this season.
Scheifele was given some rest the other night but will draw back in tonight vs. the Flames. Scheifele has been hot as of late and has 23 goals and 37 assists (70 points) in 58 games this season.
