Ray Whitney scored a huge power play goal against Winnipg Monday night in a 2-1 win. They hope he’ll be back in the lineup tonight after missing practice all this week with an illness, but they can’t be sure until game time.
Chris Muller has been re-called in wake of that news and will dress tonight for the pre-game skate, and could slot in along with Dustin Jeffrey if Whitney can’t make it.
“Depending on if he gets a good meal in him and feels well tonight, energy level’s a big deal,” Ruff told media. “He wasn’t feeling well yesterday and was sick but is feeling a lot better today.”
It’s an all hands on deck situation with their points percentage on the decline, so you know if Whitney doesn’t play tonight the illness is pretty bad.
If he plays it’s expected he’ll be on a “fourth” line with Chiasson and Dustin Jeffrey. The Eakin, Roussel, Garbutt trio from mid-season has been reconstructed in the wake of Erik Cole’s upper body injury and they’ll need goals from those guys, as well as the occasional surprise from a defenseman or the lower units if they’re going to get where they want to go.
Jamie Benn-Tyler Seguin-Valeri Nichushkin
Antoine Roussel-Cody Eakin-Ryan Garbutt
Shawn Horcoff-Vern Fiddler-Colton Sceviour
Ray Whitney-Dustin Jeffrey-Alex Chiasson
Alex Goligoski-Trevor Daley
Jordie Benn-Brenden Dillon
Aaron Rome-Sergei Gonchar
Kari Lehtonen went off first this morning and is expected to start this back-to-back set. If he plays well, who’s to say he won’t play again tomorrow? It’s time to put their best foot forward in all situations. Can’t hold anything back now.