Kotkaniemi has missed eight games since being hit by Lars Eller in the final seconds of the club's game against the Washington Capitals on Monday, March 28. Today at morning skate Kotkaniemi returned to his center position, working in between Jordan Martinook and Martin Necas.
To compensate for Kotkaniemi's return, Max Domi, who had been playing center, returns to the wing. #13 was operating to the left of Vincent Trocheck and Martin Necas to start the day.
On defense, Ethan Bear comes back in for Brendan Smith. Smith played Tuesday night in the win over New York while Bear was the healthy extra.
Lastly, in net, Antti Raanta was in the starter's crease, set to make his first appearance since last Thursday against Buffalo. He stopped 18 out of 21 in the 5-3 win. Raanta was scheduled to start Sunday against Anaheim, but the team went with Andersen after Raanta showed up for morning skate not feeling 100%.
The projected lineup for tonight's 7 p.m. ESPN+ and Hulu puck drop is:
Forwards:
Svechnikov - Aho - Jarvis
Domi - Trocheck - Teravainen
Niederreiter - Staal - Fast
Martinook - Kotkaniemi - Necas
Defensemen:
Slavin - DeAngelo
Skjei - Pesce
Cole - Bear
Starting Goalie:
Raanta
Scratches:
Steven Lorentz
Brendan Smith
Derek Stepan
Note: Lineup subject to change prior to opening faceoff
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NHL Standings
