News and notes from around the NHL this morning:
- The Boston Bruins have called up two players from the AHL Providence Bruins this morning—forwards Noel Acciari and Danton Heinen—and sent down forward Anton Blidh, reports Mark Divver of the Providence Journal. Acciari has struggled so far with the big club, but was placed on IR after suffering a lower body injury. His demotion may have been a conditioning stint for the young forward to regain his legs before re-joining the Bruins. Heinen, however, had been sent down after failing to register a point with Boston this year. He turned it around in the AHL and racked up 13p (7G, 6A) in 13 games. Heinen skated with David Krejci and David Backes on the second line this morning while Acciari was on the fourth line with Dominic Moore and Tim Schaller.
- Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy will start tonight for the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Pittsburgh Penguins, reports Bryan Burns of Tampabaylightning.com. This will be Vasilevskiy’s 11th start this season, and the Russian netminder has made the most of his opportunities. His 2.27 GAA and .929 SV% are significantly better than starter Ben Bishop’s numbers, and Vasilevskiy could supplant Bishop in the starting role if things remain the same. More likely, however, is that the Lightning will platoon Bishop and Vasilevskiy until they find a trading partner for Bishop, who is a UFA at season’s end.
- The Ottawa Senators are hoping that injured forward Curtis Lazar returns Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks. Lazar suffered a concussion last Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins when Penguins forward Brian Dumoulin hit Lazar from behind. Lazar is skating with the Senators and the Ottawa Citizen’s Ken Warren expects him back in time for the Sens’ tilt with the Sharks. Lazar will have to work hard to overcome his early season slump, however, as he has failed to register a point so far this season.