Kuznetsov is battling an illness and will be a game-time decision against the Florida Panthers. If Kuznetsov is unable to go, Connor McMichael will likely move into the top-six for the Capitals, who also recalled Michael Sgarbossa from Hershey (AHL) on Wednesday. After a slow start to the season, Kuznetsov has four points (1G / 3A) in his past three games.
Kuemper will likely return to the Capitals crease on Wednesday after serving as the backup to Charlie Lindgren in the team's most recent contest, a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Kuemper has been inconsistent this season, playing well below his career average, likely a reflection of the Capitals team in front of him who, despite a respectable 5-4-1 start, ranks 31st in the league offensively (1.90 GF / GP). In his most recent game, Kuemper allowed three goals on 21 shots (.857 SV%) in a 3-0 loss to the New York Rangers. On Wednesday, the Capitals are +118 home underdogs as they welcome the Florida Panthers, who have collected points in five of their last six outings (4-1-1).
Zub has not played since October 21st due to an upper-body injury but could be an option to finally make his return on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. In four games this season, Zub has scored three points (1G / 2A), eight hits, and nine blocks while averaging 17:57 time-on-ice.
It appears Woll will return to the crease for the Maple Leafs after starting the team's previous matchup backing up Ilya Samsonov but eventually entering the net in relief and making 18 of 19 saves in an eventual 6-5 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before his strong relief effort on Tuesday, Woll allowed nine goals on 67 shots (.866 SV%) in his previous two games (0-2-0), a blemish on an otherwise impervious season thus far. The Maple Leafs are -156 home favourites against an Ottawa Senators team that has lost five of their last six (1-5-0).
Toninato has been with the Jets since October 20th but was unable to crack their lineup and is now being loaned to the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. Before his initial call-up, Toninato had two points (1G / 1A) in two games with Manitoba.
Last week, Backstrom announced he would "step away from the game" indefinitely as he takes time to focus on his health and has now been placed on the LTIR. In 2022, Backstrom had hip resurfacing surgery that forced him to miss the majority of the 2022-23 season. The 35-year-old Sweedish center iceman has played 1105 career games, all with the Washington Capitals, registering 1033 points (271G / 762A), but has only scored 22 points (7G / 15A) in 47 games since his surgery, a 0.47 point-per-game pace, down significantly from the 0.96 pace he had prior.
With Nicklas Backstrom being placed on the long-term injured reserve and Evgeny Kuznetsov out due to illness, the Capitals have recalled journeyman Michael Sgarbossa from the Hershey Bears of the AHL. In 11 games with the Bears this season, Sgarbossa has 12 points (3G / 9A). Dating back to the 2012-13 season, Sgarbossa has 65 NHL games under his belt, registering 16 points (4G / 12A).
Jarry saved all 21 shots he faced before exiting the game late in the second period after Ducks' forward Adam Henrique collided with his head. Hellberg entered the game and saved 11 shots en route to an eventual 2-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. If Jarry misses any extended time, expect Hellberg to take on starting duties for the Penguins as Alex Nedeljkovic is also out of the lineup, on long-term injured reserve with a lower-body injury.
Vanecek has seemingly secured the Devils' starting gig as he will be the starter for the fifth time in their last six games. Vanecek has been far from perfect but has done enough to give the high-scoring Devils (3.91 GF / GP) a chance to win on most nights, posting a 3.05 GAA and .900 SV% through eight games (6-2-0). The Devils, without Jack Hughes, are +160 road underdogs against the Colorado Avalanche, who will be desperate for a victory after being shut out in three of their last four contests (1-3-0).
Georgiev will look to rebound after allowing a season-worst seven goals on 34 shots in a 7-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday. Georgiev started the season by saving 109 of 113 shots (.965 SV%) in his first four outings (4-0-0) but has since fallen off a cliff, allowing 22 goals on 145 shots (.848 SV%) in his five games since (2-3-0). The Avalanche have been shut out in three of their last four games (1-3-0) but are still -178 home favourites against a New Jersey Devils team that is expected to be without both of their top two centermen, Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier.
After watching Philipp Grubauer start the previous three games, Daccord will return the starter's crease for the Kraken on Tuesday. Daccord has been more than serviceable when called upon this season, posting a 2.88 GAA and .912 SV% in five games (2-1-2). The Kraken are slight -106 road favourites against an Arizona Coyotes team that has lost four of their last six (2-3-1). After losing their first four games (0-3-1), the Kraken have slowly begun to right the ship, registering points in five of their last eight (4-3-1).
It's been a very hot and cold start to the 2023-24 season for Jarry. The 28-year-old netminder is tied for the league lead with two shutouts to his name, but he also boasts an unsavory .897 SV% and a 2.73 GAA across eight starts. Jarry and the Penguins will be looking to build off a dominant win in San Jose on Saturday, when Jarry turned away 24 of the 26 shots he faced enroute to the 10-2 routing. Jarry and the Penguins somewhat curiously find themselves as heavy road favourites (-190) in Anaheim tonight despite the Ducks' impressive start to the season.
Sheary logged just 35 seconds of ice-time on Tuesday before suffering the injury. The 31-year-old has one goal and two assists to his name through his first 12 games of the season. Look for Austin Watson to take Sheary's place in the Lightning lineup if he's unavailable for Thursday's game against Chicago.
Saros will be the starter on Tuesday after serving as the backup to Kevin Lankinen in two of the Predators' last three games. In his most recent contest, Saros allowed four goals on 31 shots (.871 SV%) in a 4-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken. Despite a subpar 5-6-0 record, the Predators rank top-ten in the league defensively, allowing an average of only 2.91 goals per game, which bodes well as they take on the Calgary Flames, who rank fifth-worst offensively (2.55 GF / GP).
Hellebuyck will get his fourth consecutive start on Tuesday as the Winnipeg Jets are -137 road favourites against the St. Louis Blues. Hellebuyck is coming off a 22-save performance in which he allowed three goals in a 5-3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes. However, he has not been the dominant goalkeeper the league has become accustomed to over the years, posting a 3.08 GAA and .890 SV% through nine games (5-3-1) and has recorded a sub- .900 SV% in each of his last three outings (1-1-1). That said, he will look to regain his form against the low-scoring Blues, who rank 29th in the league offensively (2.40 GF / GP).
Petry returns to the lineup in place of Justin Holl, who will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday. Petry has registered three assists, 12 blocked shots, and 10 hits in seven games this season with the Red Wings.
Jeff Petry will re-enter the lineup in place of Holl, who will sit for the third time this season. Holl has registered three assists, 11 blocked shots, and 10 hits through 10 games with the Red Wings this season.
Fischer has played primarily on the fourth line with Austin Czarnik and Klim Kostin, recording one point (0G / 1A), 11 shots, and 18 hits through 11 games with the Red Wings. He will return to the lineup after sitting out Saturday's game against the Bruins due to the upper-body injury.
