Larkin has played all 12 games for the Red Wings this season but his status is questionable for Tuesday after missing practice on Monday with an upper-body injury. Larkin is averaging 19:50 time-on-ice, has 17 points (5G / 12A), and 41 shots on goal.
Last week, Backstrom announced he would "step away from the game" indefinitely as he takes time to focus on his health. 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.
Bobrovsky will return to the crease on Monday to face his former team, the Columbus Blue Jackets. In his most recent game, Bobrovsky saved all 22 shots he faced for his first shutout of the season and is in the midst of a six-game run (4-1-1) that has seen him post a 2.16 GAA and .925 SV%. The Panthers are heavy -219 home favourites on Monday as the Blue Jackets have lost five of their last six games (1-3-2) and have been very poor offensively all season, averaging only 2.55 goals per game.
Jiricek will watch the Blue Jackets' matchup against the Panthers from the press box on Monday as he will be a healthy scratch after playing 10 consecutive games. The 19-year-old Czech defenceman registered three points (1G / 2A) and 12 blocks while averaging a conservative 13:34 time-on-ice.
Peeke will play his second game of the season for the Blue Jackets as David Jiricek is expected to be a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Peeke was a regular in the Blue Jackets lineup the last two seasons, playing 162 games and tallying 28 points (8G / 20A). He skated next to Ivan Provorov at practice on the Blue Jackets' second defensive pairing.
Oettinger appears to be the starter for the Stars on Monday after suffering his first regulation loss of the season on Saturday, a 2-0 loss at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks. Loss aside, Oettinger has been reliable and consistent, giving the Stars a chance to win every night, sporting a 1.97 GAA and .938 SV% through seven games (5-1-1). Oettinger and the Stars will be challenged on Monday by the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Bruins, who are off to a blistering 9-1-1 start, outscoring opponents 35-21. That said, the Stars are -141 home favourites in what should be a low-scoring game between two of the top five defensive teams in the league.
Merzlikins will start against the Florida Panthers on Monday, marking his fourth consecutive start for the Blue Jackets and seventh in their last eight games. Merzlikins is coming off back-to-back solid performances (1-1-0) in which he saved 52 of 56 shots on what has otherwise been a very inconsistent season. The Blue Jackets have struggled as a whole, ranking 28th offensively (2.55 GF / GP), leaving very little room for error for their netminders. As such, the Blue Jackets are +194 road underdogs against a Panthers team that is coming off a 5-2 loss at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Fleury picked up the rare relief win in the Wild's previous game after coming in to stop 13 of 14 shots (.929 SV%) in the first period vs. the Rangers and will take on the Islanders on Tuesday. The 38-year-old has had a disappointing start to his campaign, as he is 2-2-21 with a .892 SV% and 2.83 GAA. He will head to Long Island Tuesday to take on New York, who has struggled offensively placing 23rd in the NHL in goals per game (2.7) and 18th in shots per game (30.9).
Ruzicka has missed the last four games with a shoulder injury but was a full participant at practice Monday, skating alongside A.J. Greer and Walker Duehr. The 24-year-old Slovak was off to a solid start this season, recording four points (2G / 2A) in seven games.
Kuznetsov is dealing with an illness that kept him out of practice on Monday and is uncertain for the Capitals Wednesday night matchup against the Florida Panthers. Over his last seven games, Kuznetsov has seen a huge uptick in ice time, averaging 23:12 and scoring five points (1G / 4A) while firing 21 shots on goal.
Johansson has been a workhorse for the Lightning with Andrei Vasilevskiy sidelined, starting nine of 11 games thus far, and appears to be the starter on Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Expectations were low for Johansson coming into the season with a career average of 3.35 GAA and .886 SV% but has been a marvel between the pipes for the Lightning, posting a 2.87 GAA and .916 SV% in nine games (5-1-3). Johansson was busy in his only other matchup against the Maple Leafs this season, saving 48 of 52 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss on October 21st. The Lightning are +138 road underdogs against a Maple Leafs team that has lost four consecutive games (0-2-2), being outscored 16-9.
Hanley is expected to dress as the Stars' seventh defenseman as he anticipates to make his season debut on Monday against the Boston Bruins. Hanley has become a reliable depth defenseman when called upon by the Stars, playing 129 games over the past five seasons, scoring 18 points (2G / 16A), 125 blocks, and 143 hits.
Mayfield just recently worked his way back into the lineup, playing two consecutive games, after missing seven straight with a lower-body injury. He did not participate in practice on Monday and will be a game-time decision against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. Mayfield has one point (0G / 1A), five shots, five hits, and 13 blocks while averaging 19:27 time-on-ice through three games.
Pelech did not play on Saturday because of a lower-body injury but appears likely to return to the Islanders lineup on Tuesday. His status will be confirmed closer to the puck drop. The 29-year-old Pelech is averaging 20:33 time-on-ice and has racked up one point (0G / 1A), 20 blocks, and 12 hits in nine games this season.
Horvat played 20:06 on Saturday, recording two points (0G / 2A), but suffered an undisclosed injury at some point, making him a game-time decision for the Islanders' Tuesday night matchup against the Minnesota Wild. Horvat is averaging 19:43 time-on-ice this season and has nine points (4G / 5A) through 10 games.
Olivier will likely slot back into the Blue Jackets' lineup as Emil Bemstrom is expected to be a healthy scratch. Olivier hasn't played since October 30th, but has six games under his belt this season, recording two points (0G / 2A) while averaging 9:12 time-on-ice. He is expected to skate on the third line with Yegor Chinakhov and Cole Sillinger.
Bemstrom has played 10 games with the Blue Jackets this season, recording four points (1G / 3A), 17 shots, and a -5 plus/minus rating. He is expected to be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Mathieu Olivier to draw back into the lineup.
Pavel has been held pointless in 10 games with the Eagles this season. The undrafted Czech centericeman was signed by the Avalanche last year, directly out of Minnesota State University.
Duchene left Saturday's game in Vancouver with an upper-body injury after a high hit from Ian Cole and will not dress Monday. Duchene is considered day-to-day and is expecting Joel Hanley to be dressed as at the seventh defenseman or the Stars will have to recall a forward from the AHL for Monday.
Pesce, who has missed the Hurricanes' last seven games with a lower-body injury, participated at practice on Monday in a non-contact jersey. His presence at practice is an encouraging sign for the Hurricanes, though his actual return to the lineup will be dependent on when he is cleared for contact. Pesce has two points (1G / 1A) in five games this season.
