Jiricek has split time this season between the Blue Jackets and the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) but has not played an NHL game in a few months. The Czech defender has nine points (1G / 8A) in 36 games with the Blue Jackets this season.
The Blue Jackets will turn to Tarasov in the crease for the second straight game on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. Tarasov was outstanding in his last outing, saving 45 of 46 shots (.978 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the typically high-scoring Colorado Avalanche. The Blue Jackets are riding a two-game winning streak and enter action as +158 road underdogs.
The Penguins will turn to Nedeljkovic in the crease for the third time in the last four days as he has become the go-to option between the pipes in their push for a playoff spot. Nedeljkovic has allowed three or fewer goals in five straight outings (4-0-1), including saving 23 of 26 (.885 SV%) in his most recent contest, a 6-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. The Penguins enter action as slight -109 road favourites against the Washington Capitals.
Kuemper has only started one of the last 10 games for the Capitals but with an impending back-to-back against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes, he will likely see some action if he can suit up. The 33-year-old Kuemper has had a forgettable season, posting an ugly 3.32 GAA and .888 SV% in 33 games (13-13-3).
On the front end of a back-to-back, the Capitals will start Lindgren between the pipes for the sixth straight game. Despite a strong 2023-24 campaign, Lindgren has lost three straight, allowing five or more goals twice, including six on 31 shots (.806 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 6-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The Capitals enter on Thursday as slight -101 home underdogs in a heated battle for the second Wild-Card position in the Eastern Conference against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Couturier played only 3:21 before exiting Monday's 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders with a shoulder injury. The 31-year-old Couturier has only one point in his last 15 games and is averaging only 10:11 time-on-ice in the last six games since being a healthy scratch. He is considered day-to-day with no exact timetable for his return but is expected to miss at least the next two games.
The Senators' five-game winning streak was snapped on Tuesday but they will turn to Korpisalo between the pipes for the third straight game. Korpisalo has been stellar lately, allowing three or fewer goals in five straight (4-1-0), but struggled in his most recent outing, allowing three goals on 20 shots (.850 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild. The Senators enter action on Thursday as +138 home underdogs against the Florida Panthers.
Fix-Wolansky has become an elite offensive contributor at the AHL level but has not been able to translate that into NHL success. The 24-year-old has 58 points (24G / 34A) in 54 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season but only has four points (2G / 2A) in 24 career NHL games.
Smejkal played 12 games with Ottawa earlier this season, scoring one point (0G / 1A), but has spent most of his season in the AHL. The 27-year-old has 22 points (9G / 13A) in 45 games with the Belleville Senators (AHL) this season.
Poulin was the 21st overall pick of Pittsburgh in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and played three games with the club earlier this season. The 23-year-old has 27 points (13G / 14A) in 36 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) this season.
Friedman will get a chance to play in Arizona on Wednesday as the Canucks are opting to dress seven defensemen. Friedman has no goals and one assist in 21 games this season.
Aman will draw in for Pius Suter, who is out with an undisclosed injury. Aman has three goals and four assists in 39 games this season.
Suter was a surprise scratch for Wednesday's game with the team not announcing his absence before warmups. Nils Aman will draw into the lineup in his place.
Bains will take a seat on Wednesday as the Canucks look to get some fresh legs into their lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Bains is yet to register a point in eight games this season.
The Coyotes, sporting a 5-3-0 record in their last eight, will turn back to Ingram on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks. Ingram has allowed three or more goals in three straight (1-2-0), but recorded a victory in his last outing, saving 33 of 37 shots (.892 SV%) in an 8-4 win over the Nashville Predators. The Coyotes enter action as +132 home underdogs.
Moverare will get a chance to play against the Kraken on Wednesday as the Kings are opting to dress seven defensemen. Moverare has just one goal and no assists in 20 games this season.
Danault has missed two games due to an upper-body injury and will be unavailable once again for Wednesday's contest against the Seattle Kraken. Danault has 42 points (17G / 25A) in 72 games this season but has been held off the scoresheet in his last three.
Grubauer will somewhat surprisingly be back between the pipes for the Kraken on Wednesday after getting the nod in San Jose on Monday. Grubauer allowed just two goals on 26 shots as the Kraken picked up a 4-2 victory over the Sharks. The 32-year-old netminder has quickly rediscovered his form after his disastrous start against the Canadiens last Sunday, picking up wins in back-to-back starts. He will have his hands full on Wednesday with the Kraken being +150 underdogs in Los Angeles.
The Kings have lost three straight, falling to the second Wild Card position in the Western Conference, and will return to Talbot between the pipes. Talbot has allowed three or more goals in three of his last four (2-2-0), including four on 32 shots (.875 SV%) in his last outing, a 4-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The Kings enter action on Wednesday as -178 home favourites against the Seattle Kraken.
