Mitchell replaced Kevin Shattenkirk on Saturday but will return to the press box as a healthy scratch on Wednesday. The 24-year-old defenseman has two points (0G / 2A), 11 shots, and 13 blocks in 13 games this season.
Hellebuyck is among the league's hottest goaltenders since mid-November and will return to the crease on Wednesday evening. Hellebuyck has won 10 of his last 13 games (10-1-2), allowing three or fewer goals in each contest, posting a sensational .938 SV%. The American netminder has been a big reason why the Jets have catapulted into a race for the top seed in the Central Division, and he is in for a favourable matchup against the league-worst Chicago Blackhawks.
Bobrovsky saved 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in the Panthers' last game before the Christmas break, an impressive 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday and will return to the crease on Wednesday. The sometimes-inconsistent Bobrovsky has played well over the last month, posting a .916 SV% through nine games (6-3-0). The Panthers are slight -112 road favourites against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have won three straight, outscoring their opposition 13-6.
Markstrom was terrific in his first two games after returning from a fractured finger (2-0-0), saving 58 of 59 shots (.983 SV%) before allowing four goals on 33 shots (.879 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings in his most recent outing. Markstrom will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken, who they defeated 4-3 on November 30th. The Flames are -139 home favourites against the Kraken, who have points in six straight (4-0-2), outscoring their opposition 21-10.
Omitting a horrible performance on December 19 when he allowed four goals on 18 shots (.778 SV%), Levi has been tremendous this month, posting a .932 SV% in five December contests (4-0-1). Levi will return to the crease for the Sabres on Wednesday, his third start in their last four games, in a challenging matchup against the struggling Boston Bruins. The Sabres are +130 road underdogs against a Bruins team that has lost four straight (0-2-2).
Despite winning three straight contests, Jordan Binnington will serve as the backup for the second time in the last three games for the Blues. Hofer was outstanding on December 21st, saving 37 of 38 shots (.974 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers. Hofer has been wildly inconsistent in his first full season at the NHL level but has saved 46 of the last 48 shots he has faced (.958 SV%). The Blues are +153 home underdogs against the Dallas Stars, who they defeated 4-3 less than two weeks ago.
On Saturday, Shattenkirk was a healthy scratch and replaced by Ian Mitchell on the Bruins' defensive core. Shattenkirk has two goals and six assists in 26 games this season and is expected to skate with Parker Wotherspoon on the third defensive pair.
Swayman allowed five goals on 33 shots in his last games (.848 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on December 22nd and will look to rebound when he returns to the crease on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. In recent outings against the Sabres, the Bruins have opted to start former Sabres' netminder Linus Ullmark but are using a different approach by turning to Swayman after losing 3-1 to the Sabres earlier this month. Swayman has lost three straight games (0-1-2) despite only allowing two goals in two of them, posting a .912 SV%.
Cody Glass will draw back into the lineup in favour of Trenin, who will be a healthy scratch for the first time since November 11th. Trenin has nine points (7G / 2A), 49 shots, and 79 hits in 33 games this season.
Glass will re-enter the lineup for the Predators in favour of Yakov Trenin, who will be a healthy scratch. Glass last played on December 19th, scoring one point (1G / 0A) and two shots on goal in 12:23 time-on-ice.
Fabbro has been scratched for four of the last five games for the Predators but will return to the lineup on Wednesday in favour of Tyson Barrie. In 25 games this season, Fabbro has skated predominantly alongside Roman Josi and has seven points (2G / 5A), 19 hits, and 40 blocks.
Barrie will be a healthy scratch as Dante Fabbro will draw back into the Predators' lineup. Barrie had played five straight games for the Predators, scoring one point (1G / 0A), a -2 plus/minus, and averaged slightly over 17 minutes per night.
Askarov was recalled from the Milwaukee Admirals and participated in practice for the Predators on Wednesday morning. Kevin Lankinen (illness) was not present at practice and as a result, Askarov suited up as the backup goaltender. Askarov was the 11th overall pick of the Predators in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and has a 2.45 GAA and .908 SV% through 15 games (8-6-1) with the Admirals this season.
Lankinen, who last played on December 19th, saving 11 of 11 shots in relief of Juuse Saros, is battling an illness and will not suit up for the Predators on Wednesday. The team has recalled Yaroslav Askarov, who will serve as the backup to Saros.
Hartman did not play the last two games for Minnesota but will likely return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings. Hartman has nine goals and six assists in 27 games this season while playing predominantly alongside Mats Zuccarello and Kiril Kaprizov.
Minnesota has opted to give Gustavsson some rest over the last week, but the team will turn back to him Wednesday for his second start in their last four games. After a horrendous start to the 2023-24 campaign, Gustavsson has been among the league's best goaltenders over the last month, allowing two or fewer goals in seven of nine games (7-2-0), posting a sensational .936 SV%. Minnesota is a -136 home favourite against the Detroit Red Wings, who have lost five of their last six games (1-5-0).
Saros allowed two goals in the last 15 seconds in the Predators' last game before the Christmas break, a heart-breaking 3-2 regulation loss to the Dallas Stars. That said, Saros has played well over the last month and will likely return to the crease on Wednesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. Saros has won 11 of his last 14 games (11-3-0), allowing two goals or fewer in nine, posting an impressive .923 SV%. The Predators are +124 home underdogs against the Hurricanes, who have lost four of their last five (1-1-3).
