Vaakanainen has yet to collect a point even though he has seven shots and is a -5 plus/minus through seven games this season but will be a healthy scratch Tuesday as he is replaced by Colton White.
John Gibson allowed four goals on 19 shots (.789 SV%) and took his fourth loss in five starts as he was downed by San Jose in his last start. The 29-year-old is having an incredibly down year, as he has a 5-13-3 record, .894 SV% and 3.99 GAA. He takes on one of the league's hottest teams the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have gotten at least a point in 15 straight contests (12-0-3).
Fast was questionable to return Tuesday but is still day-to-day with a lower-body injury that will keep him out of the lineup. The 31-year-old has two goals, six assists, 23 SOG and is +3 plus/minus across 26 games prior to the injury.
Kochetkov stopped 16 of 16 shots for his 2nd shutout of the season in a win over the New York Islanders his last time out. Carolina's unexpected starter has been phenomenal this season, with a 6-1-4 record, .918 SV% and 2.21 GAA. He takes on the Detroit Red Wings, who have lost two straight and are 17th in the NHL in goals per game (3.07).
Merzlikins allowed five goals on 38 shots (.868 SV%) but still picked up the victory as he defeated Los Angeles in his last start. It has been a tough go so far for the 28-year-old, with a 4-7-0 record, .862 SV% and 4.83 GAA. He faces the Florida Panthers, who have lost three of their last four games but are first in the NHL in shots per game (37.8).
Gudas has not played since Dec. 3rd due to a concussion and has been placed on the injured reserve retroactively to that date to make room for Grigori Denisenko. The 32-year-old bruiser, has two goals, six points, 49 SOG and 39 PIMs in 25 games prior to the injury.
Denisenko has three goals, eight assists, 12 PIMs and is a -10 plus/minus through 24 games with Charlotte (AHL) prior to being called up Tuesday. The 2018 1st round pick (15th overall) has eight career NHL games prior to this season, collecting four assists and four PIMs.
Vejmelka allowed four goals on 41 shots (.902 SV%) for his second straight win in a victory over Philadelphia in his last start. The 26-year-old has been a star for the Coyotes this season, posting an 8-7-3 record, with a .913 SV% and 3.07 GAA. He takes on the San Jose Sharks who snapped a four-game losing streak with a 6-1 victory over Anaheim in their last game.
In 13 games with Arizona, Mayo failed to pick up a point while amassing a -7 plus/minus and six PIMs during only 11:58 ATOI. He heads to Tucson (AHL) after clearing waivers Tuesday.
Kuhlman had a goal, three points, 13 SOG and a +3 plus/minus in 14 games with Seattle prior to Winnipeg claiming him off waivers Tuesday. The 27-year-old brings 114 games and 26 points (10G/16A) of NHL experience to the Jets.
Theodore missed the Golden Knights' previous contest due to a leg injury and is now considered week-to-week. It is a massive loss for Vegas, as Theodore had four goals, 22 points, 74 SOG and was a +14 plus/minus while averaging 21:51 TOI through 29 games prior to the injury.
Sandstrom allowed five goals on 23 shots (.783 SV%) as he picked up his third straight loss in a defeat to the New York Islanders in his last start. The 25-year-old backup has struggled to find any sort of success this season with his 1-5-1 record, .889 SV% and 3.40 GAA. He takes on the Colorado Avalanche, who have struggled as of late snapping a four-game losing streak with a win over St. Louis in their last game.
Barabanov missed the Sharks' previous game due to a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision Tuesday as they take on Arizona. The 28-year-old has been enjoying a solid season prior to the injury, with three goals, 19 points and 51 SOG through 26 games played.
Hagg's injury reserve designation is retroactive to Dec. 8th when he last played vs. Florida. The 27-year-old has been in and out of Detroit's lineup all season, with two assists, 10 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus in 13 games with the Red Wings.
Reimer has been on the injured reserve since Nov. 28th due to a lower-body injury but will return for the Sharks Tuesday as they take Arizona. Reimer has struggled at times this season as shown by his .902 SV%, 3.00 GAA and 5-8-2 record. He will be hoping a clean bill of health can lead to a success similar to his .911 SV% from 2021-22. He faces the Arizona Coyotes who are last in the NHL in shots on goal per game with 23.6).
Lankinen was incredible in his last start, stopping 48 of 49 shots (.980 SV%) in a win over the New York Islanders. The Predators' backup is having far and away his best season to date, with a 6-3-3 record, 2.27 GAA and .934 SV%. He faces the Edmonton Oilers, who lost Monday vs. Minnesota but still are lethal offensively due to their first-ranked powerplay (30.2) in the NHL.
Francouz will draw his second straight start after stopping 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in a victory over the St. Louis Blues on Sunday. The Avalanche's backup has been up and down this season as shown by his 3-5-0 record, .911 SV% and 2.91 GAA. He takes on the Philadelphia Flyers, whose only win in the last five contests came against the Colorado Avalanche as they defeated them 5-3 last Monday.
Kampfer had three goals, seven assists and 12 PIMs in 19 games with Grand Rapids (AHL) prior to his promotion to the Red Wings Tuesday. Kampfer will have a chance to immediately enter the lineup as he was called up to replace Robert Hagg who was placed on the injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 8th.
Gustafsson missed the Capitals' previous game due to an upper-body injury and will be a game-time decision Tuesday. The 30-year-old has 10 assists, 40 SOG and is a -10 plus/minus through 29 games in his first season in Washington.
