Palmieri has not played since Nov.21st due to an upper-body injury but will not return Tuesday vs. the Bruins. The 31-year-old veteran winger has six goals, nine points and 37 SOG through 20 games prior to hitting the shelf due to injury.
Copley stopped 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%) as he picked up his second victory in as many starts with a win over Montreal. Since being recalled last week from Ontario (AHL), Copley has been sensational, with a 2-0-0 record, .927 SV% and 2.00 GAA. He takes on the Buffalo Sabres, who are on a two-game losing streak but rank second in the NHL in goals per game (3.86).
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.
Anderson stopped 29 of 33 shots (.879 SV%) and took the overtime loss as he faced Pittsburgh in his previous start. The league's oldest player has been incredibly solid in limited starts this season, with a 5-4-1 record, .912 SV% and 2.97 GAA. He takes on the Los Angeles Kings, who are 10th in the NHL in goals per game (3.39).
Wedgewood last took the crease on Dec. 4th when he stopped 14 of 15 shots (.933 SV%) in an overtime loss to Minnesota. The Stars' backup has been solid this season, with his 5-4-2 record, .908 SV% and 3.05 GAA. He takes on the New Jersey Devils, who are third in the NHL in goals per game (3.68) and fourth in shots (34.7).
White will be back in the Ducks' lineup after missing the last two games as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old has one assist, nine SOG, six PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through 14 games this season.
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.
