With Lian Bichsel (concussion) sidelined, Smith will re-enter the Stars' lineup on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 36-year-old Smith is averaging 12:44 time-on-ice and has four points (0G / 4A) through 24 games this season.
Oskar Back will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Stankoven to re-enter the lineup. After a tremendous start to his rookie season, tallying 14 points (4G / 10A) in his five 15 games, Stankoven only has 11 points (3G / 8A) in his last 39 outings.
The Stars are among the league's hottest teams, collecting points in nine of their last 10 (8-1-1), and will turn to Oettinger between the pipes on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Oettinger saved 34 of 37 shots (.919 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-3 win over the New York Islanders. The 26-year-old netminder has a 2.37 GAA and .912 SV% in 41 games this season (27-12-2). The Stars enter Tuesday's contest as -172 road favorites against a Blue Jackets team they defeated 5-3 on February 2nd.
Vladar has not played since February 2nd when he saved 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Seattle Kraken but will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Washington Capitals. The 27-year-old Vladar has a 3.07 GAA and .888 SV% in 22 games this season (7-10-5). The Flames enter Tuesday's contest as +165 road underdogs against a red-hot Capitals club that has scored 15 goals in their previous two contests
The Oilers have lost three straight and will hope for a better fate on Tuesday when they turn to Skinner between the pipes against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 26-year-old Skinner has a 2.81 GAA and .898 SV% in 38 appearances this season (20-13-4). He has allowed eight goals on the last 43 shots he has faced (.814 SV%). The Oilers enter Tuesday's contest as slight -103 road underdogs against a Lightning squad riding a five-game winning streak.
Stolarz was solid in his return to action after the break for the 4Nations Face-Off, saving 31 of 34 shots (.912 SV%) in a 6-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, and will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. The 31-year-old Stolarz has been solid this season, posting an impressive 2.13 GAA and .928 SV% in 19 contests (11-5-2). The Maple Leafs enter Tuesday's contest as -156 road favorites against a Bruins club amid a three-game losing skid (0-2-1).
Tampa Bay will run an 11-forward, seven-defenseman formation on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers, with Perbix drawing into the lineup to replace Cam Atkinson. The 26-year-old Perbix is averaging 15:25 time-on-ice and has 14 points (4G / 10A) in 50 games this season.
Tampa Bay will run an 11-forward, seven-defenseman formation on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers, with Nick Perbix drawing into the lineup to replace Atkinson. The 35-year-old Atkinson is averaging 8:49 time-on-ice and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 36 games this season.
Oliver Wahlstrom will draw back into Boston's lineup on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, resulting in Brazeau being a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Brazeau has already played a career-high 54 games this season, recording 20 points (10G / 10A) while averaging 13:04 time-on-ice.
Cole Koepke will draw back into Boston's lineup on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, sending Tufte to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Tufte has played four NHL games this season, averaging 8:04 time-on-ice and scoring zero points.
Justin Brazeau will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, allowing Wahlstrom to re-enter the lineup. In 15 games with the Bruins, the 24-year-old Wahlstrom is averaging 10:49 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A).
Riley Tufte will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, allowing Koepke to re-enter the lineup. The 26-year-old Koepke is averaging 10:27 time-on-ice, recording 12 points (7G / 5A) and 105 hits through 49 games this season.
Kevin Bahl will draw back into Calgary's lineup on Tuesday against the Washington Capitals, sending Bean to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Bean is averaging 15:53 time-on-ice and has seven points (2G / 5A) in 42 games this season.
Jake Bean will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Washington Capitals, allowing Bahl to re-enter the lineup. The 24-year-old Bahl has not played since January 25th. He is averaging 21:18 time-on-ice and has 14 points (2G / 12A) in 47 games this season.
Wolf was solid in his most recent outing, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks, and will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Washington Capitals. The 23-year-old Wolf is amid an excellent rookie season, posting a 2.62 GAA and .913 SV% in 34 games (20-11-3), remaining a viable candidate for the Calder trophy. The Flames enter Tuesday's contest as +165 road underdogs against a red-hot Capitals club that has scored 15 goals in their previous two contests (2-0-0).
Bichsel exited Sunday's 4-3 win over the New York Islanders with only 9:00 time-on-ice after receiving a hit from Casey Cizikas, who was issued a five-minute major penalty on the play. The 20-year-old Bichsel has already established himself as a staple on the Stars blueline this season, averaging 15:04 time-on-ice and recording five points (2G / 3A) in 18 contests.
Zucker did not practice on Monday but could return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 33-year-old Zucker is amid one of the best offensive campaigns of his career, scoring 44 points (18G / 26A) in 53 games this season. He has eight points (2G / 6A) during a five-game point streak.
Tuch left Saturday's blowout win over the Rangers with an undisclosed injury but he could return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The Sabres did state post game that they were not "too concerned" about the injury so it is not expected to keep the 28-year-old out long-term. The 28-year-old Tuch is averaging 19:21 time-on-ice and has 43 points (19G / 24A) in 55 games this season.
The Capitals have outscored their opposition 15-6 in their last two games (2-0-0) and will turn to Thompson between the pipes on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames. Thompson saved 29 of 32 shots (.906 SV%) in his most recent outing, an 8-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 28-year-old netminder has an exquisite 2.25 GAA and .920 SV% in 32 games this season (25-2-5). The Capitals enter Tuesday's contest as -185 home favorites against a Flames squad that has lost three of their last four (1-2-1).
The Blue Jackets snapped a four-game losing skid in their most recent contest, a 5-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks when Merzlikins saved 27 of 28 shots (.964 SV%). The 30-year-old Merzlikins returns to the crease on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars, looking to improve his 2.94 GAA and .897 SV% through 38 games this season (20-14-4). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +154 home underdogs against a Stars squad with points in nine of their last 10 (8-1-1).
