Ovechkin skipped this past weekend's All-Star festivities and will miss Monday's game in Montreal as a result. With Ovechkin suspended, Travis Boyd is expected to draw into the lineup but it remains to be seen who will move up to play with Nicklas Backstrom.
Holtby was pulled after he allowed four goals on 22 shots in the Capitals' come-from-behind win over the Islanders on January 18th. Holtby continues to struggle, giving up at least three goals in seven straight outings. He has a 4.53 GAA and .830 SV% over that stretch and is now 45th in the NHL in GAA (3.09) and tied for 48th in SV% (.897 SV%) on the season. On Monday, he'll face a Montreal team that has won four of their last five while scoring 2.80 goals per game.
Howard allowed three goals on 37 shots in the Red Wings loss to the Panthers on Saturday. He was terrific on back-to-back games, stopping 69 of 74 shots (.932 SV%) but was still 0-1-1. Even when he plays well he can't snap his lengthy losing streak and he draws a brutal road assignment in Colorado. Not to mention it's his third start in four nights.
Merzlikins is riding a four-game winning streak, posting shutouts in three of those games and giving up just two goals on 136 shots (.985 SV%). Tonight he'll take on a struggling Jets team that played last night. Winnipeg has lost five of their last six while averaging just 2.00 goals per game.
Merzlikins is riding a four-game winning streak, posting shutouts in three of those games and giving up just two goals on 136 shots (.985 SV%). Tonight he'll take on a struggling Jets team that played last night. Winnipeg has lost five of their last six while averaging just 2.00 goals per game.
Howard allowed five goals on 45 shots in the Red Wings loss in Colorado on Monday. He has been solid in his last three outings with nothing to show for it. He's stopped 109 of the 119 shots (.916 SV%) that he's faced over that stretch. Tonight he'll face a Wild team that has lost five of their last seven (2-4-1) while scoring 3.29 goals per game.
With Mikko Koivu returning from an illness, Donato will sit as a healthy scratch vs. the Red Wings. Donato has scored one goal with one assist in his last eight games.
Cholowski has scored two goals with three assists (five points) in 17 games with the Griffins this season. Cholowski is expected to replace Mike Green, who is out with an upper-body injury. Cholowski has 24 points (9G / 15A) in 81 career NHL games.
Mrazek allowed three goals on 18 shots in the Hurricanes loss in Columbus last Thursday. He has lost his last two starts and four of his last five with a 2.46 GAA, .911 SV% and a shutout in the lone win. Tonight he sees a Jets squad that has lost four of their last five while scoring just 11 goals (2.20 GF/gm).
Bobrovsky allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Panthers win in Minnesota last night. Bobrovsky has won three straight while stopping 86 of 93 shots (.925 SV%). Tonight he faces a Blackhawks team, that has also won five straight games and have averaged an impressive 4.40 goals per game during that run.
Based on line rushes in Monday's practice, it looks like Haula could sit Tuesday vs. the Jets. Haula has missed time due to a knee injury this season, so scratching him on Tuesday could be a way to give him an extra couple of days off before the Hurricanes bye week. Jordan Martinook would replace Haula if he's out.
Greiss stopped 31 of 32 shots in the Islanders' shootout loss in Carolina on Sunday. It was a terrific performance from Greiss, who is 2-0-1 with a 1.81 GAA and .942 SV% in his last four appearances (three starts). Tonight he faces a Rangers team that is 5-1-0 while scoring 4.67 goals per game in their last six home games.
Mantha, who has been out since December 21st, will be sidelined until at least late February. Head coach Jeff Blashill did not rule out the possibility of Mantha missing the rest of the regular season, especially when you consider that the Red Wings season is effectively over.
Nielsen left Monday's game early in the first period and did not return. Nielsen will miss Wednesday's game but could be back next Friday when the Red Wings return from their bye week. Christoffer Ehn will likely draw into the lineup to replace Nielsen.
Green was forced to leave Monday's game with an upper-body injury and head coach Jeff Blashill announced that he'll be out for at least a couple of weeks. With the bye week starting after Wednesday's game, Green could only end up missing roughly seven games. Jonathan Ericsson will likely draw back into the lineup for Ericsson on Wednesday.
