Goldobin has been outstanding in the AHL this year, leading Utica with 20 points (8G / 12A) in 18 games. He returns to Vancouver, where he had 27 points (7G / 20A) in 63 games last year and should be a middle-6 winger in 2019-20.
Baertschi sat as a healthy scratch for the last three games and returns to the AHL, with Nikolay Goldobin coming the other way. Baertschi has played well in Utica, posting 10 points (2G / 8A) in seven games this season.
Kivlenieks comes up to serve as Joonas Korpisalo's backup while Elvis Merzlikins gets some playing time in the AHL. Kivlenieks has gone 6-1-3 with a 2.51 GAA and .903 SV% in nine AHL games this season.
This is the second time that the Blue Jackets have done this. They want Merzlikins to get some playing time and with Joonas Korpisalo playing well, he's not going to get that in Columbus right now. Merzlikins allowed one goal on 29 shots in a losing effort in his only AHL game.
Driedger has been outstanding in the AHL this season, posting a 2.09 GAA and .938 SV% in 14 games. His terrific play has translated into just six wins but is enough for him to be given an opportunity to be Sergei Bobrovsky's backup moving forward. Sam Montembeault heads the other way to take his spot as Springfield's starter.
Montembeault has struggled as the Panthers' backup this season, posting a 3.31 GAA and .889 SV% in five appearances. Florida sent him to the AHL to try and find his game and recalled Chris Driedger, who has an impressive .938 SV% in the AHL this year.
Holtby stopped 32 of 33 shots in the Capitals' loss to the Canucks on Saturday. After having his seven-game winning streak, Holtby has now lost two in a row. Coming into Wednesday's meeting with the Panthers, Holtby is 4-0-3 with a 2.48 GAA and .916 SV% on home-ice. He allowed four goals on 36 shots in a 5-4 overtime win in his first start against Florida (Nov.7).
Quick gave up two goals on 18 shots in the Kings 3-2 loss to the Coyotes on Saturday. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Quick, who has a 1.81 GAA and .927 SV% in his last five starts. The Sharks will be without Tomas Hertl but have won eight of their last nine (8-1-0) while scoring 3.67 goals per game.
Gibson allowed five goals on 28 shots in the Ducks loss in Florida last Thursday. Gibson has lost two in a row while giving up a combined nine goals on 58 shots (.845 SV%). He comes into the night at 5-4-0 with a 2.78 GAA and .917 SV% on home-ice and will have his hands-full vs. an Islanders team that has gone 15-0-2 in their last 17 games.
Subban surrendered four goals on 25 shots in the Golden Knights loss in Los Angeles on November 16th. Subban is still searching for his first win of the season after starting 0-3-2, including 0-3-1 with a 3.30 GAA and .884 SV% on the road. Leave him on free agency against a Stars team that has gone 10-0-1 while scoring 3.91 goals per game in their last 11 games.
Saros turned aside 24 of 26 shots in the Predators 4-2 win in St. Louis on Saturday. With the Blues in town tonight on the second half of a home-and-home, the Predators will stick with what worked on the weekend. It is rare for Saros to start two in a row, but Pekka Rinne has struggled as of late. The 24-year-old netminder is still looking for his first win on home-ice, having gone 0-3-0 with a. 2.97 GAA and .887 SV% at Bridgestone Arena so far.
Hutton allowed four goals on 27 shots in the Sabres loss in Chicago on November 17th. Hutton is on a six-game losing streak, allowing a combined 23 goals on 185 shots (.876 SV%). He hasn't played well and facing the Lightning in Tampa Bay on the tail-end of a back-to-back is a recipe for disaster.
Johnson is not 100 percent after being hit from behind by Alexander Kerfoot on Saturday night. His former teammate was suspended for two games for the hit and Johnson is currently being listed as day-to-day.
Rantanen joined his teammates for practice on Monday and head coach Jared Bednar left open the possibility of him playing by this weekend. Rantanen will likely miss his 15th consecutive game on Wednesday but monitor his status ahead of their Friday/Saturday home-and-home with the Blackhawks.
