Miller played just 13:41 TOI on Monday and has just two assists in his last 10 games. Miller skated as an extra in Wednesday’s morning skate, so look for Nick Holden to replace him on the third pair.
Haley is a veteran fourth-line grinder, who has just one goal and two assists while averaging just 7:30 TOI/gm in 24 games this season. Haley had three goals, 10 assists (13 points) and 187 PIMS in 78 games from 2015-to-2017 while playing with the Sharks.
Howard allowed one goal on 12 shots after replacing an injured Jonathan Bernier in the Red Wings loss to the Flyers on Sunday. Detroit dropped both games of their home-and-home with Philadelphia, moving Howard to 3-3-0 with 3.02 GAA and .898 SV% in February. He has not faced the Blackhawks this season, but they come into play absolutely sizzling, especially on the power-play.
Smith allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Flames win over the Coyotes on Monday. Smith has played well as of late, earning himself a fourth consecutive start—he is 2-0-1 with a 2.61 GAA and .919 SV%. Tonight he faces an Islanders team that is 21st in the NHL in goal-scoring (2.86 GF/pg) but allow the fewest goals against (2.29 GF/pg).
Neal is set to miss his third straight game on Wednesday and is expected to miss a few weeks with a lower-body injury that he suffered in Florida last Thursday. Austin Czarnik has receded a goal in each game since replacing Neal in the lineup.
Brodie was a late-scratch vs. the Coyotes on Monday but is expected to play Wednesday vs. the Islanders. Brodie has been held pointless for the last four games but has 29 points (7G / 22A) in 58 games this season.
Varlamov stopped all 40 shots that he faced in Colorado’s shutout win over the Golden Knights on Monday. Varlamov has turned things around lately, winning two of his last three starts while stopping 94 of the 97 shots (.969 SV%) that he faced. Varlamov has gone 1-1-0 with a 2.54 GAA and .896 SV% in two games vs. the Jets this season.
Smith allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Flames win over the Coyotes on Monday. Smith has played well as of late, earning himself a fourth consecutive start—he is 2-0-1 with a 2.61 GAA and .919 SV%. Tonight he faces an Islanders team that is 21st in the NHL in goal-scoring (2.86 GF/pg) but allow the fewest goals against (2.29 GF/pg).
Ward allowed four goals on 28 shots after replacing Collin Delia in the Blackhawks win over the Senators. Ward has gone 6-1-0 with a 2.88 GAA and .921 SV% in his last seven appearances. That is a stark contrast from his first 20 games, where he was 7-8-4 with a 3.99 GAA and .884 SV%. He makes for a quality option in Detroit but there’s always that possibility that he reverts back to the way he played from October-to-January.
Hellebuyck allowed four goals on 35 shots in the Jets loss to the Avalanche last Thursday. Laurent Brossoit started on Saturday, so Hellebuyck comes into Wednesday’s game very well rested and ready to face the Avalanche again. The 25-year-old has gone 2-1-0 with a 3.34 GAA and .906 SV% in three games vs. Colorado this season.
Howard allowed one goal on 12 shots after replacing an injured Jonathan Bernier in the Red Wings loss to the Flyers on Sunday. Detroit dropped both games of their home-and-home with Philadelphia, moving Howard to 3-3-0 with 3.02 GAA and .898 SV% in February. He has not faced the Blackhawks this season, but they come into play absolutely sizzling, especially on the power-play.
Seabrook missed Monday’s game against the Senators and will not appear in Wednesday’s game in Detroit. Gustav Firstling will remain in the lineup with Seabrook out.
Halak stopped all 30 shots that he faced in the Bruins shutout win in Anaheim last Friday. Tuukka Rask started the last two games but Halak will go Wednesday in Vegas and he comes in having won two straight while stopping 65 of 66 shots (.985 SV%). In his first start against the Golden Knights, Halak stopped 37 of the 38 shots that he faced to win 4-1 (Nov.11).
