Pettersson took part in the Canucks morning skate and is close to returning to the lineup but will miss his fourth straight game tonight. Pettersson said he’s “feeling better every day” and hopes to play on Friday.
Markstrom allowed one goal on 24 shots in the Canucks win over the Panthers on Sunday. The win snapped a three-game losing skid for Markstrom, who has played some excellent hockey over the last month and a half. Tonight he gets the Oilers for the third time this season—he is 2-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .926 SV% in the first two meetings.
Kuemper allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Coyotes win in Edmonton on Saturday. Kuemper is riding a surprising three-game winning streak, stopping 79 of the 84 shots (.941 SV%) that he faced. He will look to stay hot against the Sharks, who he beat back in December, stopping 35 of the 38 shots he faced in a shootout victory.
Lundqvist allowed two goals on 36 shots in the Rangers win over the Hurricanes on Tuesday. It was a much-needed win for Lundqvist, who will make his second straight start on Thursday. In his first start vs. the Blackhawks, King Henrik allowed three goals on 36 shots in a 4-1 loss (Oct.25).
Ullmark allowed two goals on 13 shots after replacing Carter Hutton in the Sabres loss in Edmonton on Monday. Ullmark has gone 4-2-0 with a 2.59 GAA, .925 SV% and one shutout in his last seven appearances. Tonight he will take on a Flames team that is on a five-game winning streak, outscoring their opponents 23-to-12 during that time.
Schilling has one assist in four games with the Jets this season. With Ben Chiarot out, Schilling comes up to be the Jets’ spare defenseman.
Duchene missed the last three games to be with his wife for the birth of their baby but is ready to play Wednesday vs. his former team. Duchene is expected to skate with Bobby Ryan and Ryan Dzingel and enters play with 18 goals and 24 assists (42 points) in 37 games.
Chabot has missed the last eight games with a shoulder injury but is set to play Wednesday vs. the Avalanche. Chabot had an insane pace going before getting hurt, scoring 10 goals with 28 assists (38 points) in 38 games. Chabot is expected to skate with Dylan DeMelo at 5v5 and back on the top power-play unit.
Hamonic will miss his second straight game with a family illness, which means Dalton Prout will remain in the Flames lineup.
Neal missed Tuesday’s practice and Wednesday’s morning skate due to illness and will not play tonight vs. the Sabres. With Neal out, Austin Czarnik will skate on the Flames third line.
Rittich allowed three goals on 27 shots in the Flames win over the Panthers last Friday. Rittich has won five in a row despite posting a 3.18 GAA and .902 SV%. Rittich hasn’t been as sharp as he was earlier this season but has been doing just enough to win games. Tonight he gets a Sabres team that has lost seven of their last nine (2-6-1).
Rittich allowed three goals on 27 shots in the Flames win over the Panthers last Friday. Rittich has won five in a row despite posting a 3.18 GAA and .902 SV%. Rittich hasn’t been as sharp as he was earlier this season but has been doing just enough to win games. Tonight he gets a Sabres team that has lost seven of their last nine (2-6-1).
Condra registered just one goal in six games during his call-up, playing a few games on the second line with Jason Spezza. Condra returns to the AHL where he has 14 goals and 21 assists (35 points) in 32 games.
Varlamov allowed three goals on 20 shots in Colorado’s 6-3 win in Toronto on Monday. The win snapped an ugly five-game losing streak for Varlamov and moved him into a tie for 29th in wins (12) on the year. He draws a stellar matchup in Ottawa but is 7-7-1 with a 2.93 GAA, .905 SV% and one shutout on the road this year.
Backes will be replaced by Peter Cehlarik who was called up from Providence (AHL) on Tuesday afternoon. Backes has just one goal and one assist in his last six games.
Cehlarik was called up because Jake DeBrusk was dealing with a lower-body injury but DeBrusk will play. So Cehlarik will replace David Backes, who comes out as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old winger has four points (1G / 3A) in 17 career NHL games and 29 points (10G / 19A) in 37 games with Providence this season.
DeBrusk is dealing with a lower-body injury but will be available for Wednesday’s game in Philadelphia. The Bruins recalled Peter Cehlarik from Providence (AHL) to replace DeBrusk but with him playing, David Backes will be the healthy scratch up front.
Koskinen was outstanding on Monday, stopping 41 of 43 shots in a 7-2 win over the Sabres. Koskinen was able to put an ugly stretch of games behind him and will look to stay on-track tonight vs. the Canucks. It looks like a nice matchup on paper but Koskinen is 0-2-0 with a 5.37 GAA and .800 SV% in two games vs. Vancouver this season.
Hart gave up four goals on 38 shots in the Flyers win over the Wild on Monday. Hart had a couple of rough starts early-on but has settled in as of late, going 2-2-0 with a 2.55 GAA and .928 SV% in his last four starts. He draws a tough matchup tonight vs. a Bruins team that has won six of their last eight (6-1-1).
