Vasilevskiy allowed five goals on 33 shots in the Lightning’s loss in San Jose on Saturday. The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for Vasilevskiy, who has gone 7-1-1 with a 3.20 GAA and .911 SV% in nine starts since returning from a fractured foot. In his first start vs. the Blue Jackets, Vasilevskiy stopped 30 of 32 shots in an 8-2 win (Oct.13).
Backstrom will not skate this morning and is considered a game-time decision due to illness. Nic Dowd would likely draw into the Capitals lineup to replace Backstrom if he can’t go.
Georgiev stopped all eight shots that he faced after replacing Henrik Lundqvist in the Rangers loss in Arizona on Sunday. Georgiev has not registered a win since December 18th, allowing a combined 11 goals on 97 shots (.887 SV%) in four appearances. He comes into Tuesday’s game at 2-5-0 with a 4.27 GAA and .881 SV% on the road.
Rinne allowed four goals on 39 shots in the Predators overtime loss in Detroit on Friday. Rinne has struggled mightily as of late, going 1-5-1 with a 3.34 GAA and .893 SV% in his last eight outings. Things won’t get any easier tonight vs. a Maple Leafs team that has won six of their last eight while averaging 4.38 goals for per game.
Scherbak only scored one goal in eight games with the Kings after being claimed off of waivers from Montreal. Scherbak heads to the AHL where he has 28 goals and 67 assists (95 points) in 145 career games.
Smith was forced to leave Sunday’s game vs. the Devils and missed Monday’s practice due to an undisclosed injury. Head coach Gerard Gallant listed Smith as day-to-day so look for Brandon Pirri to replace him on Tuesday.
Vlasic remained off of the ice during Monday’s morning skate and will miss his second straight game with an undisclosed injury. The Sharks did just fine without Vlasic vs. the No.1 team in the NHL over the weekend so expect them to be patient with Vlasic.
Simek has missed the last two games with a concussion but could be back Monday vs. the Kings. Simek is officially questionable so monitor his status as the Sharks hit the ice for warmups. Simek has recorded five points (1G / 4A) in 14 games since being recalled from the AHL.
Archibald recorded one assist in two games with Belleville since being acquired from the Canucks. The 28-year-old winger has 14 points (6G / 8A) in 52 career NHL games.
Forsberg was considered questionable heading into tonight’s game in Toronto but activated from IR suggests that he will return to the lineup tonight. Forsberg has missed the last 18 games but is expected to return to the top-line with Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson. Forsberg had 14 goals and eight assists (22 points) in 26 games before getting hurt.
Jones made 17 saves on 19 shots in the Sharks win over the Lightning on Saturday. Tampa Bay did not show up in this one after a ridiculously hot stretch. Jones enters play riding a four-game winning streak despite posting a 3.02 GAA and .888 SV%. Tonight he faces the Kings for the third time this season—he is 1-0-1 with a 2.42 GAA and .904 SV% in the first two meetings.
Yakovlev was sent down on Sunday to call-up a backup goalie MacKenzie Blackwood out but has been recalled to serve as the Devils’ 6/7th defenseman.
Quenneville has been a healthy scratch for the last two games, so he returns to Binghamton so the Devils could call-up Egor Yakovlev.
Blais has split his season between the AHL and NHL, picking up just one assist in 16 games with the Blues. During his time with the Rampage, the 22-year-old has 11 points (4G / 7A) in 19 games.
Schmaltz has been a healthy scratch for the last nine games and was waived on Sunday. It was a bit of surprise to see Schmaltz clear waivers and heads back to the AHL, where he had five goals and 18 assists (23 points) in 31 games last season.
Fabbri has been in the lineup for the last three games but will be replaced by Patrick Maroon/Joel Edmundson as the Blues go with 11 forwards, seven defenseman. Fabbri has had a disappointing season, picking just two goals and two assists in 18 games.
Rask made 31 saves on 32 shots in the Bruins win over the Sabres on Saturday. Rask has been great in his last three outings, winning all three while stopping 93 of 98 shots (.949 SV%). He comes into Tuesday’s game at 6-4-0 with a 2.32 GAA and .919 SV% at the TD Garden.
