Sherwood missed the last 17 games with an oblique tear but is ready to return to game action and will do so in the AHL. The 22-year-old has three goals and one assist in 10 games with the Monsters this season.
Rosen played in four straight games but will take a seat with Anton Lindholm making his season debut in Chicago. Rosen has two assists while playing 13:49 ATOI in eight games since being called-up.
Lindholm was called-up to travel on the road-trip and will make his season debut in Chicago. Lindholm, who has 62 games of NHL experience, has register just two points (1G / 1A) in 23 games this season.
Francouz stopped 37 of 38 shots in Colorado's win over the Devils last Friday. Francouz has played extremely well as of late, winning five of his last six starts (5-0-1) while posting a 1.91 GAA and .944 SV%. The first of those six games came in Chicago, where he stopped 34 of 36 shots in a 5-2 victory--he'll look to replicate that tonight.
Miller allowed three goals on 36 shots in the Ducks loss to the Capitals on December 6th. Miller has played very sparingly (eight starts) so far this season and has lost four of his last five games (1-2-2) while posting a 3.60 GAA and .895 SV%. He hasn't been great but tonight's matchup is. The Devils just traded Taylor Hall and have lost seven of their last eight while scoring just 1.50 goals per game.
Smith missed the morning skate with flu-like symptoms but it sounds like he's likely to play vs. the Avalanche. Smith, who has five points (1G / 4A) in 27 games this season, is expected to skate on the fourth line with David Kampf and Matthew Highmore.
With Duncan Keith returning to the lineup after missing nine games with a groin injury, Seabrook will be scratched vs. the Avalanche. Seabrook has been held pointless with a minus-4 rating in his last 12 games.
Keith missed the last nine games with a groin injury but will play tonight vs. the Avalanche. Keith, who has six points (1G / 5A) in 25 games this season, will skate on the top-pair with Connor Murphy.
Crawford allowed four goals on 38 shots in the Blackhawks' loss in St. Louis last Saturday. This will be the ninth straight game that Crawford and Robin Lehner have alternated starts. Crawford is in a bit of a tail-spin right now, having gone 1-4-0 with a 3.74 GAA and .879 SV% in his last six appearances (five starts). In two appearances against the Avalanche (one start) this season, Crawford has allowed seven goals on 38 shots (.816 SV%).
Koskinen allowed one goal on 35 shots in the Oilers win in Dallas on Monday. The win snapped a brief two-game losing skid for Koskinen, is 3-3-0 with a 2.90 GAA and .910 SV% in six December starts. He has not faced St. Louis this season but has been solid on the road, going 7-2-0 with a 2.35 GAA and .928 SV% in nine road starts.
Allen allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Blues loss in Buffalo last Tuesday. Jordan Binnington started the last three games but Allen will get a shot at the Oilers on Wednesday night. The 29-year-old stopped 32 of 34 shots in a 5-2 win in his only start against the Oilers in 2019-20.
Terry left the Ducks' loss in Philadelphia in the second period and did not return. Head coach Dallas Eakins did not have an update on Terry post-game, but it seems unlikely that he will be available in New Jersey. Sam Carrick is their only reserve forward, so expect him to replace Terry.
Blackwood stopped 31 of 32 shots in the Devils' win in Arizona on Saturday. Despite posting a 1.13 GAA and .965 SV% in his last four appearances (3 starts), Blackwood has gone 1-1-1 over that span. Tonight he faces a Ducks team that played last night and has lost six of their last seven (1-4-2) road games while scoring 2.43 goals per game.
Mrazek allowed one goal on 26 shots in the Hurricanes loss in Vancouver last Thursday. James Reimer started Saturday in Calgary but look for Mrazek to face the Jets on Tuesday. He has won 3-3-2 with a 2.94 GAA, .900 SV% and one shutout on the road this season, so this isn't the best matchup for the 27-year-old.
