Matthews has missed the last 14 games with a shoulder injury but will be back tonight vs. the Sharks. With Matthews back, Frederik Gauthier will be a healthy scratch. In his first seven games, Matthews had 16 points (10G / 6A) but was held pointless in the next four games. Matthews will likely be back between Patrick Marleau and Kasperi Kapanen.
Kuznetsov has missed the last six games with a concussion but he appears to be progressing towards a return to the lineup. Kuznetsov will need to shed the non-contact jersey and become a full participant in practice before his return is imminent.
Howard was pulled after allowing three goals on 16 shots in the Red Wings 7-5 loss to the Blue Jackets on Monday. The poor performance ended a long streak of great games for Howard, who comes into Wednesday at 5-1-1 with a 2.25 GAA and .931 SV% in November. Tonight he faces a Blues team that has lost four of their last five games.
Donato was sent down at the start of November after picking up just one goal in his first 11 games of the season. Since going to Providence, the 22-year-old registered five goals and four assists (nine points) in 10 games. Donato could return to the Bruins lineup in a large role because Patrice Bergeron remains sidelined.
Fritz has one assist in four games with the Islanders and 10 points (2G / 8A) in 17 games with Bridgeport this season. Fritz heads back to the AHL with Casey Cizikas being activated from IR.
Cizikas has missed the last six games with a lower-body injury but appears ready-to-go in Boston on Thursday. With Cizikas back on the active roster, the Islanders have assigned Tanner Fritz to Bridgeport (AHL).
Dell allowed six goals on 36 shots in the Sharks loss in Vegas on Saturday. Dell started for the second night in a row after posting back-to-back shutouts in his previous two starts. Dell has outplayed Martin Jones so far this season but is 1-2-2 with a 3.54 GAA and .893 SV% on the road. A matchup with a great Maple Leafs team, who might get Auston Matthews back is not ideal for Dell owners.
Gibson allowed four goals on 32 shots in the Ducks loss in Nashville on Sunday. The loss snapped a brief two-game winning streak for Gibson, who is now 4-4-2 with a 2.70 GAA and .910 SV% in November. With Ryan Miller facing the Lightning on Tuesday, Gibson will take on a Panthers team that has lost five of their last seven games (2-4-1).
Petersen allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Kings win over the Oilers on Sunday. Petersen has performed very well for the Kings, going 3-3-0 with a 2.69 GAA, .921 SV% and one shutout in his first seven career NHL games. Tonight he faces a Canucks team that has lost eight of their last nine (1-7-1).
Rinne allowed two goals on 19 shots in the Predators victory over the Ducks on Sunday. Rinne has now won four of his last five starts while posting a 2.01 GAA and .929 SV%. In his first start against Colorado, Rinne stopped 24 of 25 shots in a 4-1 win on November 7th.
Quick has not played since October 23rd after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Quick has been activated from IR but is only expected to serve as the Kings backup on Tuesday. Look for Quick to make his return to the crease in one of the Kings’ back-to-back on Thursday/Friday.
Scandella is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, so Nathan Beaulieu will suit up against the Sharks.
