Smith allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Flames loss to the Kings last Wednesday. Smith lost his last three starts before the All-Star break despite stopping 90 of 95 shots (.947 SV%). Smith was simply fantastic in the weeks leading up to the break. He enters Tuesday at 5-0-3 with a 1.71 GAA and .947 SV% in January.
Hedman, who suffered a lower-body injury on January 11th, will travel with the team to Western Canada, which is a good sign that he’s getting closer to a return. Hedman is three weeks in to a three-to-six week timetable, so his return is expected to be on the horizon. The Lightning get back into action on Tuesday, so monitor his status during tomorrow’s morning skate and then as the week progresses.
Paajarvi was claimed off of waivers from St. Louis and will make his Ottawa debut in Carolina. Paajarvi had just four points (2G / 2A) in 44 games with the Blues before being waived. He skated with Derick Brassard and Ryan Dzingel during practice on Monday.
Anderson gave up two goals on 40 shots in the Senators loss in St. Louis last Tuesday. Anderson has lost three in a row and four of his last five while allowing a combined 16 goals on 183 shots (.913 SV%). Anderson has had a tough year and comes into Tuesday at 4-7-2 with a 2.98 GAA and .907 SV% on the road this season.
Varlamov was a full participant in Monday’s practice but won’t be available for Tuesday’s game. Varlamov will travel on their three-game road-trip and could play at some point over that stretch, but he will need to participate in at least one or two more practices before that becomes a reality.
Barrie has missed the last 13 games with a broken hand but was on the ice for Monday’s practice and is nearing a return. Barrie’s status for Tuesday’s game is uncertain but he has not officially been ruled out. Monitor his status during Tuesday’s morning skate.
Wilson missed the last four games but was on the ice in Monday’s practice and is expected to play tomorrow in Vancouver. Wilson has had a quiet season in Colorado, collecting just four goals and eight assists (12 points) in 35 games.
Compher missed the final game before the All-Star break with an illness but was back at practice on Monday and is expected to be in the lineup on Tuesday. Compher has picked up eight goals and seven assists (15 points) in 35 games this season.
Bernier allowed three goals on 34 shots in Colorado’s loss in St. Louis last Thursday. After a lengthy winning streak, Bernier has lost his last two starts while giving up six goals on 73 shots (.918 SV%). Bernier has been everything the Avalanche could have hoped for with Semyon Varlamov out, but Varly’s return is on the horizon, which could put an end to Bernier’s run as the Avs’ No1.
Lehtonen stopped 26 of 27 shots in the Stars win in Buffalo on January 20th. Lehtonen has won four of his last five starts (4-1-0) while allowing just 10 goals on 143 shots (.930 SV%). Lehtonen has not played a lot this season but has played well when called upon—he is 6-4-1 with a 2.16 GAA and .921 SV% on the road this season.
Bishop surrendered four goals on 29 shots in the Stars loss to the Maple Leafs last Thursday. Bishop has gone 4-3-1 with a 2.12 GAA and .927 SV% in eight January starts. Tonight he will face a Kings team that he spent the end of last season with—he comes in at 16-6-1 with a 2.06 GAA and .931 SV% at the American Airlines Center this season.
Forsberg stopped 23 of 24 shots in the Blackhawks win in Detroit last Thursday. Forsberg has been up and down this season and comes into Tuesday having gone 3-2-0 while allowing 11 goals on 146 shots (.925 SV%) in his last five games. In his first start vs. the Predators, Forsberg allowed three goals on 31 shots in a 3-2 loss in late-November.
Hutchinson, who played in the AHL All-Star game on Monday, will make his season debut on Tuesday. Hutchinson has gone 15-2-1 with a 1.95 GAA, .942 SV% and one shutout in 21 games with Manitoba (AHL) this season, making him very deserving of the All-Star bid. As good as he has been at the AHL level, he will be in tough tonight with the first placed Lightning in town.
Hutton allowed one goal on 37 shots in the Blues win over the Avalanche last Thursday. The Blues want to get Jake Allen back in the net soon, but Hutton has won four of his last five while allowing just six goals on 126 shots (.952 SV%) with one shutout. St. Louis will continue with the hot hand and he draws a great matchup with the Canadiens in town.
Kinkaid allowed three goals on seven shots before leaving the Devils’ loss in Philadelphia on January 20th. Kinkaid missed the next three games with groin injury but will return to the crease on Tuesday. Kinkaid is 5-3-2 with a 3.30 GAA and .897 SV% on the road this season.
Dubinsky has been out since December 12th but could be back as soon as Tuesday. Dubinsky skated on the Blue Jackets third line on Monday but isn’t sure if he’s quite ready to go on Tuesday. If he doesn’t play tomorrow, look for him to be back by Friday.
Bobrovsky allowed one goal on 39 shots last Thursday in Arizona. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Bobrovsky, who will be facing the Wild for the second time this season. He is 12-6-0 with a 2.07 GAA and .933 SV% on home ice and stopped 17 of 21 shots in a 5-4 OT win in the first two meetings between these two teams.
Forsberg appears to be nearing a return after missing one month with an upper-body injury. Forsberg skated with Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson at Monday’s practice, but participated in a no-contact sweater, which suggests that he might not be ready for Tuesday’s game.
Quick was moved to IR on Monday but the sense is that he could be back as soon as Thursday. Quick’s move to IR is retroactive to January 24th, so he’s ineligible to play on Tuesday but could be activated ahead of Thursday’s game in Nashville. Quick was already suspended for Tuesday's game for skipping the All-Star game, so this move may be nothing more than a formality.
Barberio missed the final game before the All-Star break and is unlikely to play on Tuesday. Andrei Mironov and David Warsofsky were both recalled on Monday, suggesting Barberio and Tyson Barrie aren’t ready for tomorrow.
