Saad has missed the last two games with a right arm injury, but will draw back in tonight vs. the Blues. Saad, who has eight points (4G / 4A) in 16 games this season, will skate on a line with Artem Anisimov and John Hayden.
Allen allowed five goals on 45 shots in the Blues 5-1 loss to Minnesota on November 3rd. Chad Johnson ended up starting all three games last week, but Allen will start the first game this week. The 28-year-old has already faced the Blackhawks three times this season, going 1-0-2 with a putrid 4.34 GAA and .879 SV%.
Hagelin has recorded just three points (1G / 2A) in 16 games this season, despite playing exclusively with Evgeni Malkin. Hagelin brings a lot of speed to the Kings lineup and trading away Pearson with three years left on his deal, will open up $3.75M this offseason.
Pearson has recorded back-to-back 40-plus point seasons, but has struggled in the first 17 games of the season. Pearson has just one assist and 24 shots this season and carries a 49.1 CorsiFor%. With Hagelin going back the other way, that opens the door for Pearson to play on a line with Evgeni Malkin. Pearson is in the second year of a four-year contract that carries a $3.75M AAV cap-hit.
Haula was stretchered off of the ice in Toronto on November 6th, but his injury remains a bit of a mystery. TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported that Haula’s injury is complex and the Golden Knights won’t know the full extent of the injury until he receives second and third medical opinions. It sounds like the second-line centre will miss at least a couple of months.
Holtby allowed three goals on 21 shots in the Capitals loss to the Coyotes on Sunday. In his last six starts, Holtby has gone 1-4-1 with a 3.01 GAA and .914 SV% in his last six starts. Holtby has been great at even-strength (.923 SV%) but has struggled short-handed (.705 SV%), but that should correct itself as the season progresses.
Hellebuyck allowed two goals on 36 shots in the Jets win over the Devils on Sunday. Hellebuyck has won three of his last four starts while allowing 10 goals on 130 shots (.923 SV%). The 25-year-old is starting to play more like the Hellebuyck of 2017-18 and should be a solid start against a Capitals team on the tail-end of a back-to-back.
Budaj allowed one goal on 11 shots after replacing Jack Campbell in the Kings loss in Ottawa on October 13th. With both Campbell and Jonathan Quick each out with torn meniscus, Budaj will make his first start of the season. The last time Budaj was the Kings’ No.1 netminder, he went 27-20-3 with a 2.12 GAA, .917 SV% and seven shutouts.
Saros gets the nod for the Preds on Tuesday after Rinne lead them to a 2-1 victory over the Ducks last night. Saros has performed well in limited action, posting a 7-2-0 record on the season. He draws a difficult matchup tonight on the road against the Sharks.
Domingue allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Lightning’s win in Ottawa on November 4th. Domingue has won three of his first four starts while posting a 3.77 GAA and .885 SV%. The Lightning have provided Domingue with 3.75 GF/PG in goal-support this far, making him a candidate for a win tonight in Buffalo.
Markstrom will make his second start in as many nights after getting the nod against the Rangers on Monday. He stopped 25 of 27 shots as the Canucks fell short by a score of 2-1. He continues to be leaned on heavily by coach Travis Green despite a lackluster .900 SV% on the season. He draws a difficult matchup tonight against a high-scoring Islanders team.
Andersen allowed one goal on 39 shots in the Maple Leafs win over the Devils last Friday. Garret Sparks gave him the night off on Saturday, so Andersen will kick-off the Maple Leafs road-trip tonight in Los Angeles. The Kings are starting their third-string goalie and Andersen is 5-0-0 with a 2.20 GAA, .932 SV% and one shutout on the road.
Alzner replaced Noah Juulsen in the lineup in the last two games, but with Juulsen back in, Alzner will be scratched again.
Juulsen has been out of the lineup for the last two games, but will play in Edmonton. Juulsen will replace Karl Alzner and re-enters the lineup with three points (1G / 2A) in 13 games this season.
Varlamov allowed one goal on 27 shots in Colorado’s win in Edmonton on Sunday. The win snapped a five-game losing streak for Varlamov, who is now 5-5-2 with a 2.26 GAA and .929 SV% on the season. The Avalanche will host the Bruins tonight and Varlamov comes in at 2-2-1 with a 2.01 GAA and .936 SV% on home-ice.
Niemi allowed four goals on 38 shots in the Canadiens win over the Golden Knights on Saturday. Carey Price has struggled against the Oilers in his career, so Niemi will make his sixth appearance tonight in Edmonton. Niemi is 4-1-0 with a 3.30 GAA and .894 SV% in five starts this season.
Schenn will miss his fourth straight game on Wednesday, which means that Robert Thomas will continue to play an elevated role. Monitor Schenn’s status as he heads into the back-to-back on Friday and Saturday.
Couture was hurt late in Sunday’s win over the Flames and will be a game-time decision for Tuesday’s game vs. Nashville. Couture centred Timo Meier and Tomas Hertl in the morning skate, suggesting that he’ll be good-to-go tonight.
Jones stopped 29 of 30 shots in the Sharks win over the Flames on Sunday. Jones has won three of his last four starts despite allowing a combined 11 goals on 103 shots (.893 SV%). In his first start against the Predators, Jones recorded the ‘W’ while allowing four goals on 29 shots.
