As expected, Murray will be back in the Blue Jackets lineup after being activated from IR earlier in the day. Murray missed six games with a broken hand but should be big minutes in Montreal.
It looks like the Kings are done with Kovalchuk, who they have told he is welcome to practice with the club but will not be playing. Los Angeles will likely try to move Kovalchuk but it won't be easy to move a deal that has another year remaining with a $6.25M AAV cap-hit. A return to Russia is always in the cards for Kovalchuk as well.
Bernier allowed two goals on 19 shots in the Red Wings win over the Golden Knights on Sunday. Bernier has won two straight while stopping 43 of the 47 shots (.915 SV%) that he has faced. He will look to stay hot against a Ducks team that has lost three in a row on home-ice and will start their backup.
Dubnyk allowed three goals on 35 shots in the Wild's win in Arizona on Saturday. It was a much-needed performance for Dubnyk, who is now 3-7-1 with a 3.57 GAA and .887 SV% on the season. It's hard to trust him in any matchup right now but the Kings have lost seven of their last eight while averaging just 2.00 goals per game, so there's a glimmer of hope for Dubnyk owners tonight.
Nygard missed 13 games with a rib injury but is expected to play Tuesday in San Jose. Nygard has one goal on nine shots (11.1 SH%) in six games this season. He is expected to replace Markus Granlund in the Oilers' bottom-6.
Beagle missed Monday's practice and remains questionable for Tuesday's game vs. the Predators. Loui Eriksson will replace Beagle on the fourth line if he can't play.
Binnington allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Blues win in Calgary on Saturday. Binnington has now won five in a row and has given up just 11 goals on 162 shots (.932 SV%) over that stretch. He is proving that the second-half of 2019 was not a fluke and that he is in fact one of the best goalies in the NHL right now. He is a terrific option against a Coyotes team that played in Washington last night.
Miller allowed three goals on 37 shots in the Ducks loss to the Blackhawks on November 3rd. It was Miller's first loss of the season, moving him to 3-0-1 with a 2.30 GAA and .926 in his first four starts and one relief appearance. The Red Wings endured a terrible start to the season but have rattled off back-to-back wins over the Bruins and Golden Knights, so this might not be as good of a matchup as it looks on the surface.
Smith allowed three goals on 23 shots in the Oilers loss to the Blues last Wednesday. Mikko Koskinen started the last two games but the Oilers will come back to Smith against a Sharks team that has won three in a row. Smith has been spectacular on the road this season, going 3-2-1 with a sparkling 1.31 GAAm .957 SV% and one shutout.
Francouz allowed two goals on 41 shots in Colorado's win over the Blue Jackets on Saturday. Since taking over for the injured Philipp Grubauer, Francouz has won both of his games while stopping 59 of 65 shots (.908 SV%). He will look to keep rolling in Winnipeg against a Jets team that has gone 4-0-1 with 3.00 goals per game in their last five outings.
Dubnyk allowed three goals on 35 shots in the Wild's win in Arizona on Saturday. It was a much-needed performance for Dubnyk, who is now 3-7-1 with a 3.57 GAA and .887 SV% on the season. It's hard to trust him in any matchup right now but the Kings have lost seven of their last eight while averaging just 2.00 goals per game, so there's a glimmer of hope for Dubnyk owners tonight.
Demko allowed three goals on 34 shots in the Canucks loss in Winnipeg last Friday. Demko has played very well in his first six appearances and has earned some more playing time beside Jacob Markstrom. Demko enters Tuesday's matchup tied for second in the NHL in GAA (1.99) and tied for third in SV% (.933). It's not a great matchup but the Predators are a pedestrian 3-3-1 on the road this season.
Prokhorkin has been a healthy scratch for the last four games but will replace Adrian Kempe vs. Minnesota. Prokhorkin as no points and four shots while playing 13:51 ATOI in two games this season.
Kempe has appeared in all 17 games so far this season but has been held pointless in his last four games and played a season-low 9:21 TOI on Saturday. Nikolai Prokhorkin is expected to replace him in the lineup.
Clendening did not appear in a game during his time with the Blue Jackets and returns to the AHL to open up a roster spot to activate Ryan Murray. Clendening has seven points (2G / 5A) in 11 AHL games.
Murray missed six games with a broken hand but being activated from IR suggests that he'll be back in the lineup on Tuesday. Murray has had a tough time staying healthy but is fairly productive when healthy. He has one goal and three assists in 10 games this season. Adam Clendening has been sent back to Cleveland to make room for Murray.
Ferraro will miss his second straight game on Tuesday but head coach Pete DeBoer said he is "close to returning." With Ferraro out, Tim Heed will remain in the lineup.
Jones stopped 24 of 25 shots in the Sharks win over the Predators on Saturday. Don't look now but Jones has won three in a row while posting 2.61 GAA and .889 SV% and will make his fourth consecutive start on Tuesday. Jones is 5-3-0 with a 2.87 GAA and .900 SV% on home ice and the Oilers come in on a three-game road winning streak but are averaging just 2.70 goals per game away from home.
Quick surrendered three goals 37 shots in the Kings loss in Montreal on Saturday. Quick is in the middle of an ugly four-game losing streak, where he has allowed 17 goals on 133 shots (.872 SV%). A home matchup vs. the 23rd ranked offence could help him get back on track, but he allowed five goals on 27 shots in a 5-1 loss in his first game vs. Minnesota.
