Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Lightning’s win over the Maple Leafs on Monday. Vasilevskiy has won three in a row and four of his last five starts while posting a 2.54 GAA and .922 SV%. It’s surprising that Vasilevskiy will get the front-end of the back-to-back, but he’s a must-start vs. the visiting Sabres.
Berube allowed one goal on 43 shots in the Blackhawks win over the Sharks last Friday. It was an outstanding effort from the 26-year-old, who was 7-8-0 with a 2.37 GAA and .920 SV% in 15 games with Rockford (AHL) prior to his call-up. Tonight he will face the Sharks in San Jose—they are 18-9-3 on home-ice this season.
Highmore, 22, was an undrafted free agent that signed with the Blackhawks after five seasons with the Sant John Sea Dogs (QMJHL). In his first AHL season, Highmore has scored 21 goals with 14 assists (35 points) in 56 games. He’ll get a look down the stretch.
Thorburn was a healthy scratch for the last two games but he will draw in for Patrik Berglund tonight vs. the Red Wings. Thorburn is still searching for his first goal of the season—he has just four assists and 33 PIMS in 33 games this season.
The Blues were absolutely blown out in Minnesota last night but Chris Thorburn replacing Berglund will be the only change to the lineup. Berglund has been held pointless in five games, posting a minus-6 rating in that time.
Aston-Reese was scratched from Tuesday’s lineup despite taking part in the morning skate. Aston-Reese will miss an extended period of time, but that’s not a big hit to the Penguins lineup with Tom Kuhnhackl returning last night.
Green is surprisingly still on the Red Wings roster following the trade deadline and tonight he will miss his seventh consecutive game with a neck ailment. The injury is probably what scared some teams away from Green, which is a bit surprising considering he is already nearing a return.
Varlamov allowed a single goal on 32 shots in Colorado’s win over the Canucks on Monday. Varlamov has three wins his last seven appearances with a 2.81 GAA, .920 SV% and one shutout. With Jonathan Bernier and Andrew Hammond both hurt, Varlamov will continue to carry the torch for the Avalanche. He allowed five goals on 29 shots in a 5-1 loss to the Flames over the weekend.
Hutton allowed five goals on 25 shots after replacing Jake Allen in the Blues blowout loss in Minnesota last night. In his last three appearances, Hutton has surrendered 12 goals on 81 shots (.852 SV%) and the Blues come into Wednesday on a seven-game losing streak. Despite the rough stretch, Hutton has a solid matchup with Detroit in town—he is 9-5-0 with a 1.89 GAA and .937 SV% on home ice.
Howard allowed two goals on 38 shots in the Red Wings overtime win in New York on Sunday. Howard won both games of the Red Wings’ back-to-back over the weekend and continued his hot streak vs. the Rangers. Howard was pulled in his first start vs. the Blues, but St. Louis is struggling mightily right now and come in on the tail-end of back-to-back.
Okposo missed Tuesday’s practice to be with his wife and will be replaced by Seth Griffith tonight in Tampa Bay. Okposo will be back in the lineup on Friday.
Reimer allowed seven goals on 34 shots in the Panthers loss in Winnipeg on February 18th. Roberto Luongo started the last five games but Reimer will start the tail-end of the back-to-back tonight vs. the Sabres. Since returning to the Panthers crease, Reimer has gone 2-1-0 with a 5.01 GAA and .854 SV% in three starts. Despite some recent struggles, Reimer does have an intriguing matchup tonight.
Luongo allowed two goals on 39 shots in the Panthers overtime win over the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Luongo has been outstanding, winning three in a row and four of his last five with a 2.58 GAA and .926 SV%. In his first start against the Devils, Luongo stopped 23 of 25 shots in a 3-2 win in late-November.
Johnson allowed one goal on 35 shots in the Sabres win over the Bruins on Sunday. It was another strong performance from Johnson, who has gone 3-1-0 while posting a 1.88 GAA and .937 SV%. One of those wins came against the Lightning, who he’ll face again tonight—he stopped 26 of 29 shots in a 5-3 win on February 13th.
McDonagh was acquired in a blockbuster trade on Monday, but has been sidelined since February 7th and will miss at least the next three games. Monitor his status heading into next Tuesday’s game vs. the Panthers.
Miller was acquired from the Rangers in a blockbuster trade on Monday and will make his Tampa Bay debut tonight vs. Buffalo. Miller, who has 40 points (13G / 27A) in 63 games this season, will start on a line with Tyler Johnson and Chris Kunitz.
Johnson was banged up late in the Lightning shootout win over the Maple Leafs on Monday. Johnson took part in the morning skate and was on a line with J.T. Miller and Chris Kunitz and is expected to be in tonight. Johnson has two goals and one assist during a three-game point streak.
Kucherov was hurt in Monday’s game vs. the Maple Leafs and is unlikely to play tonight. Kucherov did not take part in the morning skate and head coach Jon Cooper said that Kucherov is “up in the air but leaning toward doubtful.” Expect the newly acquired J.T. Miller to replace Kucherov in the lineup.
Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Lightning’s win over the Maple Leafs on Monday. Vasilevskiy has won three in a row and four of his last five starts while posting a 2.54 GAA and .922 SV%. It’s surprising that Vasilevskiy will get the front-end of the back-to-back, but he’s a must-start vs. the visiting Sabres.
