The Penguins have a quick one-game trip to New Jersey tonight and left Olli Maatta back in Pittsburgh because he is dealing with an illness. With Maatta out, Chad Ruhwedel will draw into the Penguins lineup vs. the Devils.
Smith left last Frida’s game vs. the Red Wings with a concussion and is expected to miss some time, starting with tomorrow’s game vs. the Maple Leafs. With Smith out, Nick Bjugstad will move up in to the top-6.
Auvutu has two goals and two assists in 23 games with the Devils this season. The 27-year-old French blueliner had one assist in five games with Albany before being called back up on Tuesday morning.
Chychrun missed last Friday’s game with an upper-body injury, but will get back in the Coyotes’ lineup tonight vs. the Stars. The rookie defenseman has one goal and five assists in 26 games sos far this season.
Brouwer left last Friday’s game with a hand injury and it will keep him out of the lineup tonight in Colorado. Brouwer is listed as day-to-day and will be replaced in the top06 by Michael Ferland.
Allen left last Thursday’s game with an undisclosed injury, but head coach Ken Hitchcock said that it was precautionary and that Allen will be available on Wednesday. Despite him being fine, Carter Hutton will get the call in net for the Blues.
Stastny missed last Thursday’s game with an upper-body injury, but was on the ice for Tuesday’s practice and will be in the lineup on Wednesday. Stastny has seven goals and 10 assists (17 points) i 34 games this season.
Elliott allowed one goal on 14 shots in the Flames’ win over the Canucks last Friday. It was an easy outing for Elliott, who has won his last two starts while stopping 38 of 41 shots (.927 SV%) in the process. His 2016-17 hasn’t been impressive, but he makes for a solid start vs. a struggling Avalanche team.
Mrazek allowed three goals on 15 shots after replacing Jimmy Howard in the Red Wings’ loss in Tampa Bay last Tuesday. Jared Coreau started the final game before the break, but it will be Mrazek when they take on the Sabres tonight. The 24-year-old has gone 3-2-1 with a 3.42 GAA and .885 SV% in five December starts.
Holtby stopped all 23 shots that he faced in the Capitals’ shutout win over the Lightning on Friday. Holtby has gone 5-2-2 with a 1.64 GAA and .943 SV% in December tonight he will make his fourth start of the season vs. the Islanders. Holtby is 2-1-0 with a 2.04 GAA and .923 SV% in the first three.
Jones allowed two goals on 18 shots in the Sharks’ win over the Oilers last Friday. Jones has won five of his last six starts while posting a .916 SV%, so he’s now tied for second in the NHL with 18 wins—three behind Sergei Bobrovsky for first. He has gone 1-2-0 with a 2.36 GA and .910 SV% in his first three starts against the Ducks this season.
Hutton allowed three goals on 35 shots in the Blues’ loss to the Oilers on December 19th. Jake Allen was banged up before the Christmas break and despite Ken Hitchcock saying he is fine, Hutton will start tonight vs. the Flyers. The 31-year-old has gone 2-1-2 with a 2.35 GAA and .916 SV% in five starts on home-ice this season.
Parise missed the last two gams with strep throat, but will play tonight in Nashville. Parise has had a surprisingly poor first three months, collecting just five goals and eight assists (13 points) in 24 games. He will be back on a line with Eric Staal and Charlie Coyle vs. the Predators.
Gibson surrendered two goals on 18 shots in the Ducks’ loss in Ottawa last Thursday. It has been an up and down month for Gibson, who has gone 4-2-2 with a 2.84 GAA and .897 SV% in eight December appearances. Gibson allowed one goal on 25 shots in a 2-1 OT loss in his first appearance against the Sharks this season.
Rinne allowed four goals on 26 shots in the Predators loss to the Kings last Thursday. Rinne has just two wins in his last six starts and sits at 3-4-1 with a 3.57 GAA and .867 SV% in the month of December. The 34-year-old has allowed three goals on 17 shots in a loss to the Wild two weeks ago.
Dubnyk gave up two goals on 34 shots in the Wild’s win in Montreal last Thursday. Dubnyk has won eight straight starts and is 8-0-1 with a 1.41 GAA and .951 SV% in December. Dubnyk has already faced the Predators once this season—in that game he allowed two goals on 36 shots in a 5-2 win.
Condon allowed one goal on 24 shots in the Senators’ win over the Ducks last Thursday. Condon has recorded four consecutive wins while posting a 1.85 GAA and .933 SV%. Condon has played very well with Craig Anderson not available comes into Tuesday’s matchup at 4-2-0 with a 2.68 GAA and .906 SV% on the road this season.
Smith allowed four goals on 32 shots in the Coyotes’ loss to Toronto on Friday. Smith has now lost four in a row while allowing a combined 13 goals on 109 shots (.881 SV%). Smith is playing well, but the Coytes are giving up far too many shots and scoring chances. He starts vs. the Stars tonight and comes in at 4-5-2 on home ice this season.
Elliott allowed one goal on 14 shots in the Flames’ win over the Canucks last Friday. It was an easy outing for Elliott, who has won his last two starts while stopping 38 of 41 shots (.927 SV%) in the process. His 2016-17 hasn’t been impressive, but he makes for a solid start vs. a struggling Avalanche team.
Pickard made 38 saves on 39 shots in Colorado’s OT win in Chicago last Friday. Pickard snapped a personal four-game losing streak and was his sixthhof the season. Tonight he faces the Flames on home-ice, where he is 1-4-1 with a 2.93 GAA an .896 SV% so far this season.
