Braun missed Sunday’s game in Minnesota with an illness but was back on the ice for today’s morning skate and is expected to draw back in tonight vs. the Oilers. Braun has picked up two goals and 24 assists in 62 games this season.
Russell missed Sunday’s game in Anaheim and will be a game-time decision tonight in San Jose. If Russell’s hand isn’t ready for him to return then look for Yohann Auvitu to remain on the blueline.
Aberg served as a healthy scratch in his last five games in Nashville before being acquired in a three-way trade on Sunday. The speedy winger, who has collected eight points (2G / 6A) in 37 games this year, will start on the third line with Ryan Strome and Jesse Puljujarvi in his first game in Edmonton.
Talbot allowed three goals on 33 shots in the Oilers win in Los Angeles on Saturday. He was given Sunday night off, but will be back in net tonight in San Jose. Talbot enters play having won three of his last four starts while posting a 2.48 GAA and .925 SV%. In his first start vs. the Sharks, Talbot turned aside 18 of 21 shots in a 5-3 win in mid-December.
McElhinney allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Maple Leafs win in Detroit on February 18th. McElhinney has started all of the Maple Leafs back-to-back this season, so tonight will be no difference as he faces the Panthers in Florida. The 34-year-old has gone 4-3-0 with a 2.33 GAA and .930 SV% on the road.
DeSmith has spent most of the year in the AHL, but during his seven games in the NHL he has posted a 2.24 GAA and .926 SV%. With Matt Murray out with a concussion, DeSmith will get the Devils tonight. The 26-year-old has gone 16-8-1 with a 2.73 GAA and .910 SV% in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season.
Rinne stopped all 27 shots that he faced in the Predators shutout win over the Blues on Sunday. Rinne has won five of his last six starts while posting a 1.99 GAA, .943 SV% and one shutout. Tonight he will start in what could be a playoff preview—Rinne comes in at 12-5-2 with a 1.94 GAA and .941 SV% in 19 road games.
Grubauer stopped all 18 shots that he faced after replacing Braden Holtby in the Capitals loss in Columbus last night. Grubauer has been excellent in his last five appearances, stopping 120 of the last 126 shots (.952 SV%) that he has faced. He makes for an intriguing spot-start tonight vs. the Senators—he is 4-3-0 with a 1.89 GAA and .934 SV% on home ice this year.
Gillies stopped 28 of 29 shots in the Flames win over the Avalanche on Saturday. Gillies has won his last two starts, while stopping 63 of 66 shots (.955 SV%). He will look to make it three in a row tonight in Dallas—the Stars are 21-10-1 on home ice this season. So far, Gillies has a 2.54 GAA and .914 SV% in four NHL games this season.
Niemi allowed three goals on 39 shots in the Canadiens loss to the Lightning on Saturday. He was given Monday night off as Charlie Lindgren lost to the Flyers, but will be back in tonight vs. the Islanders. Since joining the Canadiens, Niemi has gone 3-2-2 with a 2.60 GAA and .922 SV% in 10 games.
Anderson was knocked out of Monday’s game vs. the Capitals on a hit from Dmitry Orlov. As of now there is no timeframe for Anderson’s return, but expect an update prior to Thursday’s game in Los Angeles.
Allen gave up four goals on 39 shots in the Blues loss in Nashville on Sunday. Allen is on a four-game losing streak, posting a 3.28 GAA and .870 SV% in the process. He’ll be in tough tonight in Minnesota—he is 1—0-1 with a 2.99 GAA and .871 SV% in two starts and one relief appearance vs. the Wild this year.
Hartman was acquired from the Blackhawks on Monday and will immediately step into the Predators lineup on Tuesday. Hartman, who has collected eight goals and 17 assists (25 points) in 57 games this season, will start on the fourth line but there’s a strong chance he moves up to at least the third line in the near future.
Allen gave up four goals on 39 shots in the Blues loss in Nashville on Sunday. Allen is on a four-game losing streak, posting a 3.28 GAA and .870 SV% in the process. He’ll be in tough tonight in Minnesota—he is 1—0-1 with a 2.99 GAA and .871 SV% in two starts and one relief appearance vs. the Wild this year.
Gillies stopped 28 of 29 shots in the Flames win over the Avalanche on Saturday. Gillies has won his last two starts, while stopping 63 of 66 shots (.955 SV%). He will look to make it three in a row tonight in Dallas—the Stars are 21-10-1 on home ice this season. So far, Gillies has a 2.54 GAA and .914 SV% in four NHL games this season.
With Kyle Okposo’s wife in labour and questionable for Wednesday, Griffith has been recalled to presumably take his spot in the lineup. Griffith had three points (2G / 1A) in 18 games with the Sabres earlier this season. During his time in Rochester, he has 13 goals and 21 assists (34 points) in 36 games.
Stastny, who was acquired from the Blues on Monday, will centre what might be the most lethal third line in hockey—he will have Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine on his flanks. Stastny has picked up 40 points (12G / 28A) in 63 games this season and should see an uptick in production on an extremely dangerous Jets squad.
Wingels was acquired from the Blackhawks on Monday and with Riley Nash replacing Patrice Bergeron on the top line, Wingels will centre David Backes and Danton Heinen. Wingels has seven goals and five assists (12 points) in 57 games this season.
Djoos has 14 points (3G / 11A), a plus-11 rating while averaging 14:10 TOI/GM in 54 games this season, but tonight he will be replaced by the recently acquired Jakub Jerabek tonight vs. the Senators.
