Thompson has not appeared in a game this season, but went to San Diego on a conditioning stint after being cleared to return from an Achilles injury. Thompson registered one assist in three AHL games and could make his season debut on Tuesday.
Silfverberg missed the final three games before the All-Star break, but he was back on a line with Ryan Kesler and Andrew Cogliano this morning, which suggests he’ll be back in versus the Avalanche on Tuesday. Silfverberg is on-pace for a career-year having scored 13 goals with 16 assists (29 points) in 48 games so far this season.
Nesterov was acquired in a trade from Tampa Bay last week and will draw into the lineup versus the Sabres tomorrow. The 23-year-old blueliner registered 12 points (3G / 9A) in 35 games with the Lightning and has 28 points (9G / 19A) across 119 career NHL games.
Markov has been sidelined by a lower-body injury since December 17th, but appears ready-to-go on Tuesday. Markov had a really nice two and a half months to open the season, collecting two goals and 19 assists (21 points) across 31 games. Look for the veteran to skate with Nikita Nesterov, who was acquired from Tampa Bay last week.
Desharnais has missed the last 24 games with a knee injury that he suffered in the early part of December. Desharnais is expected to centre Andrew Shaw and Sven Andrighetto tomorrow and comes into play with nine points (3G / 6A) in 25 games this season.
Faksa missed the Stars’ final two games before the All-Star break, but his availability for Monday’s practice suggests that he might be in the lineup when the Stars take on the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Monitor his status during tomorrow’s morning skate.
Price allowed three gaols on 42 shots in the Canadiens’ loss to the Islanders last Thursday. Price has lost four of his last five starts despite posting a 2.41 GAA and .924 SV%. Price hasn’t had a memorable month of January, but will look to turn things around after the All-Star break. He makes for a great start tonight vs. the Sabres.
Reimer allowed one goal on 32 shots in the Panthers’ win over the Lightning last Thursday. Reimer earned another start tonight according to head coach Tom Rowe. Reimer is 3-1-1 with a 2.54 GAA and .920 SV% in five games in January and will take on a Senators team that has won four of their last six games.
Rielly missed the final five games before the All-Star break, but was on the ice for today’s practice and should be in the lineup tomorrow. Rielly didn’t confirm that he will play, so monitor his status during tomorrow’s morning skate, but all signs are pointing towards the Maple Leafs getting their No.1 defenseman back.
Dotchin, 22, was one of many “paper moves” around the NHL over the All-Star break to save teams money. Dotchin has no points in three games with the Lightning, but played a career-high 17:20 TOI in his last game and should continue to see big minutes with the Lightning.
Helgeson, 26, has no points in five games with New Jersey, but has scored two goals with four assists (six points) in 31 games with Albany.
Santini, 21, has two goals and three assists in 13 games with the Devils this season. He was sent to Albany during the All-Star break, but returns after a strong showing before the break. The former second round pick hasn’t recorded a point in 15 games with Albany.
Stollery, 29, has three assists in eight games with the Devils and was sent down during the All-Star break and returns with the break wrapping up. Stollery has nine assists in 33 games with Albany.
Kuemper allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Wild’s loss to the Predators on January 22nd. Kuemper has won three of his last five starts while allowing a combined 16 goals on 168 shots (.905 SV%). Kuemper hasn’t been great this season, but he’s playing behind one of the best teams in the NHL, making him a decent spot-start option when he gets the nod.
Niemi allowed six goals on 28 shots in the Stars win in New York on December 17th. You don’t see a goalie give up six goals and win very often, but it’s exactly what Niemi did to earn his 10th win of the season. Of those 10 wins, eight of them have come on home-ice, where the 33-year-old has posted a 2.36 GAA and .925 SV%.
Condon stopped all 31 shots that he faced in a shutout win over the Capitals on Tuesday. Not a bad way to follow up a seven-goal against performance on Sunday. Condon has now won four of his las five starts and has posted a .918 SV% with two shutouts in that stretch. He isn’t the best option, but you can do worse as he faces a struggling Flames team.
Budaj allowed one goal on 25 shots in the Kings’ win in New Jersey on Tuesday. The win snapped a three-game losing skid for Budaj, who is tied for eighth in the NHL with 21 wins on the year. Budaj has filled in admirably for Jonathan Quick and heads to Carolina with a 7-9-2 record despite posting a 1.89 GAA and .931 SV% in 21 road games.
