Hoffman has missed the last two games, but is expected to play Tuesday in Montreal. Hoffman skated on the third line on Monday, so look for him to start tomorrow’s game with Derick Brassard and Tom Pyatt. He has seven points (3G / 4A) in 16 games this season.
Hannikainen did not appear in a game during his call-up and will return to Cleveland because Seth Jones is returning from IR and a roster spot needed to be opened up. Hannikainen has eight points (5G / 8A) in 14 games with Cleveland.
Jones missed the last six games with hairline fracture in his foot, but is expected to return to the lineup tonight vs. Colorado. Jones has collected three goals and three assists in 10 games this season and is expected to return to his spot alongside Zach Werenski tonight.
Niemi allowed one goal on 16 shots after replacing Kari Lehtonen in the Stars’ loss to the Oilers on Saturday. Niemi hasn’t recorded a win since November 3rd and is just 3-2-2 with a 3.33 GAA and .900 SV% on the season. Tonight he faces the Wild on home ice, where he has gone 3-1-1 with a 2.17 GAA and .932 SV% this season.
Ward stopped 28 of 29 shots in the Hurricanes win over the Jets on Sunday. Ward has won his last four starts while turning aside 101 of 105 shots (.962 SV%). All of those wins came on home-ice, but tonight he will face the Maple Leafs in Toronto. The Leafs are third in the NHL in scoring (3.17 GF/PG).
Fleury allowed one goal on 33 shots in the Penguins’ shootout loss in Buffalo on Saturday. It was an excellent outing for Fleury, who appears to be making a second straight start for the first time since Matt Murray returned. Fleury is 5-1-1 with a 2.41 GAA and .930 SV% at home this season.
O’Reilly will not play on Monday vs. the Flames, but he is reportedly close to returning to the lineup and could play Wednesday vs. the Red Wings. Monitor his status during Wednesday’s morning skate.
Landeskog will not play Monday in Columbus and remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury. The Avalanche captain stayed in Denver instead of travelling with the team, but the Avalanche return home for a game vs. Edmonton on Wednesday.
Hammond cleared waivers last week and has been sent to Binghamton because the Senators are going to roll with Craig Anderson and Mike Condon as their duo in net. Hammond had a 4.50 GAA and .793 SV% in two games this season.
Condra has spent the entire year with Syracuse, registering three goals and six assists (nine points) in 13 AHL games. The Lightning are a little banged up right now, so Condra could draw into the lineup on Monday.
Lehner allowed four goals on 38 shots in the Sabres’ loss to the Lightning on Thursday. After a nice stretch of games, Lehner has now dropped his last five starts while posting a 3.15 GAA and .904 SV%. Tonight he takes on a Flames team that is on the tail-end of a back-to-back, but have won three of their last four.
Murphy has been a healthy scratch for the last four games and has only appeared in four games with the Hurricanes this season. The Hurricanes are reportedly shopping Murphy, but he’ll head to the AHL for a maximum of 14 days.
Zibanejad broke his fibula after sliding awkwardly into the boards during the Rangers’ shootout loss to the Panthers on Sunday. Zibanejad has enjoyed a great start to his Rangers career, having collected 15 points (5G / 10A) in 19 games, but that will be put on hold for at least six weeks. Expect Kevin Hayes to take on a bigger role in the Rangers’ offence with Zibanejad out.
Guentzel, 22, was a third round pick (77th overall) of the Penguins’ in 2013. The American born forward has collected 17 points (7G / 10A) in 16 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton so far this season and will likely make his NHL debut on Monday after Chris Kunitz was moved to IR.
Kunitz is battling an undisclosed injury, so he’s been moved to IR, meaning he will miss at least one week. His move to injured reserve opened up a roster spot for the Penguins to recall Jake Guentzel from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL). There is no word on the severity of Kunitz’s injury at this time.
Kinkaid allowed one goal on 26 shots in the Devils’ win in Buffalo on November 11th. Kinkaid has been great in his last two starts, winning both of them while turning aside 58 of 60 shots (.967 SV%). Tonight he will face a Sharks team that has lost three in a row while being outscored 7-4.
