Klinkhammer has been sidelined with a lower-body injury since October 27th, but could return to the lineup tonight vs. the Rangers. Klinkhammer has just one goal and a minus-3 rating in seven games this season.
Jagr missed Monday’s practice with an illness and that will keep him out of the lineup tonight vs. the Islanders. With Jagr out, the Panthers have recalled Rocco Grimaldi and he is expected to be in the lineup tonight. Consider Jagr as day-to-day.
In Vasilevskiy’s last start, he was pulled after allowing two goals on 10 shots. He is 2-4-0 with a 2.76 GAA and .910 SV%w with the Lightning this season, but recently returned from the AHL where he went 0-1-1 with a 3.47 GAA and .892 SV% in two starts. He has struggled this year, but draws a nice matchup tonight in Toronto.
Kassian who has not played yet this season after being entered into the Substance Abuse program in the preseason has been placed on waivers for purpose of assignment to the AHL. The former 1st round pick has not lived up to expectations, but a team in need of a big body, that believes in second chances, could elect to take a flier on Kassian.
Stoll was in his first season with the Rangers and led the team with 57.9% face-off percentage but had just one goal and two assists in 29 games this season. He will provide the Wild with some bottom-6 depth and face-off prowess.
Nilsson gave up five goals on 36 shots in the Oilers win over the Rangers last Friday. It wasn’t pretty, but the Oilers offence did just enough to get him the W. Cam Talbot started last night, so Nilsson will go tonight in New York. He comes in riding a five-game winning streak while posting a 2.52 GAA and .927 SV%.
Hammond has not played since November 12th because of a concussion. That night he stopped 33 of 35 in a 3-2 win over the Canucks. He has gone 2-0-2 with a 2.42 GAA and .930 SV% in four starts with the Senators this season. Hammond’s return to the crease will come with a very difficult matchup when he takes on the Capitals in Washington.
Crawford stopped all 30 shots that he faced in the Blackhawks shutout win over the Canucks on Sunday. Crawford has posted back-to-back shutouts and has won four straight games while posting a 0.50 GAA and .984 SV%. Tonight he will take on an Avalanche who have been playing well as of late—Colorado has won five of their last seven games.
Jones gave up one goal on 29 shots in the Sharks’ 2-0 loss to the Wild on Saturday. Jones has lost five consecutive games (0-4-1) with a 2.95 GAA and .889 SV%. Tonight he will start in Montreal—Jones is still an impressive 9-3-1 with a 1.98 GAA and .930 SV% on the road this season and will face a Canadiens team that has lost four of five.
Luongo allowed two goals on 24 shots in the Panthers loss in Boston on Saturday. Luongo has lost three straight games with a 3.06 GAA and .859 SV%. Luongo has gone 4-5-2 with a 2.34 GAA and .921 SV% on the road this season—in his first start vs. the Islanders he made 23 saves in a 3-2 shootout win.
Gelinas has shuffled in and out of the lineup this season and tonight he will come out in favour of Jon Merrill, who was a healthy scratch in the last two games. Gelinas, who is known for his offence, has just three points (1G / 2A) in 19 games this season.
Merrill was a healthy scratch in the last two games, but will replace Eric Gelinas in the lineup tonight in Buffalo. Merrill has no points and a minus-5 rating in 23 games this season.
Henrique has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, but will be back in the lineup tonight in Buffalo. Henrique has 13 goals and 10 assists (23 points) in 28 games and should be activated in all formats tonight vs. the Sabres.
Schneider was pulled after allowing three goals on 18 shots in the Devils loss in Brooklyn on Sunday. Schneider has gone 2-2-2 with a 2.65 GAA and .912 SV% in six December starts. He’ll face a Sabres team that has won two in row, but Schneider is already 1-0 against them this season.
Hellebuyck allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Jets’ 2-0 loss in Chicago last Friday. It was the first time he started on back-to-back nights and it was the first time he’s lost in his five-game NHL career. He will start his sixth game tonight and fourth at home, he has gone 3-0-0 with a 1.95 GAA and .940 SV% in his first three starts at MTS Centre.
Grimaldi has one goal in 10 games with the Panthers this season. During his time in Portland, he has collected nine points (4G / 5A) in 13 games. He is expected to be in the lineup on Tuesday because Jaromir Jagr is out with an illness.
Kassian has not appeared in a game with the Canadiens this season after being in a car accident and being admitted into the Substance Abuse program in the preseason.
Lupul has missed the last five games with a lower-body injury, but will be back in the lineup for Brad Boyes tonight v.s Tampa Bay. Lupul will start on the third line, but could move up into the top-6 if he plays well. He has eight goals and three assists (11 points) in 23 games this season.
Bolland has not recorded a point in eight games since getting back in the lineup on December 1st and only has five points (1G / 4A) in 25 games this season. He will head to Portland to rediscover his game.
Skjei, 21, was a first round pick (28th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 206 lbs. defenseman will make his NHL debut with veteran Dan Boyle as he D-partner. In his first full season with Hartford (AHL) he has collected 11 points (2G / 9A) in 27 games, which leads all Wolf Pack defensemen.
