Niemi stopped all 22 shots that he faced in the Stars shutout win over the Sabres on Saturday. Niemi has won each of his last two starts while stopping 46 of 47 shots (.979 SV%). Niemi’s had an inconsistent season so far, but it has resulted in an 8-3-0 record, 2.41 GAA and .917 SV%. Tonight he will face a Senators team that has gone 5-1-3 while averaging 2.89 goals per game in November.
Smith-Pelly missed Sunday’s game with a lower-body injury, but he is expected to play on the top line in Wednesday’s game. Smith-Pelly is a big body, who has one goal and five assists in 21 games this season. This definitely bumps DSP’s fantasy value, but there is no saying how long he will play on the top line.
Emelin was on the ice for the Canadiens’ practice on Tuesday, but he skated as an extra, which suggests that he will not play on Wednesday. Monitor Emelin’s status during Wednesday’s morning skate, but he is listed as doubtful as of now.
Gallagher underwent surgery to repair two broken fingers and will miss at least six weeks. This is a huge loss for the Canadiens—Gallagher has 19 points (9G / 10A) in 22 games this season. Originally he is expected to be replace by Devante Smith-Pelly on the top line and by Alex Galchenyuk on the top power-play. The earliest he is expected to be back is the first or second week of January.
Bulmer averaged just 6:43 TOI in three games with the Wild during his call-up. He swaps places with Kurtis Gabriel, who will likely play on Wednesday.
Gabriel failed to record an point in his NHL debut on November 10th. He played just 2:51 so the Wild didn’t give him much of a chance. In his time in Iowa, he has just one goal and one assist in 15 games.
Gagner hit his face off of the ice after being hit by Brad Malone and left the game and did not come back. Gagner played just 1:54 before retiring to the dressing room. If he is unavailable for Wednesday’s game, expect Vinny Lecavalier to play.
Montoya was hit in the head by Nick Shore who charged the net in an effort to score a goal. Coach Gerrard Gallant said “he was pretty sore, obviously couldn’t come back.” Roberto Luongo replaced Montoya and he should start on Friday.
Lindholm missed Saturday’s game in Tampa Bay, but his availability for Monday’s practice means there is a chance that he plays Tuesday vs. the Flames. Monitor during Tuesday’s morning skate.
Rask stopped all 22 shots in the Bruins’ 2-0 shutout win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday. It was a nice way to bounce back after giving up five in his previous outing. After posting a shutout, it is not surprising to see Rask start again tonight in Toronto. Rask has gone 3-4-0 with a 2.61 GAA and .905 SV% in November, but makes for a strong start vs. the Leafs.
Rinne gave up four goals on 27 shots in the Predators loss in Minnesota on Saturday. Rinne has lost his last two games while allowing a combined seven goals on 44 shots (.841 SV%). Despite his recent struggles, Rinne is expected to make his ninth consecutive start and is won’t be easy to get back on track when he takes on the Rangers on the road.
Hammond was still not on the ice on Monday as his recovery from a concussion has stalled. He remains out, which means Chris Driedger will serve as Craig Anderson’s backup.
Parise returned to practice on Saturday, but reportedly was not 100 per cent, which is why he didn’t practice on Monday. Parise is expected to miss the Wild’s three-game home-stand this week, but could be back next week.
Hutchinson stopped all seven shots that he faced after replacing an injured Ondrej Pavelec in Saturday’s win over the Coyotes. Pavelec will miss at least six weeks with a knee injury, so Hutchinson could take the No. 1 job and run with it. However, he will need to outplay prospect Connor Hellebuyck. Hutchinson is 1-3-1 with a 3.78 GAA and .867 SV% in November, but has yet to lose on home ice this year.
Varlamov has been out since November 10th with a groin injury, but will return to the crease tonight. After posting a 3.26 GAA and .890 SV% in his first 10 games, he had fallen behind Reto Berra, but Berra has struggled in his last three games, so Varlamov could reclaim his job as the Avs’ No. 1 goalie with a couple of strong outings.
Ramo stopped 18 of 19 shots in the Flames win over the Blackhawks last Friday. Ramo has won three of his last four while posting a 1.99 GAA and .930 SV%. Overall he has a 3.04 GAA and .901 SV% on the year, but that has translated into a 6-7-0 record. On Tuesday he will take on a Ducks team that continues to struggle, having lost five of their last seven.
Langhamer was an emergancy call-up to serve as Anders Lindback’s backup on the weekend, but with Mike Smith still out, they’ve recalled Louis Domingue, who is a more NHL-ready goalie, to replace Langhamer.
Domingue, 23, has posted a 5-3-1 record, 2.43 GAA and .918 SV% in nine games with Springfield this season. With Mike Smith nursing a lower-body injury, Domingue has been recalled to serve as their No. 2 until Smith is healthy.
Quick was pulled after allowing four goals on 21 shots in the Kings loss in Carolina on Sunday afternoon. Despite struggling yesterday, Quick will go again tonight in Florida. Quick has gone 2-4-0 with a 3.00 GAA and .888 SV% in seven starts this month. One of his wins came against the Panthers, who he will face tonight.
