Wheeler missed Monday’s practice and could be out for Tuesday’s game. He is currently listed as day-to-day, but monitor his status during tomorrow’s morning skate. If Wheeler plays, Dustin Byfuglien will play defence, if Wheeler doesn’t play then Big Buff will play forward.
Darling has not started an NHL game since December 13th, but has been strong with the Blackhawks, going 5-2-0 with a 1.97 GAA and .937 SV%. In the AHL, the 26-year-old is 14-8-2 with a 2.20 GAA and .927 SV% in 26 games. He will face a Florida team who have lost five of their last seven.
Chiarot will be out until early-April after undergoing hand surgery. With Chiarot out, Jay Harrison will draw into the lineup if Dustin Byfuglien doesn’t go back to defense. The final lineup decision will come in Tuesday’s morning skate.
Shattenkirk has skated for a few days, including a 30-minute session this morning. So he is making progress, but he remains without a timetable. The Blues have gone 6-4-0 while averaging 2.60 goals per game without Shattenkirk, so they are definitely hoping for a speedy recovery. As he continues to skate, the Blues will start to get a better idea of how much longer he will be sidelined.
Allen allowed one goal on 27 shots in the Blues win over the Bruins on Friday. He has been excellent in February, going 3-0-0 with a 1.37 GAA and .946 SV% in three starts and two relief appearances. Tonight he takes on a Montreal team who have gone 3-1-2 while scoring just 2.33 goals per game over their last six.
Gibson made 26 saves on 27 shots in the Ducks 2-1 win over the Oilers on Saturday. With Frederik Andersen still not ready, the Ducks will go with Gibson tonight. Since being recalled he has gone 3-2-0 with a 3.07 GAA and .899 SV%. He would face a Red Wings team who are 4-2-1 while averaging 3.00 goals per game in February.
Dubnyk allowed two goals on 20 shots in the Wild’s 6-2 victory over the Stars on Sunday . He has won three in a row with a 1.32 GAA, .944 SV% and one shutout. Tonight will be his sixth start vs. the Oilers this season—he is 5-0-0 with a 0.79 GAA and .970 SV% in the first five.
Spurgeon will miss his third straight game with what is being speculated as a possible concussion. There was no real update on Spurgeon’s status, just that he will not play tomorrow vs. the Oilers.
Bryzgalov has had a terrible season with the Ducks, so he is expected to go to the AHL, but he may choose to not report and could retire. There is no official word as to what will happen at this time.
The Ducks recalled Jason LaBarbera this morning, which suggests that Frederik Andersen is not ready and Gibson will go tonight. He made 26 saves on 27 shots in the Ducks 2-1 win over the Oilers on Saturday. Since being recalled he has gone 3-2-0 with a 3.07 GAA and .899 SV%. He would face a Red Wings team who are 4-2-1 while averaging 3.00 goals per game in February.
LaBarbera’s recall likely means that he will be John Gibson’s backup tonight because Frederik Andersen is not quite ready to play. With Ilya Bryzgalov on waivers, LaBarbera was the next option. He is 7-10-4 with a 2.42 GAA and .917 SV% in Norfolk this season.
Despite not skating with the team this morning, Parenteau will travel with the team, which suggests that he is ready to return to practice. He will likely skate with the team during the trip but is not expected to play.
Gonchar skated in a no-contact sweater this morning and was cleared to play, but coach Therrien said that Gonchar needs to get back into game-shape before he returns to the lineup.
Reese, 30, was recalled but will not play on Monday. Reese has scored six goals with 19 assists (25 points) in 51 games with Portland this season.
Chiarot was reportedly spotted wearing a cast and sling on his arm, which suggests that he will be out for a lengthy period of time. Expect a full update in the next 24 hours.
Phaneuf was a full participant in Monday’s practice and he is hopeful that he will be able to play on Thursday. He will likely continue to test his hand leading up to Thursday and make a decision after Thursday’s morning skate.
Timonen said that he needs a few more practices before he returns to the lineup. He doesn’t anticipate playing on Tuesday or Thursday, but is hopeful that he will make his season debut on Saturday vs. the Rangers.
Smith allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Coyotes loss to the Lightning on Saturday. He has dropped his last four starts while posting a 3.31 GAA and .891 SV%. Tonight he gets the start in New Jersey. It is a solid matchup, but Smith has gone 5-13-2 with a 3.15 GAA and .902 SV% on the road.
Stajan is not expected to be in the lineup on Tuesday because he and his wife are expecting the birth of their child. He is listed as a non-roster player right now, which allowed the Flames to recall Emile Poirier from Adirondack (AHL).
Byron has missed the last two games and will likely miss a few more games after being moved to IR this afternoon. His movement to IR created a roster spot for the Flames to recall Michael Ferland from Adirondack (AHL).
