Giroux, who missed Saturday’s game with a leg laceration, is not on the ice this morning after missing Monday’s practice as well. This does not bode well for Giroux playing tonight, but expect an update after the skate.
Duclair had been on a loan to Team Canada for the World Juniors. He posted four goals and four assists in seven games en route to a gold medal. Despite a strong tournament, the Rangers are playing great right now, so there is no reason to rush Duclair’s development. He heads back to the Quebec, where he had 50 goals and 49 assists (99 points) in 59 games.
Mrazek allowed three goals on 16 shots in the Red Wings win over the Sabres on December 23rd. He served as Jimmy Howard’s backup for the last five games, but returns to the crease tonight in the second half of a back-to-back. He faces a Flames team who have won four of five—Mrazek is 3-1-0 with a 2.70 GAA and .916 SV% on the road.
Howard surrendered two goals on 22 shots in the Red Wings’ 4-1 loss to the Canucks on Saturday. It was tight game throughout, but two empty netters made it look closer than it was. He has alternated wins and losses in his last five and that is likely to continue as he gets the nod vs. the Oilers.
Elliott allowed two goals on 20 shots in the Blues win over the Sharks on Saturday. After making 44 saves in his first game back, he was less busy on Saturday. He draws a great matchup tonight in Arizona—despite posting a 2.22 GAA and .918 SV% on the road, he is just 4-3-1.
Pastrnak has 27 points (10G / 17A) in 24 games with Providence this season. He had been representing the Czech Republic at the World Juniors since Boxing Day and he recorded one goal and six assists in five games at the tournament.
Morin, 30, had no points in five games with the Stars. He will report to Texas where he has 24 points (10G / 14A) in 23 games and 112 points (42G / 70A) in 89 games over the last year and a half. Despite tremendous AHL success, he has not been able to translate it to the NHL—he has just one assist in 12 career games.
Salomaki, 21, did not get into a game during his recall. He heads back to the AHL where he has 16 points (5G / 11A) in 29 games this season. His return to the AHL suggests that either James Neal (lower-body) or Taylor Beck/Matt Cullen (IR) will return on Tuesday.
Varlamov gave up four goals on 27 shots in Sunday’s 4-3 loss to Columbus. Since returning from a groin injury, he has won three of five with a 2.14 GAA and .919 SV%. Despite the recent success, he draws a terrible matchup tonight vs. the 26-11-2 Blackhawks. He is 2-4-4 with a 3.63 GAA and .890 SV% on the road.
Panthers’ backup goaltender flew back to Florida to be with his wife for the birth of their child, so Brittain will join the team for practice in Vancouver. Montoya is expected to join the team before Thursday’s game, but if he doesn’t, Brittain will backup Roberto Luongo.
Gudas will have an arthoscopic procedure performed on Tuesday and an exact timeline for Gudas’ return will be determined after surgery. Gudas was injured on December 29th vs. the Maple Leafs when he fell awkwardly into the boards. With Gudas out, Nikita Nesterov will stay with the club for the time being.
Williams who has just one goal in his last nine games was skating on the fourth line in practice this afternoon. Dwight King swapped spots with him and skated on the top line with Anze Kopitar and Marian Gaborik.
Burrows was skating with Daniel and Henrik Sedin at Canucks’ practice this afternoon. It looks more like a move to have Radim Vrbata jump-start the second line, but either way, Burrows gets a chance to play with the Sedin’s again. Burrows has three goals and three assists in his last eight games.
Niemi was pulled after he gave up six goals on 27 shots in the Sharks 7-2 loss to the Blues on Saturday. Despite the brutal outing, it looks like San Jose will go back with Niemi tonight in Winnipeg. He has lost three of four with a 3.23 GAA and .897 SV%. Niemi has gone 8-5-2 in 15 starts on the road this season.
Myers has missed the last seven games with a lower-body injury but will get back into the lineup on Tuesday vs. New Jersey. "He's an anchor back there,” head coach Ted Nolan said after practice today. This is a big boost for the Sabres blue line—he will be paired with Josh Gorges.
Smid participated in his first practice since getting hurt on Monday and he will likely skate on Tuesday and Wednesday as well, but he is unlikely to play on vs. Detroit. Look for him to return later in the week on either Friday or Saturday.
Ramo was pulled after allowing four goals on 13 shots in the Flames loss to the Rangers on December 16th. Jonas Hiller has started the last seven games, but Ramo will be back between the pipes tonight vs. Detroit. Ramo is 4-3-1 with a 3.05 GAA and .889 SV% at the Scotiabank Saddledome this year.
Enroth allowed two goals on 30 shots after replacing Michal Neuvirth in the Sabres 6-1 loss to the Rangers on Saturday. Including Saturday, Enroth has one win with a 3.66 GAA and .889 SV% in his last last four games, but draws a strong matchup tonight in New Jersey.
Scott has served his four game suspension and can be in the lineup tonight vs. the Jets. He has one goal, one assist and minus-2 rating and 24 PIMS in 15 games this season.
Hamilton, 23, has 21 points (6G / 15A) in 32 games with Worcester this season. He failed to record a point in 11 games with the Sharks last season. He has been recalled because Joe Thornton is on injured reserve, but there is no word if he will make it to Winnipeg for tonight’s game.
