Tough-guy Mike Brown has shifted in and out of the Sharks lineup this season, picking up one goal, two assists and 63 PIMS this season. The Canadiens have added him to give them a little extra grit in their bottom-6.
Benoit Pouliot is out long-term with a shoulder injury, so the Oilers went out and picked up another big body off of the waiver wire. The 30-year-old is 6-foot-2, 210 lbs. and has 10 points (5G / 5A) in 44 games with the Canucks this season.
Pardy has only appeared in 14 games with the Jets this season and was placed on waivers on Sunday. Pardy offers blueline depth for the Oilers, who will likely send some of their young defensemen to the AHL to get some extra conditioning before the 2016-17 season.
Hiller surrendered five goals on 33 shots in the Flames loss in Anaheim on February 21st. Joni Ortio started the last three games, but Hiller will return to the crease tonight in Philadelphia. Hiller has gone 4-3-0 with a 3.55 GAA and .893 SV% in February and 3-5-1 with a 3.24 GAA and .892 SV% on the road this season.
Niemi allowed three goals on eight shots before being pulled from the Stars’ loss to the Jets on Thursday. It hasn’t been pretty for Niemi since the All-Star break. He is 4-2-0 with a 3.84 GAA and .862 SV% in February, but tonight he takes on a team he has had a lot of success against in his career. Niemi is 13-3-2 in his career vs. the Red Wings, but they present a tough home matchup tonight.
Hiller surrendered five goals on 33 shots in the Flames loss in Anaheim on February 21st. Joni Ortio started the last three games, but it looks like Hiller will return to the crease tonight in Philadelphia. Hiller has gone 4-3-0 with a 3.55 GAA and .893 SV% in February and 3-5-1 with a 3.24 GAA and .892 SV% on the road this season.
Fleury stopped 27 of 28 shots in the Penguins win over the Jets on Saturday. Fleury has won three of his last four starts while posting a 3.00 GAA and .902 SV%. Tonight he faces the Coyotes for the second time this season—he lost the first meeting, but the Coyotes come in on a five-game losing streak, so Fleury makes for a strong option tonight.
Fast missed the Rangers’ morning skate and is listed as a game-time decision for Monday’s game vs. the Blue Jackets. Despite the addition of Eric Staal, it looks as if Fast will remain in the Rangers’ top-6 tonight if he is able to play. Monitor his status during the pre-game warmups.
Raanta allowed two goals on 37 shots in the Rangers win in Toronto on February 18th. Henrik Lundqvist has started the last four games, but Raanta will go tonight vs. the Blue Jackets. Raanta has played well when called upon this season and he comes in at 3-2-1 with a 2.12 GAA and .917 SV% on home ice this year.
Fleury stopped 27 of 28 shots in the Penguins win over the Jets on Saturday. Fleury has won three of his last four starts while posting a 3.00 GAA and .902 SV%. Tonight he faces the Coyotes for the second time this season—he lost the first meeting, but the Coyotes come in on a five-game losing streak, so Fleury makes for a strong option tonight.
Sparks has appeared in five games with the Maple Leafs this season, going 3-1-0 with a 2.58 GAA and .915 SV%. He has spent the majority of the year with the Toronto Marlies, where he has gone 13-4-3 with a 2.34 GAA and .925 SV%. With James Reimer being traded to San Jose, Sparks will get a shot and it starts tonight vs. the Lightning.
Sparks has appeared in five games with the Maple Leafs this season, going 3-1-0 with a 2.58 GAA and .915 SV%. He has spent the majority of the year with the Toronto Marlies, where he has gone 13-4-3 with a 2.34 GAA and .925 SV%. With James Reimer being traded to San Jose, Sparks will get a shot and it starts tonight vs. the Lightning.
Neuvirth allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Flyers win over the Coyotes on Saturday. Neuvirth has won two in a row while turning aside 53 of 57 shots (.930 SV%). Overall, Neuvirth is 4-1-2 with a 2.35 GAAA and .909 SV% in February and tonight he faces a Flames team that has lost four in a row and seven of their last eight.
Turris left Saturday’s game after getting rolled up on and is out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain. With Turris out, the Senators have promoted Mika Zibanejad to the top line. Turris could be done for the season.
Brossoit, 22, will get a shot with the Oilers for the rest of the season after they traded Anders Nilsson to the Blues. He has gone 15-9-3 with a 2.69 GAA, .919 SV% and three shutouts with Bakersfield (AHL) this season. He gets two more years with the Oilers before becoming a restricted free agent in 2018-19.
Davidson, 24, has picked up 10 points (4G /6A) in 47 games with the Oilers this season after picking up just one goal in his first 12 NHL games last season. Davidson was set to become a restricted free agent at the end of this season but will now be with the Oilers through the 2017-18 season.
Plotnikov has often served as a healthy scratch this season after coming over from the KHL this summer. He has two assists in 32 games this season, and could already face his former team tonight with the Coyotes in Pittsburgh.
Smith, 27, was acquired via trade from San Jose on February 27. He has split this season between the Sharks and Barracuda. The Avon, Connecticut native has skated in six games with the Sharks this season. In 14 games with the Barracuda, he has collected 10 points (eight goals, two assists). In 181 NHL games between San Jose and the Chicago Blackhawks, Smith has recorded 25 goals and 19 assists for 44 career points.
Hyman has played in 54 games for the Marlies this season, recording 13 goals and 20 assists for 33 points. The 23-year-old was named the University of Michigan’s Athlete of the Year in his senior year (2014-15) while also being named a First Team All-American and a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. Hyman, who was acquired via trade from Florida in June 2015, was drafted by the Panthers in the 5th round (123rd overall) during the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
Soshnikov has skated in 50 regular season games with the Marlies this season, registering 28 points (18 goals, 10 assists). The 22-year-old, who is tied for third with the Marlies in goals, was signed as a free agent by Toronto in March 2015.
