Semyon Varlamov is not travelling on the Avs’ two-game road trip, so Will, 23, has been recalled to serve as Calvin Pickard’s backup. Will is the Rampage’s backup and he’s gone 6-5-2 with a 3.38 GAA and .895 SV% in 16 games this season.
Pickard allowed two goals on 21 shots in Colorado’s loss in Columbus on January 16th. Semyon Varlamov started the last four games, but will get the night off in San Jose. Pickard is 2-1-0 with a 2.40 GAA and .922 SV% this season and faces a Sharks team that has won seven of their last nine games.
Niemi allowed three goals on 15 shots in the Stars’ 3-1 loss to the Avalanche on Saturday. Despite the Stars badly outplaying Colorado, Semyon Varlamov outplayed Niemi. It looks like he will make his third consecutive start tonight, having gone 1-3-2 with a 3.36 GAA and .877 SV% in the month of January.
Pulkkinen is a little banged up, so he will come out of the lineup tonight to give Eric Tangradi a chance to make his Red Wings debut. Pulkkinen’s injury is not serious and he is considered day-to-day.
When Tagradi was called up, he was leading Grand Rapids (AHL) in points (31) and with Teemu Pulkkinen banged up, Tangradi will make his Red Wings debut vs. the Islanders. Despite great numbers at the AHL level, he has just 15 points (5G / 10A) in 144 career NHL games with the Penguins, Jets and Canadiens.
Rask allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Bruins loss to the Canucks on Thursday. Jonas Gustavsson started on Saturday, so it looks like they’ll go back to Rask tonight in Philadelphia. Rask has lost six of his last eight starts while posting a 2.64 GAA and .914 SV%. Tonight will be his third start against the Flyers—he is 0-1-1 with a 4.00 GAA and .862 SV% in the first two.
Subban missed the morning skate with the flu, so he is listed as a game-time decision. Subban hasn’t missed many games in his NHL career, so expect him to play vs. the Blue Jackets.
Gilbert was activated from IR and will play on Monday if P.K Subban (flu) is unable to play. Gilbert has just one assist in 36 games this season.
Girgensons missed the last four games but will return to the lineup on Monday vs. the Rangers. Girgensons, who has just three goals and five assists in 40 games this season, will skate on the second line with Jack Eichel and Matt Moulson.
Miller allowed four goals on 29 shots in the Canucks loss in Pittsburgh on Saturday. He has dropped three of his last four starts while posting a 2.68 GAA and .933 SV%. In this four starts, Miller has faced an overwhelming 41.25 shots per game, so the Canucks clearly have some issues to work out. Tonight he faces a Predators team that has won three of four.
Sutter has been sidelined since November 10th, but is expected to play on Tuesday. Sutter skated on the top line between Daniel Sedin and Jannik Hansen at Monday’s practice, so not only will he return, but he will return as the first line centre. Before getting hurt, Sutter had eight points (4G / 4A) in 16 games.
The Rangers typically rest Boyle on the tail-end of a back-to-back, which is the case tonight. Head coach Alain Vigneault said Boyle has looked tired the last few games, so he will get him an extended All-Star break rest.
McIlrath was a healthy scratch in the last three games, but will replace Dan Boyle tonight in the second game of a back-to-back. McIlrath has two goals and one assist in 20 games this season.
Lundqvist allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Rangers loss in Ottawa last night. Despite the loss and heavy workload, Lundqvist will start again tonight vs. the Sabres. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Lundqvist, who comes into play at 14-3-2 with a 2.20 GAA and .924 SV% on home ice this season.
Nash underwent examination on Tuesday and it revealed that he is dealing with a bone bruise that will keep him out of the lineup until after the All-Star break.
Ward has missed the last four games with a concussion and will miss his fifth on Tuesday. However, he skated on Monday and the Hurricanes announced that he is expected to be healthy and ready to go when the team resumes play after the All Star break.
Ramo was yanked after he allowed three goals on 19 shots in the Flames loss in Carolina last night. Despite the rough outing, the Flames will give him the chance to bounce back tonight in Dallas. The matchup and lack of rest makes him a risky start, but Ramo is surprisingly 2-0-0 with a 1.92 GAA and .938 SV% vs. the Stars this season.
Perreault will be held out of Tuesday’s game with a lower-body injury that he suffered against New Jersey on Saturday. He is listed as day-to-day, so he could be back immediately following the All-Star break.
Dubnyk allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Wild’s loss in Anaheim on Wednesday. Darcy Kuemper started the last two games (which RARELY happens), so the Wild will go back to Dubnyk tonight vs. his former team. Dubnyk won his first start vs. the Coyotes this season, but comes in at 2-5-2 with a 2.11 GAA and .927 SV% in nine starts in January.
Luongo allowed two goals on 40 shots in the Panthers win over the Lightning on Saturday. Luongo responded to a three-game losing streak with back-to-back wins and will start again tonight vs. the Maple Leafs. He has yet to face Toronto this season, but he comes in at 5-2-1 with a 1.90 GAA and .943 SV% in January.
