Michalek missed Saturday’s game with an illness, but he was back on the ice on Monday, which suggests that he will be in the lineup on Tuesday vs. the Predators. If Michalek returns, look for Stefan Elliott to come out of the lineup.
Miller allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Canucks shootout loss in Dallas on Friday. Miller has played well recently, going 2-0-1 with a 2.27 GAA and .920 SV%. It has been an up-and-down season for Miller, who draws a good matchup tonight vs. a Ducks team who continues to struggle scoring goals.
Braun was back at practice on Monday, but there is no word whether he will be in the lineup on Tuesday. Braun has missed the last two games with an elbow injury.
Couture is just over six weeks into his original 4-6 week timetable, so his return should be around the corner. He reportedly stayed on the ice for 30 minutes and look like he was moving well. Couture will need to participate in a number of practice sessions without limitations before he is cleared to play.
Talbot was a healthy scratch in the last two games and he has been reassigned to Providence after being replaced by Landon Ferraro, who was claimed off of waivers from Detroit.
Elliott stopped all eight shots that he faced after replacing Jake Allen in the Blues loss to the Panthers on Tuesday. Elliott has fallen behind Allen on the depth chart, but he’s played well in his limited action this season—he is 4-2-1 with a 2.59 GAA and .903 SV% in seven starts this season. He had a tough outing against the Islanders earlier in the year. He allowed three goals on 22 shots in a 3-2 loss back in October.
Allen stopped 23 of 24 shots in the Blues’ win over the Blue Jackets on Saturday. November was the best stretch of Allen’s young career—the 25-year-old started 11 games and finished with a 7-2-2 record, 2.06 GAA, .930 SV% and two shutouts. Playing behind a strong Blues team, Allen has emerged as a strong No. 1 fantasy goaltending option and can be trusted whenever he gets the call between the pipes.
Ramo allowed two goals on 21 shots in the Flames loss in Arizona last Friday. Jonas Hiller started on a Saturday and didn’t play well, so the Flames will go back to Ramo tonight vs. the Stars. Starting nearly every game last month, Ramo went 5-5-1 with a 2.63 GAA and .909 SV% in November. He has played well enough to remain the Flames’ No. 1 option, but should definitely be avoided when Dallas is in town.
Doan has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury, but he will travel with the Coyotes to Nashville for Tuesday’s game. It seems unlikely that Doan will play tomorrow, but he should play on the road trip.
Wheeler was given a maintenance day on Monday, but he is expected to play on Wednesday. Wheeler will make for a strong play against the Leafs, he is currently riding a four-game point streak—one goal and three assists over that span.
Mitchell will miss his eighth straight game tonight, but is expected to be in the lineup on Tuesday. Mitchell skated in Matt Duchene’s spot in Monday’s morning skate, but he won’t play until tomorrow.
Duchene missed the morning skate because of an illness, but is still expected to be in the lineup tonight vs. the Islanders. Duchene has been red-hot in the month of November, having recorded 11 goals and nine assists (20 points) in 13 games.
Gibson allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Ducks overtime loss to the Blackhawks on Friday. With Frederik Andersen out with the flu, Gibson will make his third straight starting tonight vs. Vancouver. Since being called-up he has gone 1-1-1 with a 2.46 GAA and .918 SV% in two starts and one relief appearance. He draws a good matchup vs. a Vancouver team that has lost six of eight.
Howard allowed three goals on 24 shots in the Red Wings overtime win over the Oilers lat Friday. Petr Mrazek started the last two games, but Howard will get back between the pipes tonight vs. the Coyotes. Howard has won three consecutive overtime games, while posting a 2.89 GAA and .890 SV%. He comes into play on Thursday with a 4-4-0 record, 2.22 GAA and .916 SV% at home.
Mrazek allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Red Wings’ 2-1 OT loss to the Panthers on Sunday. Mrazek was excellent again on Sunday, but the Red Wings lack of offence led to Mrazek’s third overtime loss in his last four starts. Despite not winning consistently, Mrazek remains a great option tonight, at home vs. the Sabres—Mrazek is 2-1-3 with a 1.76 GAA and .938 SV% at Joe Louis Arena.
Schneider allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Devils’ win in Montreal on Saturday. The win snapped a brief two-game losing streak for Schneider, who finished November with a 5-4-1 record, 1.90 GAA, .935 SV% and one shutout. Tonight he faces a Colorado team who has lost five of seven despite averaging 3.14 goals per game.
Megna will be a game-time decision for Monday’s game after being recalled earlier in the day. Megna has 12 points (5G / 7A) in 21 games with Hartford this season.
Orpik was back at practice in a limited basis on Monday and remains doubtful for Thursday’s contest. It will be the 10th consecutive game that Orpik will have missed.
Ward was pulled after he allowed three goals on 14 shots in the Hurricanes’ loss to the Sabres on Friday. Tonight Ward will close out November with his 10th start of the month—he has gone 3-3-3 with a 2.62 GAA and .893 SV% in his first nine starts in November. One of those losses came in New York on November 10th, he allowed three goals on 23 shots in a 3-0 loss.
Nillson stopped 39 of 41 shots in the Oilers win in Pittsburgh on Saturday. It was a fantastic performance from Nilsson, who continues to outperform Cam Talbot. Tonight he will wrap up November with his 10th start of the month—in his previous nine outings he has gone 4-4-1 with a 2.43 GAA and .914 SV%. He makes for a solid start tonight vs. a bad Leafs team who will give Garret Sparks his first NHL start.
