Stempniak missed the last two games because of the birth of his twin daughters, but he will return tonight in Minnesota. Stempniak has eight goals and 15 assists with a minus-21 rating in 51 games.
Scandella has missed the last three games after suffering a knee injury on February 4. Scandella will join Mikko Koivu as Wild regulars returning to the lineup tonight vs. the Flames. He has three goals and 13 assists (16 points) with a plus-10 rating in in 55 games this season.
"[I'm] very excited. It's been a long wait. Little nervous," said Koivu about returning tonight after missing 17 games with a broken ankle. Koivu will make his return on the second line with Charlie Coyle and Dany Heatley on his wings. Koivu has eight goals and 27 assists (35 points) in 44 games this season. His return helps solidify the Wild's front-end.
Brodeur stopped 18 of 19 shots in a 6-1 stomping of the Islanders on Saturday. Cory Schneider was lit up on Sunday, so the Devils will turn to Brodeur, in what could be his last start with New Jersey. He has a good matchup as he goes up against a shorthanded Red Wings squad.
Bobrovsky allowed three goals on 20 shots in a 6-3 win over the Panthers on Saturday. It was a good bounce-back performance after a disappointing loss to the Devils on Thursday. Tonight, he gets the nod between the pipes in Toronto. Bob is 2-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA and .953 SV% against the Maple Leafs this season.
Hossa left Saturday's outdoor game against the Penguins after playing just 4:18 and did not return. There is no word on the nature of Hossa's upper-body injury, but it will cost him the next couple of weeks. The Blackhawks will likely recall a forward in the next few days.
The Flames will get Brian McGrattan back in the lineup tonight, but expect Mikael Backlund to move to the top-line to replace Stajan.
Lehtonen allowed four goals on 21 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Lightning on Saturday. Despite outshooting Tampa Bay 41-21, the Stars were unable to get two points. Lehtonen will look to bounce back tonight as he draws a great matchup vs. the Sabres. Lehtonen is 1-1-0 with a 2.56 GAA and .902 SV% since getting back from Sochi.
Dillon missed Saturday's game with a lower-body injury and was skating with the injured Stephane Robidas at the Stars' morning skate, which suggests he will not play tonight vs. Buffalo.
Rinne won both of his starts with Milwaukee (AHL) while posting a 0.99 GAA and .943 SV%, however he only faced 35 shots in two games. Rinne could make his return to the Preds cage on Tuesday vs. the Penguins.
Jaskin had one assist and a plus-1 rating in three games during his most recent. That gives him two points (1G / 1A) in nine games with the Blues this season.
Heeter's return to the AHL suggests that Ray Emery must be feeling better and ready to resume his role as Steve Mason's backup.
Sobotka has missed the last seven games with a lower-body injury. Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock says he hopes that Sobotka will only miss four or five more games. Expect him back next week, likely Tuesday vs. Dallas or Thursday against the Oilers.
The Panthers, who acquired Pirri on Sunday, are expected to move some veterans out of town by Wednesday's trade deadline, so Pirri will likely become a permanent fixture in their top-6/9 for the remainder of the season.
Bollig will make an average of $1.25 millions US per year. Bollig has been a big part of Chicago's fourth line this year. He has dressed for all 62 games this season, scoring six goals, with six assists, a plus-2 rating and 69 PIMs. His fourth-line role has limited him to 10:05 TOI per game, but that is an effective 10 minutes that evidently the Blackhawks want to keep around through the 2016-17 season.
Pirri, 22, has tallied 11 points (6G / 5A) in 28 games with the Blackhawks this season. He has also registered 24 points (10G / 14A) in 25 games with Rockford (AHL). The Toronto, Ontario, native was originally selected by the Blackhawks in the second round, 59th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Semin took warmups on Saturday, but left the ice early and ended up getting scratched. If he makes it through tonight's warmups, he is expected to play vs. the Ducks. Semin has five goals and three assists with a plus-7 rating in his last 10 games.
Ward gave up three goals on 18 shots in a loss to the Sabres in his first start following the Olympic break. It has been somewhat of a lost season for Ward to this point, but he carries some fantasy value down the stretch. Tonight's matchup is an ugly| one as he gets set to take on the Ducks who are one of the NHL's best home teams.
Andersen allowed four goals on 33 shots in a loss to the Blue Jackets on Feb. 3. He has won three of his last four starts while posting a 2.50 GAA and .923 SV%. He enters play tonight 7-1-0 on home ice as he gets set to take on an inconsistent Hurricanes squad who rank 22nd in scoring (2.45 G/PG).
Rask allowed four goals on 31 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Capitals yesterday. He will draw both starts of the back-to-back set as faces Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers who are also playing in the tail-end of the back-to-back. Rask is 2-0-0 with a 1.50 GAA and .952 SV% against New York this season.
