Gaunce averaged 13:50 TOI per game in nine contests with the Stars this season. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound defenseman returns to Texas having skated in 28 games for the club, posting seven points (1G / 6A) and 25 penalty minutes this season.
Niemi gave up three goals on 28 shots in his third loss in his last four starts on Tuesday vs. Nashville. Tonight, he would take on the Red Wings for the second time this season, in the first meeting he stopped all 24 shots that he faced in a 1-0 shootout win.
This is surprising after a great start from Darcy Kuemper on Tuesday, Backstrom will start tonight in Phoenix. In his last start he allowed three goals on 30 shots in a 5-3 win over the Capitals. In his first stat vs. the Coyotes he allowed two goals on 25 shots in a 3-1 loss.
Blum will make his Wild debut tonight vs. the Coyotes. Blum spent his entire career with the Predators organization, he has played three NHL season totalling 22 points (7G / 15A) in 91 games. In Iowa (AHL) this season he has four goals and 13 assists in 31 games.
Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau is trying to rest his team leading up to the Olympic break and also does not want one player sitting for too long. It is definitely frustrating for fantasy owners, because it can be difficult to keep up with. I don't believe this healthy scratch is performance related seeing as how Silfverberg has recorded four assists in his last five games.
Wingels has missed the last five games with a leg injury that he suffered on December 29. He was on the ice at the Sharks morning skate alongside Patrick Marleau and Matthew Nieto which suggests he is back in tonight vs. the Red Wings. Wingels has 22 points (9G / 13A) in 39 games.
Quick only allowed one goal on 17 shots in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Wild on Tuesday. Quick was not busy, but Darcy Kuemper was excellent at the other end of the ice. Quick has stopped 43 of 45 shots (.956 SV%) since retiring from his groin injury. Tonight he would face the Bruins at home, he is 8-3-1 with a 2.14 GAA and .907 SV% at the Staples Center this season.
Oshie is on the ice for the Blues' morning skate and is skating on his regular line, which suggests he will play tonight. Oshie's status was in question after a collision with Taylor Hall on Tuesday was causing some discomfort in his knee. Oshie has 37 points (8G / 29A) in 42 games this season.
Despite a great start from Darcy Kuemper on Tuesday, Backstrom appears to be starting tonight in Phoenix. In his last start he allowed three goals on 30 shots in a 5-3 win over the Capitals. Tonight he would take on the Coyotes who scored beat Backstrom 3-1 (stopped 23/25) in late November.
Mazanec stopped 26 of 28 shots in a win over the Sharks on Tuesday. It was a big win over a difficult opponent, it was also Mazanec's eighth victory of the season. Tonight he will have another very difficult matchup with the Ducks in town. Mazanec owns a 5-5-1 home record with a 2.91 GAA and .890 SV%.
Andersen allowed three goals on 23 shots in a loss to the Sharks on December 29. He has become a traditional back-up lately with Jonas Hiller absolutely sizzling right now. With the Ducks heading into a busy weekend, Andersen will give Hiller a breather and start vs. the Predators. Andersen is 5-2-0 with a 2.30 GAA and .910 SV% on the road.
Ekman-Larsson has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury that he suffered last Thursday. OEL has been one of the better defensemen in fantasy this season, he has 22 points (4G / 18A) in 40 games and should be activated in all formats. Expect him to be paired with Derek Morris tonight and jump back onto the top power-play unit alongside Keith Yandle.
Andersen allowed three goals on 23 shots in a loss to the Sharks on December 29. He has become a traditional back-up lately with Jonas Hiller absolutely sizzling right now. With the Ducks heading into a busy weekend, Andersen is expected to give Hiller a breather vs. the Predators. Andersen is 5-2-0 with a 2.30 GAA and .910 SV% on the road.
Rask gave up five goals on 20 shots in a loss to the Ducks on Tuesday and has struggled recently, but I would be surprised if the Bruins turned to Chad Johnson vs. a tough opponent like Los Angeles.
Penner will miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury. The Ducks love to shuffle their lines on a game-to-game basis but on Tuesday Matt Beleskey was skating with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. Monitor Penner's status prior to Saturday's game in Phoenix.
Ramo surrendered three goals on 25 shots in a win over the Avalanche on Monday. It was his seventh win of the season first since December 14. He was given the night off on Tuesday, but will draw back in tonight vs. St. Louis. He has a terrifying matchup for any fantasy goalie, especially one with a 2.76 GAA and .904 SV%.
Lindback only faced 14 shots on Tuesday, he allowed two goals in the 4-2 win over the Jets. It was his first win since December 19 and just his fourth of the season. Tonight he will take on the Capitals in Tampa Bay, where he is 2-2-1 with a 2.97 GAA and .891 SV%.
Hornqvist was injured on Tuesday but skated this morning, however he will be held out of Tonight's game and is listed as day-to-day. The Predators will take on the Senators on Saturday, there is a good chance that Hornqvist will return then. Gabriel Bourque will replace Hornqvist in the lineup.
Grubauer allowed four goals on 33 shots in a loss to the Hurricanes last Thursday. After getting Saturday off, the Capitals will go back to Grubauer tonight in Tampa Bay. In his first game vs. the Lightning he allowed two goals on 34 shots in relief of Braden Holtby, the Caps won 6-5 in a shootout.
Leaving the morning skate early puts Clarkson's status for tonight's game in doubt. It appears as if he will miss his second straight game after suffering a foot injury on Saturday. With Clarkson out, Jerry D'Amigo will likely stay on the Leafs third line.
