This will be Parise's second game missed this season, the last with a foot injury that hasn't healed yet. I don't know if this is related. We'll have more from coach Mike Yeo after the game hopefully. Parise has one assist and is minus-7 on the 1-6-1 road slide. Justin Fontaine will draw into the lineup.
McKenna allowed three goals on 32 shots in a loss to the Jets on December 16. He has not recorded a win in three games and has posted a 3.02 GAA and .901 SV%, He has a solid spot-start matchup against the Hurricanes tonight, but picking him up this late is unlikely.
Gudbranson has struggled to two goals and five assists with a minus-7 rating in 37 games. The Panthers have recalled Alex Petrovic from San Antonio.
Smith stopped 37 of 40 shots in a come from behind win over the Senators on Saturday. The win snapped a three game losing streak and was his 15th of the season. He has posted a 3-2-2 record with a 2.24 GAA and .926 SV% in December and has a great matchup in Buffalo tonight.
Peters stopped 47 of 50 shots in a 3-2 OT loss to the Lightning on Saturday. After the great performance on the weekend, it would be surprising to see the Hurricanes go to Cam Ward. Despite sharing the crease, Peters is 3-1-2 with a 1.64 GAA and .948 SV% in December.
Smith stopped 37 of 40 shots in a come from behind win over the Senators on Saturday. The win snapped a three game losing streak and was his 15th of the season. He has posted a 3-2-2 record with a 2.24 GAA and .926 SV% in December and has a great matchup in Buffalo tonight.
Rask stopped 34 of 35 shots in a 4-1 win over the Sabres on Saturday. He has won four of his last five starts while allowing just eight goals in that span. He takes on the Predators and their 25th ranked offence tonight - he is a must start.
Gonchar was injured in the second period of Saturday’s game against San Jose when he was hit in the jaw by a shot off the stick of Sharks defenseman Justin Braun. Gonchar left the game and did not return. Stars GM Jim Nill said the hope is that Gonchar will be back when the Stars resume play after the NHL’s holiday break. “I’d say five days,” Nill said. “Hopefully, when we come back on the 27th. We’ll see how he is.” With Gonchar out, Maxime Fortunus, signed to a one-year contract by the Stars on Wednesday, will be in the lineup for Monday’s game against the Kings.
Bernier stopped 25 of 26 shots after replacing James Reimer in Saturday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Red Wings. He was nearly able to lead the Maple Leafs back for the W after entering with a 3-1 deficit. Bernier enters play tonight with a 3-6-2 record, 2.41 GAA and .932 SV% on the road.
Garbutt missed Saturday's game with an undisclosed injury but will return to the lineup tonight with Alex Chiasson dealing with the flu. Garbutt has four goals and five assists in 28 games.
With Chiasson out, Ryan Garbutt (undisclosed) will return to the lineup. Chiasson has just two assists in his last eight games and eight goals, 11 assists and a minus-10 rating in 35 games. Consider him day-to-day.
Orr has missed the last 10 games and is expected to be activated from IR and reclaim his spot on the fourth line. He is an enforcer and nothing more, Orr has no points in 26 games. A useful player for the Leafs, but definitely not fantasy relevant.
“He’s such a great pro," said head coach Mike Yeo. "He’s done this. It’s not an easy job, a lot of guys can’t do it,” but he just wants Prosser to come in and “be effective in his game, provide a spark,” compete hard and defend hard.” Prosser said just that, that he plans to flip the switch at the opening faceoff and be tough to play against. Prosser has two assists in 14 games.
Stoner will be replaced by Nate Prosser, who has not played in the last 14 games. Stoner was injured in last night's game vs. the Rangers. With the Christmas break on the horizon the Wild will let the banged up Stoner rest.
Backstrom allowed four goals on 36 shots in a 4-1 loss to the Rangers last night. He has allowed nine goals in two starts since taking over the Wild's starting gig. He has an OK matchup vs. the Flyers tonight.
Lehtonen allowed two goals on 39 shots in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Sharks in Saturday. It was a tough-luck loss for the Finnish netminder who has had an inconsistent December. He enters play tonight 3-3-3 with a 3.23 GAA and .909 SV% this month.
Jones stopped 23 of 25 to earn his eighth straight win on Saturday. The streak continues as he moved to 8-0-0 with a 0.98 GAA and .966 SV% to start his NHL career. He will take on the Stars at home tonight, Jones has given up just three goals in four starts in L.A.
Niemi gave up four goals on 32 shots in a loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday. Niemi's rough December continues as the loss moved him to 3-4-1 with a 2.61 GAA and .902 SV% this month. He draws a tough matchup vs. the Avalanche, however his home record is pretty impressive (11-1-3).
McQuaid has missed the last nine games with a lower-body injury that he suffered on November 30. He will likely suit up on the third pair. McQuaid has on goal, two assists and a plus-7 rating in 18 games.
Jaskin was the 41st overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and is in his first season with the Chicago Wolves (AHL). In 20 games he has 17 points (9G / 8A) and is expected to play top-6 minutes tonight with Alex Steen sidelined. Jaskin, 20, played in two NHL games with the Blues last season.
