Simpson, 21, was drafted 58th overall in the 2010 NHL Draft. He is in his first full season with the Rockford IceHogs and has posted a 6-7-0 record with a 3.38 GAA and .900 SV%. He will accompany the Blackhawks on their trip to Dallas and could stay with the team for an extended period of time, depending on how serious Corey Crawford's injury turns out to be.
Crawford suffered the injury on Sunday night while making a rather harmless looking save on Marcel Goc. The injury at the time looked quite serious, but it was reported this morning that the injury is not believed to be as serious as it might have looked. Regardless the team has recalled Kent Simpson and he will serve as the team's second goalie while Crawford is on the shelf. Chicago has four games this week, but there is no word yet as to how many Crawford will miss. Monitor his status when Chicago returns home for Wednesday's game against the Flyers.
Howard allowed five goals on 33 shots in a loss to the Flyers on Thursday. Howie has seen his workload cut drastically due to some sloppy play - he has started just three of the last nine games. He draws a strong matchup and gets Pavel Datsyuk back in front of him on Tuesday in Florida.
Berra gave up a single goal on 31 shots in a 2-1 overtime win over the Oilers on Saturday. It was a great game for Berra who had allowed eight goals in his previous two outings. He is now 4-6-2 with a 3.28 GAA and .894 SV% on the season and draws a terrible matchup tomorrow vs. the Bruins.
Elliott allowed one goal on 14 shots after he replaced Jaroslav Halak after 7:29 into Saturday's contest vs. Anaheim. Tuesday will mark his fourth road start of the season - he is 1-1-1 with a 2.54 GAA and .907 SV% in the first three.
Brodeur allowed three goals on 24 shots in a win over the Rangers on Saturday. The W snapped a four game losing streak for Marty who has been streaky this season. He will go Tuesday in Columbus. In 10 road starts this season he is 5-4-1 with a 2.69 GAA and .896 SV%.
Nilsson allowed five goals on 26 shots in a loss to the Blues on Thursday. It will be the third time in the last four games that Nilsson has been given the nod instead of Kevin Poulin. He is still search for his first win as he is 0-1-2 with a 3.26 GAA and .883 SV% in his first three starts. He has yet to catch a break matchup-wise, and won't again tonight when he takes on the Ducks.
McElhinney stopped all 20 shots he faced to shutout the WIld in the Blue Jackets' 4-0 win on Friday. It was a great way to start his reign as Columbus' starter. He will be in for a tough night this evening when they travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins.
Hiller stopped 23 of 25 shots and two of three shootout attempts in a 3-2 win over the Blackhawks on Friday. He was given Saturday off, so he should be well rested to take on an Islanders team who have lost nine in a row (0-7-2). He is a must-start tonight.
Lack gave up two goals on 31 shots in a 3-2 win over the Hurricanes on December 1st. In five starts and seven appearances he is 3-2-0 with a 2.41 GAA and .911 SV%. Tonight will mark his first career start on home ice. He is a solid spot start option as he takes on the same Carolina team that he defeated eight days ago.
Ristolainen suffered a concussion after being sucker-punched in the AHL, but he will likely play for Finland in the World Juniors. The 8th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft recorded one goal in 19 games with the Sabres. He has recorded two goals and two assists in five games since being sent to Rochester (AHL).
Galiardi missed the last seven games but will play tomorrow if head coach Bob Harley inserts him into the lineup. Galiardi recorded one goal and five assists in 22 games.
Mason was yanked after he gave up four goals on 26 shots in a 5-1 loss to the Stars on Saturday. It was the first time that Mason allowed more than three goals since being acquired from Columbus. He will be in goal tonight against a Senators team who have lost four of their last five games.
The five games is the max a player can be suspended over a phone hearing. Neal will not be eligible to return until December 19 against the Minnesota Wild. Jayson Megna will skate in Neal's spot next to Evgeni Malkin tonight.
This is great news for the Flames, because the rookie has been one of their best offensive players this season. He has nine goals and 15 points in 24 games. His 15 points has him tied for second on the team in scoring and fifth amongst NHL rookies. He is likely still at least a week from returning to the Flames lineup.
Pitlick had been recovering from a knee injury that has kept him out of the lineup since October 26. He could return to the Oilers once he gets back up to speed in the AHL.
Smith recorded one assist in 11 games with the Flames and will return to Abbotsford where he has played just one game this season.
Datsyuk skated on the Red Wings' top line with Johan Franzen and Todd Bertuzzi and also centred the top power-play unit. Datsyuk missed seven games, over that stretch the Red Wings went 5-2-0. There will be a lot of pressure on Datsyuk to carry the team while Henrik Zetterberg remains out.
Helm missed the last two games and it does not appear that he will play tomorrow vs. the Panthers. He will need to participate in tomorrow's morning skate in order to play. He has battled a lot of injuries as of late, but this does not appear to be too serious which is good news for the 26-year-old who has seven goals and 10 points in 15 games.
Orpik was placed on injured reserve this morning and is not eligible to return for seven days which would be next Saturday.
