After sitting out back-to-back games, Bernier will be back in the cage tonight vs. Pittsburgh. Bernier has been stellar all season, but faces a tough test tonight in Pittsburgh. In seven starts on the road this season he is 3-3-1 with a 1.85 GAA and .947 SV%.
Datsyuk was on the ice for the Red Wings optional skate this morning, which is a good sign, but he still won't play on Friday. The Red Wings are not sure if he will make the road trip at all, which puts his status for Sunday in doubt. Monitor his status as the week progresses.
Granlund missed the last two games with an upper-body injury but should be back in the lineup tonight and skate with Nino Niederreiter and Jason Pominville. Granlund has two goals and 10 assists as he continues to progress his game in the NHL. The Finnish phenom has more value in keeper leagues, but is still relevant in deep one-year leagues.
This is a terrible break for the Penguins. Martin is one of their more reliable defenseman and brings a lot to their top power-play unit. The injury will move Kris Letang back to the top-unit and could thrust Simon Despres into the lineup for the foreseeable future. Expect Martin back after Christmas.
Parise was reportedly going to miss 2-3 weeks with a foot contusion, but taking line rushes usually indicates a player who is going to play tonight. Could he be in the lineup tonight and miss no games? Hmm, wouldn't that be unbelievable? We will continue to monitor this situation.
Emery gave up one goal on 30 shots in a win over the Sabres last Thursday. He played very well in his last two starts, going 2-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA and .967 SV%. He has a decent spot-start matchup tonight against a Lightning team without Steven Stamkos and Ben Bishop.
Lindback gave up five goals on 36 shots in a loss to the Sharks last Thursday. It has been a tough start to the season for Lindback. He has just one win in seven appearances with a 3.47 GAA and .872 SV%. With 12 other games in the NHL tonight, you should have better options than Lindback.
Larsson will miss his second straight game after being injured on Saturday. Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said the injury is not serious and believes Larsson will avoid a stint on injured reserve, so consider him day-to-day and questionable for Friday.
Ericsson was the very last pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, but has developed into a rock-solid defenseman for the Red Wings. He has not been a fantasy factor with a career-high of 15 points, but has become a solid shutdown defenseman skating on the top-pair with Niklas Kronwall. He is averaging 22:16 TOI through 15 games this season. He has one goal and four assists which has him on pace for five goals and 24 points. He has a legitimate chance of making Team Sweden's Olympic roster as well.
Brodeur allowed two goals on 21 shots in a loss to the Jets on Monday. Tonight it looks like he will make his third consecutive start and fifth in the Devils' last six games. Brodeur is 3-2-1 with a 1.32 GAA and .938 SV% at home this season, the Devils host Carolina tonight.
Price allowed two goals on 31 shots in a win over the Penguins on Monday. The win was his ninth of the season, but just his second in November. Price should get win number 10 tonight when the Habs are in Buffalo to take on a bad Buffalo squad.
Miller allowed two goals on 33 shots in a loss to the Red Wings on Sunday. He continues to play at a high-level (.919 SV%) but the lack off offence and suspect defence continues to plague Miller. His 3.11 GAA is not going to get the job done for his owners, at this point, you are just waiting for him to be traded.
Thomas stopped 38 of 39 shots in a win over the Flyers on Monday. Thomas was at his best on Monday night and willed the Panthers to victory. He goes again tonight against the Rangers. In his first start vs. New York he allowed four goals on 29 shots in a losing effort.
Backstrom surrendered two goals on 20 shots in a 3-0 loss to the Blues on Monday. The Wild will be without their leading scorer Zach Parise for the next few weeks, so a lot of focus will be on the goaltending. Tonight he faces the Coyotes fourth ranked offence (3.17 G/PG).
Holtby allowed one goal on 28 shots in a disappointing 2-1 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs. Washington fired 50 shots at James Reimer, but could only get one passed him. He will get the start tonight when the Caps host the Senators. Holtby is 6-3-0 with a 2.47 GAA and .932 SV% at home.
Poulin gave up three goals on 16 shots before being pulled early in the second period on Saturday. Since taking over as the Islanders' starter, Poulin has played terribly. In three starts he has allowed 12 goals with an .839 SV%. Poulin takes on the Jets tonight, but are you really going to start him?
Brodeur allowed two goals on 21 shots in a loss to the Jets on Monday. Tonight it looks like he will make his third consecutive start and fifth in the Devils' last six games. Brodeur is 3-2-1 with a 1.32 GAA and .938 SV% at home this season, the Devils host Carolina tonight.
Nikitin left Monday's game after playing just 5:36 and did not return. This is a tough break for Nikitin who had a goal and four assists in his last seven games. Dalton Prout will step in on the blueline.
Bobrovsky stopped all 18 shots that he faced in a 6-0 beat-down of the Maple Leafs on Monday night. It was Bob's first shutout of the season and eighth win to move him to 8-10-2. Tonight will be his first start vs. his former divisional foe after Columbus' move to the Eastern Conference. He was 4-1-0 with a 2.59 GAA and .921 SV% against the Predators last season.
Tyrell, 24, has skated in 16 games this season with the Crunch, posting three goals and four points to go along with eight penalty minutes. Tyrell, 24, has skated in 16 games this season with the Crunch, posting three goals and four points to go along with eight penalty minutes. Last season Tyrell recorded a goal and four points in 21 games with the Lightning.
