Dakota Mermis will draw into the lineup on Tuesday, making Merrill the odd man out for the first time since January 25th. Merrill recorded an assist, two shots, and one hit while playing 11:32 time-on-ice in Minnesota's thrilling 10-7 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday.
Mermis had been a regular in the lineup for six weeks before being a healthy scratch in the last two games. The 30-year-old Mermis has seven points (2G / 5A) in 37 games this season while primarily playing on a defensive pair with Jon Merrill, who will draw out of the lineup in favour of Mermis on Tuesday.
Olofsson has not played the last two games and will miss at least two more. His next opportunity to return to the lineup will be at home on Sunday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Olofsson has zero points in his last eight games.
Rasmussen is on pace to set career-highs in all major offensive categories this season and has been rewarded with a four-year $12.8 million contract extension. In 55 games this season, Rasmussen has 23 points (11G / 12A), 74 shots, and 91 hits.
Puljujarvi has been held without a point while playing the last six games for the Penguins, tallying 13 hits and nine shots. Puljujarvi was signed to a two-year, $1.6 million ($800,000 AAV) contract with the Penguins two weeks ago.
Harris has missed the last three games due to an upper-body injury but will likely return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres. He was limited to only 1:34 time-on-ice before exiting the Canadiens' February 11th matchup against the St. Louis Blues.
Hellebuyck had one of his worst performances of the season on Monday, allowing five goals on 33 shots (.848 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Calgary Flames. The Jets will turn to Brossoit on the back end of a back-to-back Tuesday and attempt to rebound back into the win column, entering the action as -139 home favourites against a Minnesota Wild club that won an exhilarating game 10-7 against the Vancouver Canucks yesterday. Brossoit last played on February 8th, allowing four goals on 21 shots (.810 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
On the back end of a back-to-back, the Stars will rely on Wedgewood between the pipes, his first start since February 7th. Wedgewood has been serviceable but unspectacular between the pipes this season, posting a 3.03 GAA and .897 SV% in 24 games (13-5-4). That said, he manned the crease against the New York Rangers earlier this season and saved 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 6-3 victory. The Stars enter action as +116 road underdogs against the Rangers.
The Islanders will return to Sorokin on Tuesday night for his third straight start. Sorokin struggled in his last outing at the Stadium Series against the New York Rangers on Sunday, allowing two goals in the final five minutes en route to an eventual 6-5 overtime loss. Before that, Sorokin was amid one of his best stretches of the season, allowing three or fewer goals in five straight games (3-1-1), boasting an impressive .936 SV%. The Islanders enter action as +117 road underdogs against a struggling Pittsburgh Penguins team.
Despite having an excellent outing on Sunday, saving 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%), Jarry allowed two late goals en route to a 2-1 regulation loss to the Los Angeles Kings and will serve as the backup to Nedeljkovic on Tuesday night. Nedeljkovic has played well lately, including a 27-save performance (.964 SV%) in his last outing, a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on February 15th, the Penguins' only win in the last 12 days (1-4-0). That said, the Penguins are -130 home favourites against the New York Islanders on Tuesday night.
Shesterkin will return to the crease for the fourth time in the last five games on Tuesday night. The former Vezina winner salvaged an overtime victory on Sunday at the Stadium Series against the New York Islanders despite allowing five goals on 41 shots (.878 SV%). Shesterkin has been uncharacteristically inconsistent all season, but he and the Rangers remain -127 home favourites entering action against an injury-depleted Dallas Stars team that played yesterday and lost 4-3 in a shootout to the Boston Bruins.
Duchene participated in the pre-game skate on Monday but was a last-minute scratch for the Stars due to a lower-body injury. He was replaced by Sam Steel on the second line in Monday's contest and will be a game-time decision on Tuesday. The Stars recalled highly-touted offensive prospect Logan Stankoven, who will likely draw into the lineup if Duchene is still unavailable.
Mahura will exit the lineup on Tuesday, allowing Aaron Ekblad to draw back in. Mahura played only his second game in the last month on Sunday, tallying an assist, two shots, and two hits in 15:56 time-on-ice.
Ekblad did not play in the Panthers' dominating 9-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday due to a lower-body injury but will re-enter the lineup on Tuesday night against the Ottawa Senators. After a four-point night on January 19th, Ekblad has been held without a point in eight of his last nine games.
Shesterkin will likely return to the crease for the fourth time in the last five games on Tuesday night. The former Vezina winner salvaged an overtime victory on Sunday at the Stadium Series against the New York Islanders despite allowing five goals on 41 shots (.878 SV%). Shesterkin has been uncharacteristically inconsistent all season, but he and the Rangers remain -127 home favourites entering action against an injury-depleted Dallas Stars team that played yesterday and lost 4-3 in a shootout to the Boston Bruins.
Bear played four straight games for the Capitals before being a healthy scratch on Saturday but will return to the lineup on Tuesday night. In his last four games, Bear has zero points, one shot, and five hits while averaging less than 14 minutes of time-on-ice.
Lindgren will return to the crease on Tuesday night in a divisional matchup against the New Jersey Devils. Lindgren allowed four goals on 35 shots (.886 SV%) in his last outing and has been inconsistent lately after a great start to the season. The 30-year-old netminder has one win in his last six games (1-4-1), a shutout, but has allowed three or more goals in the other five contests, posting an ugly .866 SV%. The Capitals enter action as +148 home underdogs against the Devils.
Lindgren will return to the crease on Tuesday night in a divisional matchup against the New Jersey Devils. Lindgren allowed four goals on 35 shots (.886 SV%) in his last outing and has been inconsistent lately after a great start to the season. The 30-year-old netminder has one win in his last six games (1-4-1), a shutout, but has allowed three or more goals in the other five contests, posting an ugly .866 SV%. The Capitals enter action as +148 home underdogs against the Devils.
Petrovic made his season debut with Dallas yesterday, registering two shots and two hits in 12:52 time-on-ice, but has been reassigned to Texas to make room for the call-up of Logan Stankoven. Additionally, Miro Heiskane will draw back into the lineup on the blueline after not playing on Monday to attend the birth of his child.
Poitras missed the Bruins' previous game before the All-Star break due to the injury and did practice in full on Sunday, but the team and Poitras have opted for surgery to repair his injured shoulder, bringing a premature end to his rookie season. The 19-year-old rookie left the Bruins briefly in December to attend this year's World Jr Tournament and has made a solid impact in his rookie season with five goals and 15 points in 33 games played.
