Pitlick has regularly been a healthy scratch the last couple of weeks, playing only one of the last five games for the Blackhawks. In nine games this season, Pitlick has zero points, 13 shots, and nine hits while averaging 15:35 time-on-ice.
Despite Cayden Primeau posting a shutout in a 5-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, snapping a two-game losing skid, the Canadiens will turn back to Montembeault between the pipes on Thursday night. Montembeault played well in his last outing, saving 35 of 38 shots (.921 SV%), but came up short as the Canadiens fell 3-2 to the Dallas Stars. The 27-year-old Montembeault has held the opposition to three or fewer goals in his last three games (2-1-0), posting a stellar .935 SV%.
Minnesota is riding a three-game winning streak and will turn to Fleury to tend the twine on Wednesday night. Fleury has been excellent lately, saving 79 of the last 83 shots he's faced (.952 SV%) while posting a 2-0-0 record. Minnesota is a slight -107 road favourite heading into action against a struggling Arizona Coyotes club that has been held to three or fewer goals in five games during their current six-game losing skid (0-5-1).
Nylander, John Tavares, and Mitch Marner were all absent from practice on Wednesday due to an illness. They will be reevaluated ahead of Thursday's contest against the Philadelphia Flyers. Nylander has five points (3G / 2A) in his last four games.
Samsonov will return to the crease for the Maple Leafs on Thursday night, giving him seven of their last eight starts. Samsonov was excellent on Tuesday night, albeit lightly tested, needing to save only 14 of 15 shots (.933 SV%) in a commanding 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues. After being sent down to the Toronto Marlies last month, Samsonov has flipped a switch on his season, allowing three or fewer goals in five of his last six games (5-1-0) while posting a stellar .927 SV%.
O'Brien was a late scratch on Monday night and will remain out of the lineup on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury. O'Brien has three goals and five assists in 49 games this season.
The Coyotes gave Ingram a rare night off in their last outing in an attempt to snap a five-game losing skid but were unable to, losing 5-3 to the Philadelphia Flyers. The 26-year-old Ingram has allowed three or more goals in four straight (0-4-0), posting an ugly .857 SV%, well below his season average (.912 SV%). The Coyotes are slight -103 home underdogs against a Minnesota Wild club riding a three-game winning streak, including an impressive 5-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday.
Pelletier exited Tuesday's game against the New York Rangers early in the first period with an upper-body injury after playing only 54 seconds. Pelletier has been limited to only four games this season as he previously recovered from shoulder surgery. The Flames recalled Cole Schwindt from the Calgary Wranglers (AHL), indicating that Pelletier will likely be unavailable for the Flames' Thursday night matchup against the San Jose Sharks.
Grundstrom played only 3:43 time-on-ice before exiting Tuesday's 7-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres with a lower-body injury. Before his injury, Grundstrom had one point (1G / 0A), eight shots, and 13 hits in his last three games.
Sanderson has not played since exiting the Senators' game on January 31st against the Detroit Red Wings after playing only 4:49 TOI due to a lower-body injury. The 21-year-old sophomore has taken a step forward across all aspects of his game in his second season and has seven goals, 24 points, 99 SOG, 19 PIMs and a +5 plus/minus in 47 games prior to his injury.
Schwindt has not dressed since before the All-Star break (January 27th) but has been recalled from the Calgary Wranglers (AHL). The 22-year-old rookie right-winger has appeared in three games this season for the Flames, playing a minor role and picking up one SOG, two PIMs, and a -1 plus/minus while averaging a minuscule 6:30 TOI.
Okhotyuk will be the odd man out of the lineup on Wednesday, allowing Mario Ferraro to return from a lower-body injury. Okhotyuk played 10 straight for the Sharks, registering one goal, 27 hits, and 11 shots on goal.
Jarry will start for the second straight game on Tuesday, looking to build on an exceptional run lately. In his last three games (2-1-0), Jarry has allowed only four total goals while boasting a tremendous .951 SV%. That said, the Penguins are amid a two-game losing streak and have failed to score more than three goals in 10 straight games (3-4-3). The Penguins enter action against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night as +118 road underdogs.
Hellebuyck snapped a three-game losing skid in his last outing, saving 35 of 36 shots (.972 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, and will likely return to the crease on Wednesday night. The 30-year-old Hellebuyck has been amongst the league leaders all season, boasting a stellar 2.19 GAA and .925 SV% through 37 games (24-10-3). He is poised for a strong performance on Wednesday as the Jets are overwhelming -444 home favourites against the league's lowest-scoring team, the San Jose Sharks (2.08 GF / GP).
Husso was making his first NHL start since December 18th on Tuesday, but lasted just 8:48 due to a lower-body injury. It's unclear if Husso reaggravated his previous lower-body issue or if he suffered a new one.
Husso will make his first start appearance since December 18th, ending a run of eight consecutive starts for Alex Lyon. Husso has managed a strong record of 9-5-2 on the season despite his own personal struggles. The 29-year-old netminder owns an .893 SV% and a 3.53 GAA across 18 appearances. It's hard to imagine a worse matchup for Husso to return to, as the Red Wings find themselves as +185 underdogs in Edmonton against Connor McDavid and the Oilers.
Lafferty will get the chance to play against his former team on Tuesday as Nils Aman will be the odd-man out upfront. Lafferty has ten goals and ten assists in 51 games this season.
Aman will sit on Tuesday in favour of Sam Lafferty. Aman has two goals and four assists in 30 games this season.
Demko was excellent his last time out, stopping 31 of the 33 shots he faced in a 3-2 overtime victory in Washington on Sunday. The 28-year-old netminder is in the midst of an outstanding season with the Canucks, posting a .919 SV% and 2.45 GAA to go along with a league-leading tally of 28 wins. He's a safe bet to stay in the win column on Tuesday, with the Canucks being favoured at -260 to pick up the victory in Chicago over the lowly Blackhawks.
Pesce has missed the last two games due to an illness, and his status remains in the air for Tuesday's matchup against the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Pesce isn't flashy on the blueline but provides a steadying defensive presence for the Hurricanes. Through 41 games this season, he was seven points (3G / 4A), 61 shots, and 71 blocks.
