Kevin Shattenkirk will draw back into the lineup on Wednesday, prompting the Bruins to make Wotherspoon a healthy scratch. Wotherspoon played 16:43 time-on-ice in the Bruins' 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday, recording two shots and two hits.
Bertuzzi was not at practice on Tuesday and will be away from the team again on Wednesday, missing the Maple Leafs contest against the Winnipeg Jets to attend to the birth of his child. Bertuzzi had one point in the Maple Leafs' previous contest, snapping a three-game pointless skid.
Smith's 16 points (5G / 11A) in 46 games have been rewarded with a two-year, $2 million contract extension. The 28-year-old winger has most recently been playing on a line with Michael McCarron and Philip Tomasino.
Forsling sat out the previous game for the Panthers for personal reasons but will be ready to return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Arizona Coyotes. Forsling has scored a goal in each of his last two games while registering six shots and four hits.
The Panthers snapped a four-game losing streak on Monday with Anthony Stolarz between the pipes but will return to Bobrovsky on Wednesday evening. Bobrovsky's 2.55 GAA is his best since the 2017-18 campaign with the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the veteran netminder has struggled lately, allowing three or more goals in three straight (0-1-1), posting an ugly .846 SV%. The Panthers are sizeable -206 home favourites against an Arizona Coyotes club riding a two-game winning streak.
Head coach Paul Maurice expressed that Barkov will likely return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Arizona Coyotes, barring any unforeseen changes. Barkov has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury and was on a tear before he left the lineup, scoring seven points (0G / 7A) in his last five games.
Rafferty had two goals, 13 assists, six PIMs and a +2 plus/minus in 35 games played with Grand Rapids (AHL) but served as a healthy scratch for the Red Wings on Tuesday. The 28-year-old defenseman last appeared in the NHL in 2020-21 with Vancouver and has an assist in three career NHL games played.
Mrazek's 3.01 GAA and .907 SV% are his best totals in three seasons, considerably more impressive considering he plays for the defensively troubled Blackhawks. As a result of his strong play, Mrazek has been rewarded with a two-year, $8.5 million ($4,250,000 AAV) contract extension. He should continue to see an edge in starts over Arvid Soderblom for the remainder of the season.
The Panthers snapped a four-game losing streak on Monday with Anthony Stolarz between the pipes but will likely return to Bobrovsky on Wednesday evening. Bobrovsky's 2.55 GAA is his best since the 2017-18 campaign with the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the veteran netminder has struggled lately, allowing three or more goals in three straight (0-1-1), posting an ugly .846 SV%. The Panthers are sizeable -206 home favourites against an Arizona Coyotes club riding a two-game winning streak.
Byram will return to the Avalanche lineup on Wednesday for his first game since January 4th, an eight-game absence. Before his injury, Byram was amid a cold stretch, with only two points (1G / 1A) in his last 11 games.
Lehkonen has been a full participant at practice for the last two weeks and will return to the lineup for the first time since suffering a neck injury on November 9th. Before his injury, Lehkonen had eight points (3G / 5A) in 12 games, averaging 18:30 time-on-ice, playing predominantly alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, including a spot on the top powerplay. With Valeri Nichushkin out of the lineup for the foreseeable future, Lehkonen should benefit immediately from favourable offensive deployment.
With Washington on a back-to-back, Lindgren will take the crease Wednesday after backing up Darcy Kuemper on Tuesday. The 30-year-old has deservedly earned the majority of the Capitals' starts of late as he's put up a 3-2-1 record, and .928 SV% in his last seven games played. He takes on the Colorado Avalanche on the road Wednesday, who have won five of their last seven games and rank 2nd in the NHL in goals per game (3.77).
Shesterkin will return to the crease on Tuesday in a favourable matchup against the San Jose Sharks. Shesterkin has had an inconsistent season but has played better lately, allowing two or fewer goals in three of his last four contests (3-1-0), posting a serviceable .909 SV%. The Rangers are significant -341 road favourites against the Sharks, who rank dead-last in the league offensively (2.06 GF / GP).
Johnston will sit to make room for Brock McGinn, who will draw back into the lineup. Johnston has no goals and two assists in 34 games this season.
McGinn will take the place of Ross Johnston, who will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday. McGinn has one goal and two assists in 22 games this season.
The move frees up a roster spot for the Sabres to activate Jeff Skinner off injured reserve. Johnson missed Saturday's game due to the upper-body injury, and a timeline for his return remains unclear.
Skinner has not played since January 9th, missing the last five games, but will likely to the lineup on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. On Monday, he was a full participant in practice, including partaking in drills with the top powerplay unit. Before his injury, Skinner was riding a hot streak with eight points (3G / 5A) in his last five games.
Skinner will start for the fifth straight game as the red-hot Oilers host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday. The Oilers are riding a franchise-best 13-game winning streak and are sizeable -349 home favourites against a Blue Jackets squad that has lost four of their last five (1-3-1). The entire Oilers' roster has worked in tandem during their unprecedented winning streak, but Skinner has been the team's backbone, allowing two or fewer goals in nine of his last 10 outings (10-0-0), posting a remarkable .947 SV%.
Watson has two goals and one assist in 26 games with the Lightning this season, playing predominantly on the team's fourth line.
Rempal will take the place of Brendan Brisson, who will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday. Rempal has played just one game with the Golden Knights this season, registering two shots on goal in just over seven minutes of ice time.
