Pacioretty exited the Capitals' last game before the All-Star break with a lower-body injury, playing only 10:25 time-on-ice. The injury is unrelated to the Achilles injury responsible for him missing most of the last two seasons. As such, he participated in practice on Monday and will return to the lineup on Tuesday. Before his injury, Pacioretty registered four points (0G / 4A) in his last five games.
Sgarbossa has been amongst the AHL's top point producers over the last several seasons but has been limited in his NHL exposure and will play his first game since the 2021-22 campaign. In 44 games with the Hershey Bears (AHL), Sgarbossa has 43 points (7G / 36A) this season.
Rooney had an assist, 14 SOG, seven PIMs and a -2 plus/minus through 17 games played with Calgary in 2022-23 but has been forced to miss all of the 2023-24 season thus far due to off-season shoulder surgery. He will make his season debut on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins.
Cousins was the recipient of a controversial hit from Arizona's Jason Zucker, which led to a three-game suspension. Cousins has been out of the lineup since, missing 12 games due to a concussion. The 30-year-old scrappy centre has struggled to produce offensively in 2023-24 with only two goals, three assists, 20 PIMs, 63 SOG and a -10 plus/minus in 37 games.
Raska has not played since Frederick Gaudreau returned to the lineup on January 23rd and will return to the Iowa Wild of the AHL. The 22-year-old Raska has zero points and 11 hits in five games with Minnesota this season.
Stolarz, who started the last game before the All-Star break, will start again for the Panthers in their return to the ice on Tuesday. Stolarz has been tremendous lately, winning two straight and allowing three total goals while saving 47 of 50 shots (.940 SV%). The Panthers, winners of four straight, are sizeable -204 home favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers club that has dropped five straight (0-5-0).
The Capitals will turn to Lindgren on Tuesday, his third straight start, in their return to action from the All-Star break. Despite being favoured in between the pipes lately, starting four of the last five games (1-2-1), Lindgren has allowed three or more goals three times, posting an ugly .861 SV%. That said, the Capitals are -150 home favourites against Lindgren's former squad, the Montreal Canadiens, who have lost four of their last five (1-3-1).
After straight three straight games (1-2-0), Markstrom will be well-rested in the Flames' return to the ice after the All-Star break. In his last outing, Markstrom saved all 32 shots he faced in a 1-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, his second shutout of the season. The Flames, in their first game since trading talented two-way center Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks, are +164 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins club riding a two-game winning streak.
Milano has not played since December 10th, missing 22 games with an upper-body injury, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup imminently. Milano had been held to only one point (1G / 0A) in his last nine games before his injury, firing only six shots on goal and averaging 11:19 time-on-ice.
Hughes has not played since January 5th but has a chance to return to the lineup this week as he is considered day-to-day. Regardless of his exact return date, his presence as a full participant at practice on Tuesday is an encouraging sign for a Devils club that has struggled in his absence. Hughes has been limited to only 32 games in an injury-plagued 2023-24 campaign but has 45 points (15G / 30A) in that span.
Nosek has been out since November 18th after a foot injury and subsequent surgery but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche after being a full participant at the morning skate. The 31-year-old failed to pick up a point in his six games before his injury.
Kochetkov has missed the last seven games with a concussion but will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 24-year-old Kochetkov was playing tremendously in the games leading up to his injury, allowing two or fewer goals in four straight (4-0-0), posting a dazzling .936 SV%. The Hurricanes, riding a three-game winning streak, are -141 home favourites against the Vancouver Canucks, who lead the Pacific Division and have points in 11 straight (9-0-2).
Vanecek will start for the third time in the last four games for the Devils in a challenging matchup against the high-scoring Colorado Avalanche. The Devils have lost two straight, and Vanecek has allowed four or more goals in each of his last two starts. That said, Vanecek and the Devils will be facing off against an Avalanche club that lost a hard-fought battle last night, 2-1 versus the New York Rangers in overtime.
Luukkonen and the Sabres will return to the ice on Tuesday for their first game since the All-Star break. In his last outing, Luukkonen saved 23 of 25 shots in a 5-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks and has generally been the more relied-upon Sabres' netminder lately, starting seven of the last eight games (4-3-0). The Sabres are +144 home underdogs on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars, who have points in five straight games (4-0-1).
Nosek has been out since November 18th after a foot injury and subsequent surgery, but his return to the lineup appears imminent after being a full participant at practice on Tuesday. The 31-year-old failed to pick up a point in his six games before his injury.
Svechnikov will likely miss his fifth straight game on Tuesday as the talented winger's injury-plagued season continues. Before this most recent injury, Svechnikov was on a roll, scoring 19 points (10G / 9A) in his last 13 games.
After serving a three-game suspension, Lockwood sat out the last game for the Panthers due to a concussion. Through 23 games this season, Lockwood has one point (0G / 1A), 42 hits, and 14 penalty minutes while averaging 8:22 time-on-ice.
Mackey made his season debut with the Rangers before the All-Star break but will return to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL, where he has spent most of the season. The undrafted 27-year-old has nine points (2G / 7A) in 31 games with Hartford this season.
Skinner will start a monumental game for the Oilers, their first game back from the All-Star break, as they search for their 17th straight victory. Skinner saved 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) in his last outing and has been nearly unbeatable during the Oilers' 16-game winning streak, allowing more than two goals only once and posting a tremendous .950 SV% in 12 contests (12-0-0). The Oilers are -147 road favourites against a Vegas Golden Knights squad with points in six of their last seven games (5-1-1).
Bolduc will sit out Monday's game against the Maple Leafs as both Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech make their return to the Islanders' lineup. Bolduc has one goal and two assists in 33 games this season.
