Kempe, 20, was a first round pick in 2014 (29th overall) and is set to make his NHL debut following Wednesday’s promotion. The Swedish winger has 11 goals and eight assists (19 points) in 43 games with Ontario and could make his NHL debut on a line with Anze Kopitar.
Kuemper allowed two goals on 43 shots in the Wild’s win in Edmonton on January 31st. Kuemper has faced an average of 34.2 shots in his first 11 starts of the season and tonight he’ll make start No.12 vs. the Blackhawks. Chicago is 11th in the league in scoring (2.78 GF/PG) and come in having gone 2-1-0 in their first three games of their current road-trip.
Kuemper allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Wild’s loss to the Predators on January 22nd. Kuemper has won three of his last five starts while allowing a combined 16 goals on 168 shots (.905 SV%). Kuemper hasn’t been great this season, but he’s playing behind one of the best teams in the NHL, making him a decent spot-start option when he gets the nod.
Kuemper allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Wild’s loss to the Predators on January 22nd. Kuemper has won three of his last five starts while allowing a combined 16 goals on 168 shots (.905 SV%). Kuemper hasn’t been great this season, but he’s playing behind one of the best teams in the NHL, making him a decent spot-start option when he gets the nod.
Dumoulin has been sidelined by a broken jaw since December 27th, but is expected to play tonight vs. the Blues. Look for Dumoulin, who has seven assists in 35 games, to skate with Chad Ruhwedel on the third pairing.
Fiala, 20, registered nine points (6G / 3A) in 32 games during his time with the Predators. Fiala was a healthy scratch on the weekend and now heads back to Milwaukee, where he has eight points (2G / 6A) in seven games this season.
Because of the early part there was no word prior to warmups that Kopitar was under the weather. The Kings first line centre is considered day-to-day.
Sergei Bobrovsky is sick and Curtis McElhinney is now a Maple Leaf, so Forsberg will make his season debut tonight in Carolina. The 24-year-old played very well during his time in Cleveland, going 12-6-1 with a 2.16 GAA and .930 SV% in 21 games. He is 1-7-0 with a 4.01 GAA and .882 SV% in his NHL career. He is a risky start against a sneaky good Carolina team.
Forsberg has gone 12-6-1 with a 2.16 GAA and .930 SV% in 21 games with Cleveland this season and has been recalled to replace Curtis McElhinney as Sergei Bobrovsky’s backup. McElhinney has been placed on waivers, so expect Forsberg to remain with the Blue Jackets for the foreseeable future.
Kuemper allowed four goals on 35 shots in the Wild’s win in New York back on December 23rd. His starts are few and far between, but he’s won more often than not. To this point in the season, Kuemper is 4-2-1 with a 3.11 GAA and .904 SV% in seven outings, but is an unreal 3-1-1 with a 2.04 GAA, .932 SV% and one shutout in his career vs. the Kings.
The Blackhawks have a tough salary-cap situation, which is why they couldn’t give more term to Panarin. The young Russian winger has picked up 15 goals and 22 assists (37 points) in 37 games this season and has 114 points (45G / 69A) in 117 career NHL games.
Edler has been sidelined since November 26th with a broken index finger, but it looks like he could return tonight vs. the Kings. His original timetable was 4-6 weeks and tonight would be exactly the one month mark. Edler is expected to skate with Troy Stecher and comes in with one goal and two assists (three points) in 21 games.
Dumoulin left Tuesday's game after being hit in the face by a slapshot. Dumoulin will undergo surgery to repair a broken jaw and is expected to miss at least one month. With Dumoulin not available for Wednesday's game, the Penguins are hoping that Olli Maatta (illness) will return this evening.
