Rittich stopped 19 of 20 shots in the Flames win in New Jersey last Wednesday. Mike Smith started on Saturday but Rittich will start for the third time in five games. Rittich comes in having won his last two games while stopping 41 of 43 shots (.954 SV%). Tonight he takes on a Maple Leafs team that has won four of their last five games.
The Predators were looking for Fiala to take the next step this season after scoring 23 goals with 25 assists (48 points) last season and it has not happened. The winger was impressive last season, firing 187 shots while averaging just 15:09 TOI/gm but has seen his shot volume and shooting percentage drop this year. In Minnesota, he has a clear path to playing top-6, even top-line minutes, so this trade should help boost his fantasy value through the rest of the season.
Danault missed the morning skate because his wife is due to deliver their first child any time now. Depending on what happens this afternoon, Danault could miss Tuesday’s game.
Kuemper stopped all 22 shots that he faced in the Coyotes shutout win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday. Kuemper and the Coyotes have had Toronto’s number this season and it led to Kuemper’s third win in his last four games—stopping 116 of the 124 shots (.936 SV%) that he has faced in that stretch. Tonight he faces a Flames team that is dangerous offensively but come in as losers of five of their last seven.
Kuemper allowed four goals on 24 shots in the Coyotes loss to St. Louis on Thursday. The loss snapped a brief two-game winning streak for Kuemper, who has gone 2-3-1 with a 3.35 GAA and .899 SV% in February. Kuemper allowed two goals on 26 shots in a 4-2 win in his first start against the Maple Leafs.
Kuemper allowed two goals on 43 shots in the Coyotes win in Vegas on Tuesday. Kuemper has won two in a row while stopping 74 of 78 shots (.949 SV%) and will make his 32nd appearance of the season on Thursday. Kuemper has gone 8-2-2 with a 2.56 GAA, .918 SV% and one shutout in his last 12 starts.
