The Avalanche have activated Semyon Varlamov (groin) from IR; will backup Jonathan Bernier on Thursday.
New York Islanders News
Cizikas (upper-body) will return to the Islanders lineup on Tuesday.
Cizikas has missed the last six games with an upper-body injury, but will be back in tonight vs. the Panthers. Cizikas will replace Ross Johnston and returns to the lineup with just 11 points (5G / 6A) in 40 games this season.
Varlamov (groin) will travel on Colorado’s three-game road-trip.
Varlamov was a full participant in Monday’s practice but won’t be available for Tuesday’s game. Varlamov will travel on their three-game road-trip and could play at some point over that stretch, but he will need to participate in at least one or two more practices before that becomes a reality.
Goalie Start
Rittich will start Thursday in Edmonton.
Rittich stopped 41 of 43 shots in the Flames win in Florida on January 12th. Rittich has gone 3-0-1 with a 1.71 GAA and .946 SV% in his last four starts. He came in in relief against the Oilers in early-December and gave up two goals on six shots in a 7-5 loss. He is 4-0-1 with a 1.77 GAA and .942 SV% on the road this season.
Pageau (upper-body) will return to the Senators lineup on Thursday.
Goalie Start
Rittich is in the starter's crease at the Flames morning skate.
Rittich allowed two goals on 43 shots in the Flames win in Florida on January 12th. The Flames have a back-to-back on Wednesday/Thursday so look for Rittich to start the front-end tonight vs. the Kings. Rittich is 3-0-1 with a 1.71 GAA and .946 SV%. He is an interesting spot-start option for fantasy owners in need.
Pageau (upper-body) will be out until after the All-Star break.
Pageau will miss his third straight game with an upper-body injury and will miss the Senators’ next two games before the break. With Pageau out, Filip Chlapik will remain in the Senators lineup on Monday.
Horvat (leg) will return to the Canucks lineup on Sunday.
The Canucks have activated Bo Horvat (leg) from IR; may return to the Canucks lineup on Sunday.
Horvat has been out since December 5th but traveled with the team on their current road-trip and it looks like he may return to the lineup in Winnipeg on Sunday. Horvat had a really nice season going prior to getting hurt, collecting 20 points (10G / 10A) in his first 28 games—a 59-point pace. Horvat was featured on a line with Brock Boeser before the injury, but he was practicing with the Sedin Twins in Friday’s practice.
The Islanders have placed Casey Cizikas (upper-body) on IR.
Cizikas has missed the last three games and with a three-game road trip upcoming, the Islanders move him to IR to add an extra body for the road trip.
Call up / Send down
The Rangers have recalled Anthony DeAngelo from Hartford (AHL).
DeAngelo has picked up 13 points (2G / 11A) in 29 games with Hartford this season and returns to the Rangers where he had one assist in eight games earlier this year. DeAngelo’s call-up suggests he replace with Steven Kampfer or Brendan Smith in Saturday’s lineup while Marc Staal works back from a hip flexor injury.
Pageau (undisclosed) will not be available on Thursday.
Pageau was injured in the Senators final game before their bye week and won’t play tonight vs. the Blues. Pageau took to the ice for Wednesday’s practice but wasn’t able to make it through the session. With Pageau as day-to-day, Filip Chlapik will be recalled from Belleville (AHL) to take his spot in the lineup.
Cizikas (upper-body) will not play Monday in Montreal.
Cizikas left Saturday’s game in New York with an upper-body injury after playing just 7:17 TOI. The ailment will keep him out for at least Monday’s game, so Tanner Fritz will draw back into the Islanders lineup.
Varlamov (lower-body) is out indefinitely; Avalanche hope he will be back on the ice before the All-Star break.
Duclair will make his Blackhawks debut on Friday.
After being acquired from the Coyotes, Duclair is set to make his Blackhawks debut on a line with David Kampf and Alex DeBrincat. Duclair comes to Chicago with nine goals and six assists (15 points) in 33 games.
Goalie Start
Rittich will start Friday in Florida.
Rittich allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Flames loss in San Jose on December 28th. Rittich hasn’t played a lot, but has played well in his first five appearances with the Flames—he is 3-1-1 with a 2.04 GAA and .924 S%. Tonight he takes on a Panthers team that has won six of their last nine games.
The Blackhawks have acquired Anthony Duclair and Adam Clendening from the Coyotes for Richard Panik and Laurent Dauphin.
Duclair reportedly asked to be dealt out of Arizona and they granted his wish. Duclair has nine goals and six assists (15 points) in 33 games with the Coyotes this season, but has yet to live up to expectations to this point in his career. Duclair is still young and could become a capable goal-scorer in this league and will look to start fresh in Chicago. The Blackhawks don’t have a lot depth on the wing, so Duclair could earn a sizeable role at some point.
Varlamov is day-to-day with a lower-body injury; will miss at least the next two games.
The Avalanche have two games before their bye week so Varlamov will miss at least those two games with a “muscular thing.” With Varlamov out, Andrew Hammond has been recalled to backup Jonathan Bernier.
Goalie Start
Varlamov will be in goal Tuesday vs. the Jets.
Varlamov allowed three goals on 34 shots in Colorado’s win over the Maple Leafs last Friday. After getting Sunday night off, Varlamov will return to the crease tonight over the Jets. Varlamov comes into tonight having won four of his last six starts and is 8-3-1 with a 2.65 GAA and .920 SV% at the Pepsi Center this season.
Goalie Start