Valamov stopped all 26 shots that he faced in the Avs’ 5-0 shutout win over the Blues last Tuesday. It was a nice return to the crease for Varly, who will start the vast majority of games heading forward. Tonight he will take on the Blues again, this time in St. Louis. He is 1-0-1 with a 0.96 GAA and .964 SV% in the first two meetings.
Palmieri was hopeful that he would be able to return to the lineup tonight vs. Arizona, but he will miss at least one more week with a shoulder injury.
Drouin was sent home with a stomach virus this morning and will be held out of the lineup tonight. With Drouin out, Cedric Paquette will play on the top-line with Steven Stamkos and Brett Connolly.
Drouin was not on the ice for the Lightning’s morning skate because he was sent home sick this morning. Coach Cooper said that there is “no indication” that Drouin has the mumps. Expect an update on Drouin’s status a few hours prior to warmups.
Schneider allowed one goal on 33 shots in the Devils 2-1 shootout loss to the Hurricanes on Tuesday. Despite posting a solid 2.55 GAA and .912 SV% over his last five starts, he has gone 0-4-1 over that stretch. Tonight he will face the Rangers and a red-hot Henrik Lundqvist.
Schneider gave up three goals on 20 shots in the Devils loss to the Hurricanes on Saturday. It was Schneider’s fourth consecutive loss while posting a 4.14 GAA and .893 SV%. It has been an ugly stretch for the 28-year-old, but he draws a great matchup tonight and has a good chance to head into the Christmas break on a high note.
Varlamov (groin) has missed the last six games, but will be back between the pipes tonight vs. the Blues. In his only two starts in December, he has gone 0-1-1 with a 5.24 GAA and .836 SV%. He draws a tough matchup to return in—St. Louis ranks sixth in the NHL in scoring with 2.94 goals per game.
Schneider gave up three goals on 20 shots in the Devils loss to the Hurricanes on Saturday. It was Schneider’s fourth consecutive loss while posting a 4.14 GAA and .893 SV%. It has been an ugly stretch for the 28-year-old, but he draws a great matchup tonight and has a good chance to head into the Christmas break on a high note.
Varlamov skated and took shots on Sunday in Detroit and Patrick Roy said he is “95 percent and will likely start on Tuesday” but the team will decide for sure on Monday. Calvin Pickard continues to play extremely well, so there is no need to rush Varlamov back if he is not 100 percent.
Schneider stopped 14 of 15 shots in a 2-0 loss to the Senators on Wednesday. Despite outshooting Ottawa 34-15, the Devils could not get one past Craig Anderson. Schneider was given last night off, but will be in goal tonight when they host Washington. He has gone 1-2-0 with a 2.97 GAA and .905 SV% against the Capitals this season.
The Ducks first game after the Christmas break is on December 27th vs. the Coyotes. Palmieri remains with the team on their road-trip and will undergo tests when they return to Anaheim.
Palmieri suffered a shoulder injury in the Ducks loss to the Maple Leafs last night. He has been sent back to Anaheim and will miss the remaining two games of the Ducks current road trip. Emerson Etem has been recalled and will skate in Palmieri’s spot on the second line.
Schneider allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Devils’ loss to the Stars on Saturday. He was surprisingly given Monday night off, but will be back in goal tonight vs. the Senators. Schneider is 2-4-0 with a 2.67 GAA and .921 SV% through the first half of December.
Drouin has been in and out of the lineup recently and has only averaged 12:58 TOI in 23 games this season. He scored his second goal of the year last night and will bump up to the top line with Steven Stamkos and Ryan Callahan.
Cizikas has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury that he suffered on December 6th vs. the Blues. He will be back in for Michael Grabner, who is day-to-day with a lower-body ailment. Cizikas will centre the fourth line with Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck.
With Zack Smith out for multiple months, the Senators have recalled Pageau to fill in. Pageau, 22, had two goals in 28 games with the Senators last season. He had 18 points (8G / 10A) in 25 games with Binghamton before his recall.
Schneider allowed three goals on 35 shots in the Devils loss to the Flyers on Thursday. In five starts this month, he has gone 2-3-0 with a 2.22 GAA and .930 SV%. Tonight he gets the nod in Dallas against a Stars team who have lost five of their last six. Schneider took the OTL in his first start vs. Dallas.
Schneider allowed one goal on 40 shots in the Devils win over the Hurricanes on Monday. He has won two of his last three with a 2.35 GAA and .930 SV%. After a rare night off on Tuesday, he will be back in goal tonight in Philly. Schneider is 1-0-0 vs. the Flyers and 8-8-0 with a 2.60 GAA and .918 SV% on the road.
Varlamov underwent an MRI on Monday and the results did not reveal anything positive for the Avalanche. Varlamov will miss a couple of weeks at least, which leaves the team with Calvin Pickard as their starter.
