Schneider allowed three goals on 23 shots after replacing Louis Domingue in the Devils loss in Washington on Thursday. Since coming up from the AHL, he's made two relief appearances, stopping 33 of the 37 shots (.892 SV%) that he has faced. Tonight he makes his first NHL start since November 8th and comes in at 0-5-1 with a 4.42 GAA and .859 SV% on the year.
Pageau was a late-scratch from Thursday's lineup, did not practice on Friday and is listed as a game-time call for Saturday's afternoon game. With no morning skate, wait for an update a few hours before puck-drop or check on his status during warmups (3:30 pm ET).
Cizikas missed the last two games with a groin injury but will play tonight vs. the Rangers. He comes in having scored four goals in his last eight games.
Rittich stopped 35 of 37 shots in the Flames 2-0 loss in Montreal on Monday. It was a strong outing for Rittich, who was starting to lose his grip on the No.1 gig in recent weeks. He’s been solid on the road, posting a 2.83 GAA and .915 SV% but draws a brutal matchup in Toronto, where the Maple Leafs have scored 4.75 goals per game in their last eight home games.
Varlamov was pulled after he allowed six goals on 35 shots in the Islanders loss in New York on Monday. Thomas Greiss gave him the night off on Tuesday but he’ll get another crack at the Rangers tonight on home-ice. He is 7-3-3 with a 2.74 GAA and .913 SV% at home and the Rangers come in on a four-game road losing streak.
Palmieri suffered a left foot injury late in their game in Washington on Saturday and will miss his second straight game on Tuesday. With Palmieri out, Pavel Zacha moved to the Devils' top line with Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt.
Cizikas was listed as a game-time decision on Monday but missed the game and will not dress tonight vs. the Red Wings. Head coach Barry Trotz said that Cizikas could be back for Thursday's game vs. the Rangers.
Rittich surrendered four goals on 34 shots in the Flames win in Minnesota on January 5th. Cam Talbot has started the last three games, so they'll get Rittich a game tonight so he doesn't sit too long. The 27-year-old is 9-6-2 with a 2.87 GAA, .913 SV% and one shutout on the road and gets set to face a Montreal team that has lost five in a row while scoring just 1.60 goals per game on home ice.
Hogberg allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Senators' loss to Montreal on Saturday. He’s winless in his last four starts but has played well recently, stopping 59 of the last 64 shots (.922 SV%) that he has faced. He is 1-0-2 with a 3.14 GAA and .900 SV% on home ice and faces a Blackhawks team that is finding their game, going 5-3-0 with 3.63 goals per game in their last eight.
Panik was high sticked by Miles Wood on Saturday and said: "his lower lip was separated from his gums." While that sounds awful, in typical hockey player fashion, Panik will not miss a game. He's had a tough offensive campaign but has three goals and three assists (six points) in his last 13 games.
Cizikas was forced to leave Saturday's game after taking a David Pastrnak shot to the groin area in overtime. Cizikas was not on the ice for Monday's morning skate and is being listed as a game-time decision.
Varlamov allowed three goals on 33 shots in the Islanders loss to the Bruins on Saturday. Varlamov continues to play very well as the Islanders' No.1 netminder, going 3-2-1 with a 1.84 GAA, .940 SV% and one shutout in his last six starts. Tonight he faces a Rangers team that has won four in a row while scoring 5.25 goals per game on home ice.
Rittich surrendered four goals on 34 shots in the Flames win in Minnesota on January 5th. Cam Talbot has started the last three games, so they'll get Rittich a game tonight so he doesn't sit too long. The 27-year-old is 9-6-2 with a 2.87 GAA, .913 SV% and one shutout on the road and gets set to face a Montreal team that has lost five in a row while scoring just 1.60 goals per game on home ice.
With Mackenzie Blackwood hurt and Louis Domingue starting last night, it's entirely possible that Schneider will start tonight vs. the Lightning. However, Domingue played well last night, it is his former team in town and the guy who stole his job is probably starting, so it could be Domingue on back-to-back nights. Schneider has had a tough time in the AHL so far, going 4-4-0 with a 3.00 GAA and .894 SV% in eight starts.
Hogberg allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Senators shootout loss in Detroit last night. It was a strong enough outing for head coach D.J. Smith to go back to the 25-year-old tonight vs. the struggling Canadiens. Montreal is riding an eight-game losing streak while scoring just 2.50 goals per game during the stretch.
Varlamov stopped all 32 shots that he faced in the Islanders shutout win over the Avalanche on Monday. It was a terrific outing for Varlamov, who was facing his former team for the first time. Varlamov has gone 3-2-0 with a 1.62 GAA and .947 SV% inn his last five starts and stopped 27 of 29 shots in a 3-2 shootout win in his first start vs. the Bruins this season.
