Johnston is one of a handful of lineup changes for the Ducks on Wednesday as they deal with a mix of injuries and illnesses. He has no goals and two assists in 26 games this season.
With Toronto playing their second game in as many nights when they travel to Anaheim on Wednesday, Sheldon Keefe is opting to get a pair of fresh legs into the lineup as Pontus Holmberg will draw into the lineup in place of Robertson. It's the first time Robertson has been listed as a healthy scratch since he was recalled from the Toronto Marlies (AHL) on November 6th. Robertson has five goals and six assists in 24 games this season.
Miller will re-enter the lineup in Washington in place of the injured Ondrej Palat (lower-body). Miller is expected to skate on the Devils' third pair while Brendan Smith will move upfront to play with the fourth line. Miller has no goals and one assist in 16 games this season.
With Toronto playing their second game in as many nights when they travel to Anaheim on Wednesday, Sheldon Keefe is opting to get a pair of fresh legs into the lineup as Holmberg will draw in while Nick Robertson is expected to be a healthy scratch. Holmberg has no goals and one assist in nine games this season.
Palat was a late scratch for Wednesday's game against the Capitals, with the team only announcing his absence about 30 minutes before puck drop. Palat has five goals and nine assists in 35 games this season. His next chance to return to the lineup will be on Friday when New Jersey hosts the Blackhawks.
Daws played well and collected a win in his season debut last week, saving 25 of 27 saved (.926 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. Daws' performance in his debut marked only the second time in the last eight games that a Devils goalie allowed fewer than three goals. Given the well-documented struggles of New Jersey's goaltending tandem of Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid, another strong performance for Daws on Wednesday could go a long way in securing him more playing time down the stretch. The Devils have lost both contests against the Washington Capitals this season (0-2-0), being outscored 10-6, but are -181 road favourites on Wednesday.
With Charlie Lindgren still unavailable due to an upper-body injury, it will be Hunter Shepard who gets the calls for the tail-end of Washington's back-to-back on Wednesday. Though it's just the fourth start of the season for the 28-year-old rookie, Shepard has performed well when called upon this season. He owns a .926 SV% and a 2.27 GAA to go along with his 2-0-1 record on the season. His last start came on Saturday where he stopped 34 of the 36 shots he faced before eventually falling to the Predators 3-2 in a shootout. Shepard will have his hands full tonight with the Capitals being +140 home underdogs to Jack Hughes and the Devils.
Jones will make the rare start on back-to-back nights for the Leafs on Wednesday as head coach Sheldon Keefe opts against handing an NHL debut to 22-year-old Dennis Hildeby. You can understand the rationale given Jones' dominance against the Kings on Tuesday, stopping all 31 shots he faced enroute to a 3-0 shutout victory in Los Angeles. Jones now owns an impressive .926 SV% on the season to go along with his 5-3-0 record. Even with the added fatigue of playing two games in as many nights, Jones and the Maple Leafs still find themselves as -210 favourites in Anaheim on Wednesday.
Hunt was recalled to fill the roster spot of Minnesota's captain, Jared Spurgeon, who was place on injured reserve Wednesday with an undisclosed injury. Hunt last appearance for the Wild came on December 21st. He has no goals and one assist in nine NHL games this season.
It's a tough blow to what's already been an injury riddled campaign for Minnesota's captain, as this marks the third separate injury Spurgeon has suffered through this season. Spurgeon has no goals and five assists in just 16 games on the year. The Wild recalled Daemon Hunt from Iowa (AHL) to fill Spurgeon's spot on the roster.
With the debut of Max Pacioretty incoming Wednesday Hendrix Lapierre will be the odd man out of the Capitals' forward lines vs. New Jersey. The 21-year-old centre has been enjoying a successful first full season in Washington, with two goals, four assists, 18 SOG, and a -1 plus/minus.
Edmundson will head to the press box Wednesday vs. New Jersey as he takes a maintenance game on the Capitals' second half of their back-to-back. The 30-year-old shutdown defensemen has a goal, an assist, and eight PIMs in 21 games played this season and will be replaced by Trevor van Riemsdyk Wednesday.
van Riemsdyk was a healthy scratch for the Capitals' first game of their back-to-back Tuesday but will draw back into the lineup Wednesday as they take on New Jersey. The 32-year-old will replace Joel Edmundson (maintenance) and will look to pick up his first goal to go alongside his six assists, 34 SOG, six PIMs and -6 plus/minus through 30 games played.
Karlsson had seven goals, 16 assists, 10 PIMs and +8 plus/minus through 25 games played with Abbotsford (AHL) and has been recalled to Vancouver for the second time this season. The 24-year-old last appeared on December 5th for the Canucks and has yet to pick up a point in three games and only 10:26 TOI/GP.
With the news of Tyler Pitlick (lower body) being out week-to-week, Brennan Othmann has been recalled from Hartford (AHL) for the first time in his career. The 20-year-old left-winger is the Rangers' 2021 first-round pick (16th overall) and had nine goals and 23 points in 28 games with Hartford prior to his promotion.
Pitlick left the Rangers' previous game vs. Carolina after just 6:58 TOI due to a lower-body injury and is now considered out week-to-week. The 32-year-old has struggled offensively in 2023-24, with only a goal, two assists, 28 SOG, four PIMs and a -1 plus/minus in 28 games prior to his injury. Pitlick will be replaced by top prospect Brennan Othmann in the Rangers' lineup which he is on the mend.
Lyon will make his fourth consecutive start between the Red Wing crease as he goes for his second-consecutive win after a 24 save (.889 SV%) victory over San Jose in his last start. The 31-year-old started the season as Detroit's third goaltender but has taken over the starting gig due to his strong play and 6-4-0 record, 2.53 GAA and .917 SV%. He will head to Los Angeles to take on the Kings, who have lost three straight games but are 10th in the NHL in goals per game (3.38).
Copp did not practice Wednesday due to a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision Thursday vs. Los Angeles as the team determines the severity of the ailment. The 29-year-old has struggled to live up to his decently sized contract as he only has five goals, 17 points, 68 SOG, 18 PIMs and a -4 plus/minus in 38 games played in 2023-24.
Holloway has been out since November 13th due to a lower-body injury but has been activated off the Long-Term Injured Reserve Wednesday and loaned to Bakersfield (AHL) for a conditioning stint. The 22-year-old sophomore got out to a bit of a slump prior to his injury as he had only a goal, no assists, 29 SOG, 13 PIMs and a -3 plus/minus in 14 games played.
Lindgren was originally considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury after leaving the Capitals' game Friday vs. the Islanders and has been placed on the Injured Reserve Wednesday. The injury comes at an unfortunate time for the 30-year-old who was having a surprise breakout season with his 7-3-3 record, .928 SV% and 2.27 GAA.
