With Nazem Kadri out with a lower-body injury, Kamenev will play for the first time since January 20th. Kamenev, who will skate on the fourth line and likely PP2, has one goal and five assists (six points) in 23 games this season.
Varlamov allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Islanders 3-1 loss in Tampa Bay on Saturday. With Thomas Greiss starting last night in Washington, Varlamov is expected to go vs. the Flyers. Varlamov has lost five of his last six starts (1-4-1) while posting a 3.77 GAA and .881 SV%. In his first start vs. the Flyers, Varlamov allowed three goals on 31 shots in a 5-3 win (Oct.27).
Gibson allowed three goals on 27 shots in the Ducks loss in Montreal last Thursday. Since their bye week, Gibson has gone 2-2-1 with a 3.00 GAA and .892 SV% and draws a terrible matchup tonight with the Blues in town. Gibson is 1-1-0 while allowing just five goals on 72 shots (.931 SV%) in two games vs. St. Louis this season.
Smith became a regular in the Red Wings lineup during his call-up but has just three points (2G / 1A) in 21 games this season. With Anthony Mantha and Frans Nielsen back on Tuesday, Smith heads back to the AHL. He has 13 points (4G / 9A) in 24 games with Grand Rapids.
Hirose appeared in three games during his call-up but did not have a point while registering five shots on goal. He goes back to the AHL, where he has 19 points (4G / 15A) in 22 games.
Nielsen has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury but will play tonight in Buffalo. Nielsen has had a terrible year offensively, scoring just three goals with four assists (seven points) in 46 games. He'll replace Taro Hirose, who was sent back to the AHL.
As expected, Mantha will return to the Red Wings lineup on Tuesday. Mantha will replace Robby Fabbri, who is out with a jaw injury, and should skate on the top line with Dylan Larkin. Mantha has scored 12 goals with 12 assists (24 points) in 29 games this season.
Smith allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Oilers win over the Predators on Saturday. Smith has gone seven of his last eight starts (7-0-1) while posting a 2.59 GAA and strong .919 SV%. In his first start vs. the Blackhawks, Smith stopped 32 of 34 shots in a 3-1 loss in Chicago in late-October.
Grubauer allowed one goal on 32 shots in Colorado's win in Columbus on Saturday. Grubauer has won three straight while posting a 1.00 GAA and .963 SV%, including a win over the Senators, who he'll face again tonight. He's an obvious tonight and comes in at 8-5-2 with a 8-5-2 with a 2.87 GAA and .906 SV% on home ice.
With Darcy Kuemper suffering a setback prior to Monday's game and Antti Raanta starting last night, Hill will make his eighth start of the season tonight in Toronto. Hill has gone 2-3-2 with a 2.54 GAA and .918 SV% in his first 11 appearances (seven starts). The Maple Leafs are 7-2-1 with 4.30 goals per game in their last 10 home games.
Mrazek allowed six goals on 26 shots in the Hurricanes loss in St. Louis last Tuesday. Mrazek has stumbled in his last five starts, going 1-4-0 with a 3.26 GAA and .875 SV%. He has struggled more often than not in road games, going 4-7-2 with a 3.24 GAA and .888 SV% in 13 road games (12 starts).
McDavid left Monday's practice with what was originally called a "bruise" or "charley horse" but GM Ken Holland called it a quad injury on Tuesday. Missing 2-to-3 weeks would mean that McDavid will miss eight-to-13 games, which puts the Oilers playoff hopes in serious jeopardy.
Fleury allowed five goals on 34 shots in the Golden Knights loss to the Hurricanes on Saturday. Fleury has struggled recently, going 3-5-2 with a 2.90 GAA and .889 SV% in his last 10 starts. Tonight he faces the Wild for the second time this season--he stopped 24 of 26 shots in a 3-2 win in mid-December.
Hellebuyck allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Jets win over the Blackhawks on Sunday. Hellebuyck is off to a great start in February, going 3-0-1 with a 1.99 GAA and .942 SV%. Tonight he faces the Rangers for the first time since the season opener, where he gave up five goals on 31 shots in a 6-4 loss. The Rangers have lost six of their last nine road games (3-5-1) while scoring 2.67 goals per game.
Fabbri was forced to leave Sunday's game after taking a high hit by Chris Wagner and did not return. Head coach Jeff Blashill ruled Fabbri out for tonight's game in Buffalo but Anthony Mantha returns to take Fabbri's spot.
Galchenyuk was acquired from the Penguins on Monday night and will slot in for Jason Zucker in his debut. Galchenyuk, who is now with his fourth team in less than two years, had 17 points (5G / 12A) in 45 games with the Penguins this season. He'll skate with Luke Kunin and Mats Zuccarello at even strength and could see time on the second power-play unit.
Zucker, who was acquired from the Wild on Monday night, will make his debut on the Penguins' top line with Sidney Crosby. Zucker, who has scored 14 goals with 15 assists in 45 games this season, brings a ton of energy and skill to Crosby's wing, a spot where many have posted career years.
Stalock allowed two goals on 26 shots inn the Wild's win over the Canucks last Thursday. Devan Dubnyk started the last two games but Stalock will make his 26th start of the season tonight. Stalock has won four of his last five starts (4-1-0) while posting a 2.20 GAA, .913 SV% and one shutout. As well as he's played, he draws a terrible matchup with Vegas in town--they've scored 3.88 goals per game in their last eight games and will get William Karlsson back tonight.
Sekera was a healthy scratch for the last two games but will replace Roman Polak in the lineup on Tuesday. Sekera, who is not known for his offence, has scored two goals with three assists in his last 12 games.
Polak is believed to be a healthy scratch tonight vs. the Hurricanes, so Andrej Sekera will replace him on the back-end. Polak has no points and a minus-7 rating in his last 16 games.
