Murray allowed two goals on 27 shots before leaving the crease and being replaced by Marc-Andre Fleury, who ended up recording the win. The Penguins did not have an update on Murray postgame, but expect them to provide and update in the next day or two.
Barkov played 9:05 TOI before retiring to the dressing room in the Panthers’ shootout loss to the Maple Leafs. Panthers’ head coach Tom Rowe did not have an update on Barkov postgame, but he is considered questionable for Thursday’s game vs. the Canadiens. If he doesn’t play, expect Vincent Trocheck to play a significant role.
Smith allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Coyotes’ loss to the Stars on Tuesday. Smith has lost five consecutive games in regulation while posting a 3.06 GAA and .891 SV%. Tonight he will face the Rangers for the first time this season—the veteran netminder has gone 4-6-2 with a 2.76 GAA and .921 SV% on home-ice this season.
Bibeau allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Maple Leafs loss to Colorado on December 11th. Bibeau was supposed to get a start before the Christmas break, but it never happened, so we’ll see if Mike Babcock will stick to his guns and start Bibeau tonight in Tampa Bay. Bibeau has gone 7-7-1 with a 2.46 GAA and .908 SV% in 16 starts with the Marlies this season.
The Blackhawks have a tough salary-cap situation, which is why they couldn’t give more term to Panarin. The young Russian winger has picked up 15 goals and 22 assists (37 points) in 37 games this season and has 114 points (45G / 69A) in 117 career NHL games.
Stoner has been sidelined since November 15th and will miss at least one more month. Expect Stoner to be back in late-January, early-February.
Montour, 22, was a second round pick in 2014 (55th overall) and could make his NHL debut during the Ducks’ two-game road trip. He has been called up because Sami Vatanen is sick and will not be available on Thursday or Friday. Montour has seven goals and 14 assists (21 points) in 25 games with San Diego this season.
Vatanen missed Tuesday’s game vs. the Sharks android not travel to Western Canada for the Ducks’ two-game road trip. With Vatanen sidelined, Korbinian Holzer is expected to be in the lineup again. Monitor his status prior to Sunday’s game vs. the Flyers.
Budaj stopped all 28 shots that he faced in the Kings’ shutout win in Nashville last Thursday. Budaj is now 3-1-2 with a 1.90 GAA and .931 SV% in the month of December. The 34-year-old won his first start vs. the Canucks and comes into tonight’s meeting in Vancouver with a 5-6-2 record, 1.92 GAA and .929 SV% on the road this season.
Miller allowed four goals on 25 shots in the Canucks’ loss to the Jets last Thursday. Miller has lost three of his last four starts while posting an ugly 4.24 GAA and .850 SV%. Jacob Markstrom has played much better as of late, but Miller is expected to go tonight vs. the Kings. The veteran is 5-4-1 with a 2.57 GAA and .908 SV% on home-ice.
Maatta did not travel to New Jersey for Tuesday's game and will also miss tonight's game at home vs. the Hurricanes. The Penguins will get Trevor Daley back to replace Brian Dumoulin, who broke his jaw last night. Maatta is considered day-to-day.
Daley skated during Tuesday’s morning skate in a no contact jersey, but is ready to rejoin the lineup tonight after missing the last five games with an upper-body injury. Daley was originally listed as week-to-week, so his return to the lineup comes as a bit of a surprise. With Kris Letang, Olli Maatta and Brian Dumoulin all out, Daley will likely play a big role in his first game back. He has three goals and eight assists (11 points) in 31 games this season.
Murray allowed six goals on 23 shots in the Penguins’ loss in Columbus on Thursday. It was Murray’s worst outing of the season and it came against the hottest team in the league. Tonight he faces the Hurricanes on home-ice, where he is 7-0-1 with a 1.83 GAA and .943 SV% this season. Murray is a must-start in all formats.
Budaj stopped all 28 shots that he faced in the Kings’ shutout win in Nashville last Thursday. Budaj is now 3-1-2 with a 1.90 GAA and .931 SV% in the month of December. The 34-year-old won his first start vs. the Canucks and comes into tonight’s meeting in Vancouver with a 5-6-2 record, 1.92 GAA and .929 SV% on the road this season.
Smith left Tuesday’s game with an injury and the Senators announced that he will miss at least two games with an abdominal strain. With Smith out, the Senators have recalled Casey Bailey from Binghamton (AHL) to take his spot.
Luongo allowed three goals on 39 shots in the Panthers’ shootout loss to the Red Wings last Friday. Luongo has lost three of his last four starts while posting a 3.47 GA and .887 SV%. Bobby Lu has gone 3-3-3 across nine December starts and tonight he faces the Maple Leafs for the second time—he allowed three goals on 28 shots in a 3-2 loss in the first meeting.
Sekera missed Wednesday’s practice with an illness and will be reevaluated on Thursday morning and is considered a game-time decision vs. the Kings. Monitor his status during tomorrow’s morning skate.
Couturier will be back in the Flyers’ lineup tonight and will skate on the third line with Nick Cousins and Dale Weise. Couturier is an excellent two-way centre and enters Wednesday with eight points (5G / 3A) in 20 games this season.
