Kucherov has been dealing with an injury since Tuesday and it forced him to leave the morning skate early, but there's still a chance that Kucherov could play tonight. He is listed as a game-time decision, so monitor his status when the Lightning hit the ice for warmups.
Mason allowed two goals on 23 shots in the Flyers’ win over the Stars on Saturday. Anthony Stolarz got the nod on Sunday, but the Flyers will go back to Mason tonight in Colorado. He is riding a seven-game winning streak and has posted a 2.23 GAA and .930 SV% over that stretch. Tonight’s matchup looks appealing, but Mason has gone just 3-4-1 on the road.
Lundqvist allowed four goals on 32 shots in the Rangers’ loss in Brooklyn on December 6th. Antti Raanta started the last four games, but they’ll go back to Lundqvist tonight in Dallas. King Henrik has gone 3-4-1 with a 3.04 GAA and .902 SV% in his last eight starts, but that week off should have helped him reset.
Johnson allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Flames’ win over the Jets on Saturday. Johnson has won six consecutive games while posting an unreal 1.48 GAA, .951 SV% and one shutout. What a revelation Johnson has been this season and he is a must-start regardless of matchup until he cools down.
Quick’s original timetable was three months, which would have seen him return in mid-January, but Quick will be out closer to five months according to GM Dean Lombardi. The GM also added that they’re not ready “to throw the kitchen sink” at team’s goaltending problems, which means that they should continue to roll with Peter Budaj and Jeff Zatkoff in net.
Howard allowed four goals on 19 shots in the Red Wings’ loss to the Coyotes on Tuesday. It was a rare rough outing for Howard, who has been one of the best goalies in the NHL this season. Tonight he will face a Kings team that has lost four of their last six games—Howard is 2-4-1 despite posting a 1.65GAA and .944 SV% on home-ice.
Mazanec, 25, and Juuse Saros continue to swap places to ensure each netminder gets playing time. Mazanec has gone 3-1-1 with a 2.73 GAA and .886 SV% in five games with Milwaukee and is 0-2-0 with a 4.73 GAA and .839 SV% with the Predators.
Saros, 21, and Marek Mazanec continue to flip-flop between the AHL and NHL. Saros has gone 1-2-0 with a 1.70 GAA and .940 SV% in three games with the Predators. During his time in Milwaukee the former fourth round pick has gone 11-2-0 with a 1.76 GAA and .938 SV% in 13 starts.
Rask stopped 30 of 31 shots in the Bruins’ overtime win in Montreal on Monday. It was a great outing for Rask, who has three wins, a 2.27 GAA and .911 SV% in his last six starts. Tonight he draws a brutal matchup in Pittsburgh. The Penguins are riding a six-game winning streak and have averaged 5.83 goals per game over that stretch.
Murray stopped all 32 shots that he faced in the Penguins’ shutout win over the Avalanche on Monday. Murray has won four straight games while posting a 1.98 GAA, .931 SV% and one shutout. Murray has asserted himself as the top option in the Penguins’ crease and is a great option while they’re scoring at an insane rate.
Gazdic has two assists and 19 penalty minutes in 13 games with Albany. The Devils have recalled him likely to get him into the lineup vs. a heavy St. Louis team on Thursday.
Auvitu has had a strong rookie season and has recorded two goals and two assists (four points) in 23 games with the Devils. He has been sent to Albany with Luke Gazdic coming the other way.
Witkowski had one assist in his last four games and has just that one assist in eight games with the Lightning this season. The 26-year-old returns to Syracuse, where he has three assists in 11 games this season.
Conacher has picked up four goals and 11 assists (15 points) in 18 games with Syracuse this season. He failed to pick up a point in his only game with the Lightning this season.
Murray stopped all 32 shots that he faced in the Penguins’ shutout win over the Avalanche on Monday. Murray has won four straight games while posting a 1.98 GAA, .931 SV% and one shutout. Murray has asserted himself as the top option in the Penguins’ crease and is a great option while they’re scoring at an insane rate.
Grzelcyk, 22, was a third round pick (85th overall) in 2012 and he could make his NHL debut tonight in Pittsburgh. Grzelcyk has one goal and 11 assists (12 points) in 25 games with Providence this season.
Lazar has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury, but will be back in the lineup vs. the Sharks. In nine games sine being called-up, Lazar has no points, two penalty minutes and nine shots.
Versteeg has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury but is nearing a return, so there’s a chance that he plays vs. the Lightning. Versteeg has 11 points (4G / 7A) in 19 games this season.
Semyon Varlamov will not suit up for Wednesday's game because of a groin injury, so Martin has been recalled and will serve as Calvin Pickard's backup. The 21-year-old netminder has gone 11-7-0 with a 2.31 GAA ad .924 SV% in 18 games with San Antonio.
Varlamov is coming off of his best performance of the season, having stopped 51 shots in a win over the Maple Leafs. Varlamov is dealing with a groin injury and will not dress for Wednesday’s game. In his absence, Calvin Pickard will get the start and Spencer Martin has been recalled to be the backup.
