Garland was “sent” to the AHL on Wednesday in a paper move before the NHL roster freeze but returns ahead of Thursday’s game. Garland has not recorded a point but has 16 shots on goal while averaging 13:11 TOI/gm in six games.
Bishop stopped all 21 shots that he faced in the Stars shutout win over the Flames on Tuesday. Bishop left the game briefly but returned to complete the team shutout. Bishop has gone 3-3-0 with a 2.38 GAA and .922 SV% in December and is a must-start tonight vs. the Blackhawks. The 32-year-old is 7-2-1 with a 2.02 GAA and .935 SV% on home-ice.
Rittich stopped 26 of 28 shots in the Flames loss in Dallas on Tuesday. It was still a strong performance but the loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Rittich, who has allowed just seven goals on the last 126 shots (.944 SV%) that he has faced. Rittich is 5-0-1 with a 3.09 GAA and .881 SV% in seven appearances at the Scotiabank Saddledome this year.
Bjugstad took part in the Panthers morning skate but will not play Thursday against Toronto. Bjugstad could potentially return on Saturday, which would force the Panthers to demote a forward.
Duchene has missed the last six games with a lower-body injury but will play Friday vs. the Devils. Duchene has had an outstanding season to date, picking up 12 goals and 22 assists (34 points) in 29 games before getting injured.
Kinkaid was pulled after he allowed five goals on 21 shots in the Devils blowout loss to the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Kinkaid was given last night off, so he will start tonight vs. the Senators. The 29-year-old has gone 2-3-2 with a 3.64 GAA and .878 SV% in December.
Pominville was forced to leave Tuesday’s game vs. the Panthers after a collision with teammate Rasmus Ristolainen. Pominville is not expected to be in the lineup in Washington on Friday.
Tolvanen has two points (1G / 1A) in four games with the Predators and 12 points (4G / 8A) in 24 games with Milwaukee this season. Tolvanen had six points (1G / 5A) in five games with Finland at the World Juniors last year.
Rychel did not record a point while averaging 9:10 TOI/gm during his call-up. Rychel heads back to Stockton where he has 21 points (13G / 8A) in 25 games.
Robinson is a big winger (6-foot-6, 232 lbs.) has has 12 points (2G / 10A) and 20 PIMS in 26 games with Stockton this season. He has two points (1G / 1A) in seven career NHL games.
Lomberg has not registered a point in three games with the Flames this seaosn but has six points (2G / 4A) in 19 games with Stockton.
Santini was activated from IR on December 1st but hasn’t played since October 20th. Santini does not have a point in one NHL game or three AHL games.
Blackwood will make his first career NHL start tonight in the front-end of the Devils’ back-to-back. Blackwood was a second-round pick (No.42 overall) in 2015 and has gone 30-38-4 with a 2.91 GAA, .898 SV% and six shutouts in 83 AHL games. Sub-par AHL numbers and a tough road matchup in Columbus should keep Blackwood on the waiver wire.
Rinne allowed two goals on 36 shots in the Predators loss in Chicago on Tuesday. Rinne has dropped two straight starts but is 4-2-0 with a 2.67 GAA and .902 SV% in December. Tonight he faces a Flyers team that is under .500 and with a rookie netminder making his second career start. Rinne is 3-3-1 with a 2.43 GAA and .925 SV% on the road.
Sissons was forced to leave Tuesday’s game with an undisclosed injury and will not play Thursday in Philadelphia. Tyler Gaudet has been called up from Milwaukee (AHL) and is expected to replace Sissons in the lineup.
Halak stopped all 22 shots that he faced in the Bruins shutout win in Montreal on Monday. The performance ended an ugly four-game stretch for Halak, who comes into Thursday’s game at 6-0-0 with a 1.82 GAA, .945 SV% and one shutout on home-ice this season. He gets a tough opponent tonight, Anaheim enters play as winners of 11 of their last 14.
Luongo allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Panthers win in Buffalo on Tuesday. Luongo has won two straight while allowing just five goals on 64 shots (.922 SV%). Tonight he faces a high-powered Maple Leafs squad for the second time in a week. Luongo allowed three goals on 32 shots in a 4-3 overtime win vs. Toronto last Saturday.
Dubnyk gave up three goals on 24 shots in the Wild’s loss to the Sharks on Tuesday. Dubnyk has played well in his last four games despite losing two of them. Dubnyk has stopped 104 of the last 111 shots (.937 SV%) that he has faced. The 32-year-old heads into Thursday’s game in Pittsburgh at 5-5-0 with a 2.65 GAA and .909 SV% on the road this year.
Hart allowed two goals on 22 shots in the Flyers win over the Red Wings in his NHL debut. It was a nice start to his career and Hart will likely continue to start as long as he is playing well. Hart appears to be the Flyers last resort and the 20-year-old draws a tough matchup tonight with the Predators in town—Nashville is 22-11-2 and are averaging 3.06 goals for per game (tied for 12th).
Bobrovsky stopped all 28 shots that he faced in the Blue Jackets 1-0 shutout win over the Golden Knights on Monday. It was an impressive outing for Bobrovsky, who has gone 2-0-1 while stopping 77 of the last 80 shots (.963 SV%) that he has faced. Bobrovsky has played great as of late and has a great matchup tonight versus a Devils team that has lost 10 of their last 12 (2-5-5).
