Rielly will miss his sixth straight game with a lower-body injury. He took part in Monday’s practice and Tuesday’s morning skate, so it looked like he was going to play, but his return won’t come until Thursday at the earliest.
Bortuzzo has appeared in the last eight games, but will be scratched for Carl Gunnarsson tonight. Bortuzzo has just one goal and two assists in 19 games this season.
Gunnarsson has had a hard time sticking in the lineup, but will be back in the lineup for the third time in five games. He has just three assists in 31 games this season, but will replace Robert Bortuzzo tonight.
Neil was a healthy scratch last Thursday vs. the Flames, but will get back into the lineup tonight in Florida. Neil has just one goal and two assists (three points) in 45 games this season, but he will replace Curtis Lazar tonight.
Lazar hasn’t played over 10 minutes in 14 of the last 15 games and has just one assist in 27 games this season. Chris Neil will take Lazar’s spot in the lineup.
Rinne allowed three goals on 33 shots in the Predators’ win over the Blue Jackets last Thursday. Rinne has won three in a row while posting an impressive 2.27 GAA and .920 SV%. The veteran netminder has been great in January (6-2-1), but will be a risky start tonight in Pittsburgh. The Penguins lead the NHL in scoring and have won four of the last six.
Andersen stopped all 22 shots that he faced in the Maple Leafs’ shutout win in Detroit last Wednesday. Andersen has pitched back-to-back shutouts, stopping all 48 shots that he has faced. Tonight he’ll take on a Stars team that is tied for 14th in the NHL in scoring (2.70 GF/PG) and Andersen is 9-3-5 with a 2.38 GAA and .929 SV% on the road.
Condon allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Senators’ loss to the Flames last Thursday. Craig Anderson is back with the team, but Condon will start tonight in Florida—he has gone 7-4-0 with a 2.54 GAA and .913 SV% on the road this season and posted a 24-save shutout in his first start vs. the Panthers this season.
Josi will miss his eighth consecutive game with an upper-body injury, but he is nearing a return, so monitor his status prior to Thursday’s game against the Oilers.
With Andrei Markov set to return on Tuesday, Zach Redmond was waived on Monday and will be sent to St. John’s. Redmond had just five assists in 16 games this season.
Faksa missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, but will be back in tonight vs. Toronto. Faksa has six goals and 16 assists (22 points) in 48 games this season.
Rask allowed three goals on 22 shots in the Bruins’ win over the Penguins last Thursday. He has won two in a row despite allowing three goals in each start and allowing three-plus goals in six of his last eight starts. Tonight will be his third start vs. the Lightning—he has gone 2-0-0 with a 1.92 GAA and .934 SV% in the first two meetings.
Ward allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Hurricanes’ loss to the Kings last Thursday. Ward has lost four consecutive games while posting an ugly 5.47 GAA and .832 SV%. Tonight he will make his 42nd start of the season and second versus the Flyers—he allowed four goals on 28 shots in a 4-3 loss back in October.
Mason stopped all 34 shots that he faced in the Flyers’ shutout win in New York last Wednesday. Michal Neuvirth started on Thursday, but Mason will go again tonight in Carolina. He appears to have turned a corner having stopped 70 of the last 72 shots (.972 SV%) he has faced en route to two straight victories.
Lundqvist allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Rangers’ loss to the Flyers last Wednesday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Lundqvist, who has found his stride again. Over his last four starts, Lundqvist has given up just six goals on 110 shots (.946 SV%). He has gone 1-1-0 with a 3.53 GAA and .883 SV% vs. the Blue Jackets this season.
Korpisalo stopped all five shots that he faced after replacing Sergei Bobrovsky in the Blue Jackets’ loss in Brooklyn last Tuesday. Korpisalo has gone 2-1-0 with a 3.43 GAA and .893 SV% in four games since being called up. He draws a terrible matchup vs. a high-scoring Rangers team that has won three of their last four.
Schneider stopped all 18 shots that he faced after replacing Keith Kinkaid in the Devils’ loss to the Capitals last Thursday. Schneider has gone 4-3-2 with a 2.09 GAA and .931 SV% in 10 games in January and tonight he makes his second start vs. Detroit. He was shelled for five goals on 33 shots in an OT loss in the first meeting.
Carlson missed the last six games with a lower-body injury, but will return to the lineup tonight in Brooklyn. Carlson will be on the top pair with Karl Alzner, but won’t return to the top power play. He has 25 points (5G / 20A) in 43 games this season.
Schneider stopped all 18 shots that he faced after replacing Keith Kinkaid in the Devils’ loss to the Capitals last Thursday. Schneider has gone 4-3-2 with a 2.09 GAA and .931 SV% in 10 games in December and tonight he makes his second start vs. Detroit. He was shelled for five goals on 33 shots in an OT loss in the first meeting.
Smith has been out since January 4th, but is expected to play either Friday vs. the Islanders or Saturday in Nashville. When Smith returns, the Red Wings will likely need to waive on of their nine defensemen to make room for him.
