Rinne allowed just one goal on 33 shots, but was on the wrong end of a 2-0 final on Saturday vs. the Sharks. Rinne certainly can’t be to blame for the loss. He had a great road-trip, winning two of three while stopping 89 of 91 (.978 SV%) shots that he faced. Tonight the Predators will host the Bruins—Rinne is 11-2-1 with a 1.88 GAA and .928 SV%.
Pavelec allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Jets OT loss to the Avalanche on Thursday. Michael Hutchinson did not have his strongest game on Saturday, so it looks like it will be Pav tonight vs. Buffalo. What was once a must-start matchup has become a little less certain with the Sabres recent stretch of hot play.
Raanta stopped 23 of 24 shots in Sunday’s 2-1 win over the Flames. After watching Scott Darling make four straight starts, Raanta will get back-to-back starts as he takes on Minnesota tonight. He is 4-2-0 with a 1.85 GAA and .944 SV% on the season.
Andersen stopped 27 of 28 shots in the Ducks win over the Jets on Saturday. He was won an impressive seven starts in a row with a 2.40 GAA and .914 SV%. He will look to keep it going tonight in Toronto. The Ducks and the Maple Leafs are two of the NHL’s hottest teams, so it should be great battle.
Liles is dealing with gastrointestinal issues according to coach Peters. Monitor Liles’ status during pre-game warmups.
Tyutin has been out with a lower-body injury since November 14th, but will be back in the lineup vs. Detroit. Tyutin has registered two assists in 16 games this season. Expect Kevin Connauton to take a seat.
Rychel played 10:10 and did not record a point in his only game during his most recent call-up. With the addition of Jeremy Morin on Monday and Fedor Tyutin ready to be activated from IR, Rychel has been squeezed back to the AHL.
Morin will skate on the Blue Jackets third line with Nick Foligno and Brian Gibbons. With Morin entering the lineup, Kerby Rychel will come out of the lineup.
Ward surrendered two goals on 27 shots in the Hurricanes loss to the Lightning on Thursday. Ward has lost his last three games with a 2.39 GAA and .892 SV%. Tonight he draws a tough matchup in Montreal. Ward is a rough 3-7-0 on the road this season.
According to coach Bill Peters, McClement is battling gastrointestinal issues and may not be in the lineup tonight. If McClement can’t go expect Jay Harrison will dress and the Hurricanes to go with seven defensemen.
After a two-game absence over the weekend, DeKeyser will be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Blue Jackets. DeKeyser will skate with Kyle Qunicey on the second pairing. He has one goal and 10 assists in 29 games this season.
Head coach Mike Babcock said on Monday that he expected to have Abdelkader back in the lineup tonight and he will return after missing the last seven games with a separated shoulder. Abdelkader will skate on the Red Wings’ top line with Henrik Zetterberg and Gustav Nyquist. He has 15 points (7G / 8A) in 24 games this season.
Luongo stopped 29 of 31 shots in the Panthers 3-2 shootout win over the Red Wings on Friday. He was given Saturday night off, but he will be back in tonight vs.the Capitals. Luongo enters play tonight having won three of five with a 2.51 GAA and .912 SV%.
Barkov has missed the last six games with a hand injury that he suffered on December 1st. With Barkov returning, Vincent Trochek is expected to take a seat and could be headed back to San Antonio. Barkov has had a slow start, posting just two goals and two assists in 19 games.
Upshall has been out of the lineup since November 24th with an ankle injury. With Upshall returning, Brandon Pirri is expected to come out of the lineup. Upshall has seven points (3G / 4A) in 17 games this season.
Luongo stopped 29 of 31 shots in the Panthers 3-2 shootout win over the Red Wings on Friday. He was given Saturday night off, but it looks like he will be back in tonight vs.the Capitals. Luongo enters play tonight having won three of five with a 2.51 GAA and .912 SV%.
This was foreshadowed by Franzen missing Monday’s practice and this morning’s game day skate. GM Ken Holland confirmed that he will not play tonight and Daniel Cleary will remain in the lineup.
Weiss will miss his second straight game tonight. They have placed him on IR to make room for Xavier Ouellet to stay with the club. There is still no timetable for Weiss’ return, but his placement on IR means he will miss at least tonight’s game, but he is eligible to return on Thursday.
Tatar missed Monday's practice with an illness, but he is back on the ice for the this morning's gameday skate, so he should be good to go tonight vs. the Blue Jackets.
Franzen missed Monday’s practice and is not on the ice this morning, which puts his status for tonight’s game in jeopardy. Expect an update from coach Mike Babcock following the morning skate. If he can not go, Daniel Cleary will remain in the lineup.
