Marchenko has missed the last eight games with a shoulder injury and is expected to miss Wednesday’s game in Anaheim, but is expected to play Thursday in Los Angeles. Marchenko has five assists in 22 games this season.
Zolnierczyk has 16 points (6G / 10A) in 24 games with Milwaukee this season. He failed to pick up a point in his lone NHL game this season and just nine points (5G / 4A) in 61 career NHL games.
Gabriel, 23, as split his season between the NHL and AHL. The former third round pick (81st overall in 2013) has one assist and 24 PIMS in 10 games with Minnesota and five points (4G / 1A) and 35 PIMS in 22 games with Iowa.
Holtby allowed one goal on 24 shots in the Capitlals’ win over the Senators on Sunday. Holtby has gone 2-2-2 with a 1.64 GAA, .940 SV% and one shutout and tonight he will make his 29th start of the season. Holtby struggled in his first outing vs. the Maple Leafs, allowing four goals on 37 shots in a 4-2 loss.
Boyle left last Saturday’s game with a lower-body injury and will miss tonight’s game vs. the Jets. Head coach Jon Cooper didn’t sound optimistic that Boyle would be available for Thursday either. Adam Erne could make his NHL debut on Tuesday with Boyle out.
Ward allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Hurricanes’ loss in Tampa Bay last Saturday. Ward has won four of his last six games while posting a 1.99 GAA and .925 SV% and he is expected to make his 13th consecutive start tonight vs. the Devils. The 32-year-old is 9-2-1 with a 1.91 GAA and .931 SV% in 13 starts at PNC Arena this season.
Mueller has eight assists in 25 games with the Barracuda this season. The No.18 pick in 2013 has been recalled because Marc-Edouard Vlasic (face) was placed on IR on Monday and David Schlemko (upper-body) is questionable to play vs. the Kings, so Mueller could make his season debut. The 21-year-old has one goal and three assists (four points) in 50 career NHL games.
Schlemko suffered an upper-body injury on Saturday night and is questionable for tonight’s game vs. the Kings. With Marc-Edouard Vlasic out and Schlemko questionable, Mirco Mueller has been recalled and could make his season debut on Tuesday.
Vlasic was hit in the face with a shot last Friday and was placed on IR yesterday so they could recall Mirco Mueller from San Jose (AHL). Vlasic is expected to miss at least the next two games, but should be able to return shortly after that.
Motte, 21, has scored four goals with three assists in 32 games with the Blackhawks this season. Motte started the year with the Blackhawks, so he heads to Rockford for the first time this season. He had five points (2G / 3A) in five AHL games a season ago.
Altshuller, 22, has gone 1-2-0 with a 3.44 GAA and .884 SV% in three games with Charlotte this season. With Eddie Lack battling a concussion, Altshuller has been recalled and is expected to be Cam Ward’s backup tonight.
Lack has not appeared in a game since November 10th because of a concussion, but was said to be cleared and close to a return, but it sounds like he suffered another concussion and will be sidelined indefinitely again. Daniel Altshuller has been recalled from Charlotte (AHL).
Faulk has missed the last three games and is expected to miss his fourth consecutive game on Tuesday. Faulk’s loss is huge for the Hurricanes, so potentially getting him back at the end of the week is huge news for the Canes and Faulk owners alike.
Lindholm missed Saturday’s game in Tampa Bay, but head coach Bill Peters said Lindholm is “close” and could go through the morning skate on Tuesday. Lindholm has scored two goals with two assists in his last three games, but if he can’t go vs. the Devils tonight, Andrej Nestrasil will remain on a line with Jordan Staal.
Shaw has missed the last eight games with a concussion and will miss No.9 on Tuesday as he stays back in Montreal while the team travels to Nashville. He’s obviously expected to miss a 10th straight game on Wednesday as well.
Pickard allowed six goals on 37 shots in Colorado’s loss to the Rangers on Saturday night. Pickard has lost his last three starts while allowing a combined 15 goals on 101 shots (.852 SV%). Pickard was 2-7-0 with a 3.72 GAA and .883 SV% in nine December starts. Despite a nice matchup tonight, he is a rough starting option.
Pickard allowed six goals on 37 shots in Colorado’s loss to the Rangers on Saturday night. Pickard has lost his last three starts while allowing a combined 15 goals on 101 shots (.852 SV%). Pickard was 2-7-0 with a 3.72 GAA and .883 SV% in nine December starts. Despite a nice matchup tonight, he is a rough starting option.
Miller allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Canucks win over the Ducks last Thursday. Miller has won his last two starts while stopping 60 of 63 shots (.952 SV%). Miller hasn’t had the best season to date, but he’s playing well recently and draws a great matchup against an Avalanche team that has lost eight of their last nine games.
