Watson will play for the first time since January 21st as head coach Jon Cooper looks to get some fresh legs into the lineup for the tail-end of Tampa's back-to-back. Watson has two goals and one assist in 26 games this season.
Chiarot has not played since January 19th, missing five games with an upper-body injury, but could return to the lineup as soon as Saturday. Chiarot has 12 points (3G / 9A), 84 hits, and 93 blocks in 45 games this season and will likely replace Justin Holl when he is ready to return.
Kane has not played since January 14th but appears ready to return to the Red Wings lineup on Saturday. The 35-year-old Kane has been a major contributor in the Red Wings offence, scoring 16 points (7G / 9A) and tallying 63 shots in 19 games.
Lyon has emerged as the go-to guy between the pipes for the Red Wings and will start on Saturday when the team returns to the ice for their first game since the All-Star break. Lyon has a 2.51 GAA and .922 SV% in 21 games (13-6-2) but will be hard-pressed for a victory against the high-scoring Vancouver Canucks.
Mrazek will continue his reign over the Blackhawks crease on Wednesday, starting for the third straight game. The Czech netminder has played exceptionally lately but has failed to receive any goal support from his teammates. In Mrazek's last three starts (0-3-0), he has allowed two goals or fewer in each game, posting an excellent .946 SV%, but the Blackhawks have been outscored 6-0 in that time. The Blackhawks enter Wednesday's matchup against the Minnesota Wild as +180 home underdogs.
Smith has played in all but four games for Dallas in 2023-24 but will head to the press box as a healthy scratch Wednesday as he is replaced by Ty Dellandrea vs. Toronto. The 34-year-old has been a solid offensive contributor on Dallas' fourth line this season with four goals, 10 points, 73 SOG, 23 PIMs and a +4 plus/minus in 46 games.
Mrazek will continue his reign over the Blackhawks crease on Wednesday, starting for the third straight game. The Czech netminder has played exceptionally lately but has failed to receive any goal support from his teammates. In Mrazek's last three starts (0-3-0), he has allowed two goals or fewer in each game, posting an excellent .946 SV%, but the Blackhawks have been outscored 6-0 in that time. The Blackhawks enter Wednesday's matchup against the Minnesota Wild as +180 home underdogs.
Rafferty had two goals, 14 assists, six PIMs and a +4 plus/minus in 38 games played with Grand Rapids (AHL), and was called up by the Red Wings last week but served as a healthy scratch. The 28-year-old defenseman last appeared in the NHL in 2020-21 with Vancouver and has an assist in three career NHL games played.
Lyon will return to the crease for the seventh straight game on Wednesday as the Red Wings look to extend their winning streak to three games before the All-Star break. Lyon has been exceptional during his two-game winning streak, saving 58 of 60 shots (.967 SV%), including one shutout. The Red Wings are -120 home favourites against an Ottawa Senators club with points in six of their last seven outings (4-1-2).
Kane was on the ice for Tuesday's practice but the team has elected to keep him out until after the All-Star break. Expect him to return to the lineup next Saturday vs. the Canucks. Kane has picked up seven goals and nine assists (16 points) in 19 games since joining the Red Wings.
Talbot will likely start his second straight game after serving as the backup in the previous three. Talbot has failed to win a game since December, losing nine straight (0-6-3), posting an ugly .887 SV%. The Kings' only two wins in the last month have been with David Rittich between the pipes. As such, Talbot and the Kings are +123 road underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche squad riding a two-game winning streak.
Talbot will likely start his second straight game after serving as the backup in the previous three. Talbot has failed to win a game since December, losing nine straight (0-6-3), posting an ugly .887 SV%. The Kings' only two wins in the last month have been with David Rittich between the pipes. As such, Talbot and the Kings are +123 road underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche squad riding a two-game winning streak.
Smith will retake his place on the Stars' fourth line as Ty Dellandrea will sit. Smith has five goals and three assists in 43 games this season.
With the Blackhawks on the back end of their road back-to-back games, Petr Mrazek will take the net Thursday in Edmonton. The 31-year-old is fresh off of signing a two-year, $8.5 million contract on Wednesday and has a 12-17-1 record, 3.01 GAA and .907 SV%. He takes on the red-hot Edmonton Oilers, who are on a historic 14 game winning streak and rank fourth in the NHL in goals per game (3.51).
