Nick Jensen will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Kleven to return to the lineup against the Blue Jackets. The 23-year-old Kleven is averaging 17:05 time-on-ice and has five assists in 32 games this season.
With Linus Ullmark (personal) away from the team, Merilainen will jump into the starting position, beginning with Monday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Merilainen was serviceable in relief of Ullmark in Saturday's 7-5 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, saving 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%). The 23-year-old goalie has a 3.43 GAA and .874 SV% in 10 games this season (4-6-0). The Senators enter Monday's contest as sizable -207 home favorites against a Blue Jackets team that played last night, winning 4-2 over the New York Islanders.
The Jets went 3-8-1 in 12 games with Hellebuyck sidelined due to a knee injury, but unfortunately for them, their struggles have continued since Hellebuyck's return. The 32-year-old goalie has just one win since his return, posting a 2.70 GAA and .893 SV% in six games (1-2-3). The Jets enter Monday's contest as +114 home underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers team coming off a 3-2 loss to the Calgary Flames.
With Linus Ullmark on a personal leave of absence, Ottawa has recalled Shepard from Belleville (AHL) to serve as Leevi Merilainen's backup. The 30-year-old Shepard has a 3.16 GAA and .905 SV% in 11 games (5-5-1) with Belleville this season.
Bobrovsky's six-game winning streak was snapped on Saturday when he allowed three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%) in a 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Still, the 37-year-old goalie will return to the crease on Monday against the Washington Capitals, looking to build on his 2.79 GAA and .888 SV% through 26 games this season (16-9-1). The Panthers enter Monday's contest as -130 home favorites against a Capitals team that has lost six of their last eight games (2-4-2).
Seattle is riding a three-game winning streak and will turn to Grubauer on Sunday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 34-year-old goalie has a 2.59 GAA and .911 SV% in 11 appearances this season (5-3-1).
After Arvid Soderblom led the Blackhawks to a 4-3 shootout win last night over the Dallas Stars, the team will turn to Spencer Knight on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 24-year-old Knight has suffered a loss in four straight games (0-4-0), but is still sporting a solid 2.55 GAA and .914 SV% through 25 games this season (10-10-5).
Over the past month, John Gibson has earned himself more starts in the Red Wings’ crease, but the team will turn to Talbot on the tail end of a back-to-back on Sunday. The 38-year-old Talbot has a concerning 3.00 GAA and .887 SV% in 19 appearances (10-6-2), but was solid in his most recent outing, saving 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime win over the Washington Capitals.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Maple Leafs will turn to Hildeby on Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 24-year-old Hildeby was excellent as Toronto’s de facto starting goalie while Joseph Woll was injured, posting a 1.05 GAA and a .958 SV% in six outings (3-1-2), but has struggled since, losing three straight (0-3-0) while posting a 4.70 GAA and .928 SV%.
Vladar has been terrific for the Flyers this season and will likely return to the crease on Sunday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 28-year-old Czech goalie has a solid 2.39 GAA and .910 SV% in 21 games this season (13-5-3). He saved 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks in his final game before the Holiday Break.
