Sean Durzi (upper body) will return from a multi-week absence on Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens, sending Simashev to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. Simashev, the first-year NHLer, is averaging 15:29 time-on-ice and has one assist in 22 games this season.
With Lukas Dostal (lower body) out day-to-day, Mrazek will be between the pipes on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks. Mrazek has showcased mixed results in limited action with the Ducks this season, posting a subpar 3.60 GAA and .886 SV%, but has salvaged a winning 3-2-0 record. The Ducks lead the Pacific Division and enter Wednesday's contest as -149 home favorites against a Canucks team on a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).
With Lukas Dostal (lower body) battling an injury, Anaheim has recalled Husso from the San Diego Gulls (AHL). The 30-year-old Husso is no stranger to the NHL, appearing in 145 games (71-46-19) with a 3.05 GAA and .901 SV%. That said, expect Husso to serve as the backup to Petr Mrazek during Dostal's absence.
Dostal is battling an upper-body injury and will miss at least one game. Expect Petr Mrazek to see the bulk of the action while Dostal is sidelined. The 25-year-old Dostal has a serviceable 2.81 GAA and .904 SV% in 17 games this season (11-5-1).
Scott Wedgewood has been the main story between the pipes for the Avalanche this season, stealing the spotlight from Blackwood, who has played well since making his debut at the beginning of the month. The 28-year-old Blackwood is coming off his best performance of the season, saving 35 shots in a 3-0 shutout win over the Nashville Predators. He has a 2.47 GAA and .911 SV% in four games (3-0-1) and will return to the crease on Wednesday against his former team, the San Jose Sharks. Colorado enters Wednesday's contest as enormous -374 home favorites against a Sharks team that defeated them 3-2 in overtime earlier this month.
Utah is riding a two-game winning streak and will likely roll with Vejmelka between the pipes on Wednesday on Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens. Vejmelka has been inconsistent this season, but has been excellent in his last two starts (2-0-0), saving 53 of 56 combined shots (.946 SV%). The 29-year-old Czech goalie has a 2.76 GAA and .889 SV% in 17 games this season (10-5-2). Utah enters Wednesday's contest as -134 home favorites against a Montreal team that has lost five of their last six (1-4-1).
Salamonsson was drafted in the second-round, 55th overall, by the Jets in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old Swedish defenseman has yet to play an NHL game. He made his North American professional debut last season in the AHL, scoring 27 points (5G / 22A) in 53 games with the Manitoba Moose.
The Sabres have alternated three goalies lately, but they have received strong play lately from Luukkonen, who will return to the crease for a third consecutive game. The 26-year-old Luukkonen saved 29 of 30 shots (.967 SV%) in his most recent outing, an impressive 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Luukkonen has a 2.40 GAA and .910 SV% in his last five games (3-2-0). The Sabres enter Wednesday's contest as +105 road underdogs against a Penguins team on a two-game losing skid (0-1-1).
The Blackhawks are in a three-game losing slump (0-3-0), but have continued to receive adequate goaltending from Knight, who has been one of the most consistent goalies in the NHL this season. The 24-year-old Knight was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 25 of 26 shots (.962 SV%), but received no goal support in a 1-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Knight has a solid 2.38 GAA and .924 SV% in 15 games this season (7-5-3). The Blackhawks enter Wednesday's contest as +116 home underdogs against a red-hot Wild team that is 8-1-1 in its last 10 games.
Quillan made his NHL debut last season, playing one game with the Maple Leafs, but has predominantly played at the AHL level. The undrafted 23-year-old forward has impressed with the Marlies (AHL) this season, scoring 14 points (2G / 12A) in 14 games.
Whether it has been Jesper Wallstedt or Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota has received tremendous netminding lately, leading them to a five-game winning streak. The 27-year-old Gustavsson is coming off a 19-save shutout, his second of the season, in a 5-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Gustavsson has a 2.79 GAA and .902 SV% in 15 games (6-7-2) and will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Minnesota enters the action as -128 road favorites against a Blackhawks team that has only scored six goals in its last three games (0-3-0).
Scott Wedgewood has been the main story between the pipes for the Avalanche this season, stealing the spotlight from Blackwood, who has played well since making his debut at the beginning of the month. The 28-year-old Blackwood is coming off his best performance of the season, saving 35 shots in a 3-0 shutout win over the Nashville Predators. He has a 2.47 GAA and .911 SV% in four games (3-0-1) and will return to the crease on Wednesday against his former team, the San Jose Sharks. Colorado enters Wednesday's contest as enormous -374 home favorites against a Sharks team that defeated them 3-2 in overtime earlier this month.
The Blues are coming off a 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers with Joel Hofer tending the twine, but they will revert to Binnington on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. The 32-year-old Binnington has been inconsistent this season, but has helped his team collect a point in four straight outings (2-0-2), posting a serviceable 2.80 GAA and .915 SV%. He has a 3.13 GAA and .880 SV% in 15 games this season (5-5-4). The Blues enter Wednesday's contest as +119 road underdogs against a Devils team that scored three or fewer goals in four of five games (2-3-0) since Jack Hughes (hand) has been sidelined.
Comrie has started both games since Connor Hellebuyck (knee) announced out for the next 4-6 weeks, but has not produced favourable results in those games (0-2-0), allowing seven goals on 58 combined shots (.879 SV%). The 30-year-old Comrie has a 2.87 GAA and .899 SV% through seven games this season (4-3-0). He has never started more than 20 games in a season, a total that he should have no problem surpassing in 2025-26. The Jets enter Wednesday's contest as +129 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team that has scored five or more goals in three of their last four games (3-1-0).
With several notable players returning from injury, Joshua will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch for the first time as a Maple Leaf. The 29-year-old Joshua has five points (2G / 3A), 69 hits, and -8 plus/minus in 22 games this season.
With several notable players returning from injury, Maccelli will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Maccelli was signed in the offseason to lessen the blow of losing Mitch Marner, but Maccelli has not been able to contribute anywhere near Marner's elite rate. Maccelli has nine points (4G / 5A) in 21 games this season.
With several notable players returning from injury, Blais will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 29-year-old Blais has seen limited action this season but has been effective in primarily a fourth-line role, tallying three points (1G / 2A) and 28 hits in eight games.
Roy has not played since suffering an upper-body injury on November 15th, but he has returned to practice and will return to the lineup as early as Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 28-year-old bottom-six forward has four points (1G / 3A) through 19 games in his first season with the Maple Leafs.
Burakovsky has not played in the Blackhawks' previous two games, but he could return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild. The 30-year-old Burakovsky had a career-high 61 points (22G / 39A) in 80 games with the Colorado Avalanche in the 2021-22 season, but has never come close to that total in other seasons. Playing predominantly alongside superstar Connor Bedar, Burakovsky has shown that evasive scoring tough through 18 games this season, scoring 15 points (7G / 8A).
Matthews has not played since suffering a lower-body injury from a Nikita Zadorov hit two weeks ago, but has been practicing for a week and will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 28-year-old Matthews has not been as dynamic as in previous seasons, but his goal-scoring prowess has been greatly missed by a Maple Leafs team that has lost seven of its last eight games (1-4-3). Matthews has 14 points (9G / 5A) through 17 games. Expect him to play on a line with Matthew Knies, who is also returning from a multi-game absence due to an injury.
