Stecher was claimed off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers over the weekend, and he will draw into the lineup for his Maple Leafs' debut on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues. Primarily a third-pairing defenseman with the Oilers, the 31-year-old Stecher averaged 13:37 time-on-ice through six games this season.
The Oilers' up-and-down season continues, but they have found a glimpse of consistency lately from Skinner, who will return to the crease on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 27-year-old Skinner has won three straight games, saving 71 of 79 shots (.899 SV%) in the process. He has a 2.77 GAA and .891 SV% in 14 games this season (7-4-3). The Oilers enter Monday's action as -155 road favorites against a Sabres team at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 6-8-4 record.
The Sabres snapped a three-game losing skid in their most recent game and will hope for consecutive victories, turning to Ellis between the pipes against the Edmonton Oilers. The 25-year-old Ellis has been serviceable through three games in his NHL career (2-1-0), posting a 3.36 GAA and .895 SV%. The Sabres enter Monday's contest as +138 home underdogs against an Oilers team that has won three of their last four (3-1-0).
Hunt is no stranger to the NHL, with 54 points (18G / 36A) in 235 career games, but has mostly been an AHL player the previous several seasons. The 29-year-old has 16 points (5G / 11A) in 15 games with the Wranglers (AHL) this season.
Morton made his NHL debut last season, playing one game with the Flames, but has otherwise exclusively played in the AHL. The undrafted 26-year-old has 12 points (4G / 8A) in 16 games this season with the Wranglers (AHL).
Zucker has missed Buffalo's last six games due to an illness, but was back at practice on Monday. The 33-year-old Zucker is averaging 14:44 time-on-ice, recording seven points (4G / 3A), 15 hits, and 27 shots in 12 games this season.
Norris has not played since suffering an injury in Buffalo's season opener, but was at practice on Monday. The 26-year-old Norris has missed significant time over the previous few seasons due to shoulder injuries but it's unclear if his current injury is related.
Carlson did not play in Washington's most recent game, but could return to the lineup on Monday against the Los Angels Kings. The 35-year-old Carlsson is off to his best start in recent years, scoring 14 points (4G / 10A) through 17 games.
McAvoy exited Boston's most recent game after only 13:41 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 27-year-old defenseman is still being evaluated, but there are some concerns that this could be a longer-term injury. He has 14 points (0G / 14A) through 19 games this season.
The Bruins' depleted forward core received more bad news over the weekend, with Arvidsson being sidelined week-to-week after suffering a lower-body injury. The 32-year-old Arvidsson was off to a reasonable start in his first season in Boston, scoring 10 points (6G / 4A) through 10 games.
With Kaiden Guhle (partially torn adductor muscle) out for 8-10 weeks, the Canadiens have recalled Del Gaizo from Laval (AHL). Del Gaizo played a career-high 46 games with the Nashville Predators last season, scoring nine points (2G / 7A), but was unable to crack Montreal's roster to start the season.
The 9-8-1 Panthers will turn to Bobrovsky on Monday against the 9-9-2 Vancouver Canucks. The 37-year-old Bobrovsky was serviceable in his most recent outing, saving 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%), but did not receive ample goal support, losing 3-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Bobrovsky has a 2.63 GAA and .893 SV% in 13 games this season (8-5-0). The Panthers enter Monday's contest as significant -282 home favorites against a Canucks team that erupted for five goals in the third period of their 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning last night.
With Eetu Luostarinen (lower body) sidelined, Gregor will draw back into Florida's lineup on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 27-year-old Gregor is averaging 8:32 time-on-ice and has five hits through five games this season.
Kesselring did not make his season debut until late October and will be sidelined again after suffering an injury in Buffalo's most recent game. He was seen leaving the arena in a walking boot and is expected to be out of the lineup indefinitely. The 25-year-old Kesselring was averaging 15:37 time-on-ice and scored zero points through nine games before his injury.
Luostarinen suffered a lower-body injury in Florida's most recent game and will be sidelined on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 27-year-old Luostarinen was in the middle of one of the best stretches of his career before the injury, recording 10 points (3G / 7A), 27 shots, and 27 hits in his last 11 games.
The 8-8-2 Capitals have fared far better with Logan Thompson between the pipes, but they will turn to Lindgren on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 31-year-old Lindgren opened the season with a dazzling 35-save shutout, but has fallen off since. He has a 3.59 GAA and .878 SV% in five games this season (1-3-1). Still, the Capitals enter Monday's contest as -120 home favorites against a red-hot Kings team riding a four-game winning streak.
Merzlikins has been under the weather and will return to the crease for the first time in 10 days, tending the twine on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has been serviceable this season, posting a 3.14 GAA and .908 SV% in seven games (4-3-0). Merzlikins has recorded a sub-.900 SV% in three straight seasons prior to this one.
For the fifth straight game, the front end of a back-to-back, the Blue Jackets will again turn to Greaves between the pipes. Greaves was excellent in his most recent game, saving 31 of 32 shots (.969 SV%), but fell short in a 2-1 shootout loss to the New York Rangers. The 24-year-old netminder has a 2.79 GAA and .904 SV% in 11 games this season (5-4-2). The Blue Jackets enter Monday's contest as -125 home favorites against a struggling Canadiens team riding a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).
With several Boston forwards dealing with injuries, Tufte has earned himself a call-up after a strong start in the AHL. The 27-year-old Tufte has 16 points (8G / 8A) in 13 games with the Providence Bruins (AHL) this season.
