Pageau was injured in the Senators final game before their bye week and won’t play tonight vs. the Blues. Pageau took to the ice for Wednesday’s practice but wasn’t able to make it through the session. With Pageau as day-to-day, Filip Chlapik will be recalled from Belleville (AHL) to take his spot in the lineup.
Cizikas left Saturday’s game in New York with an upper-body injury after playing just 7:17 TOI. The ailment will keep him out for at least Monday’s game, so Tanner Fritz will draw back into the Islanders lineup.
After being acquired from the Coyotes, Duclair is set to make his Blackhawks debut on a line with David Kampf and Alex DeBrincat. Duclair comes to Chicago with nine goals and six assists (15 points) in 33 games.
Rittich allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Flames loss in San Jose on December 28th. Rittich hasn’t played a lot, but has played well in his first five appearances with the Flames—he is 3-1-1 with a 2.04 GAA and .924 S%. Tonight he takes on a Panthers team that has won six of their last nine games.
Duclair reportedly asked to be dealt out of Arizona and they granted his wish. Duclair has nine goals and six assists (15 points) in 33 games with the Coyotes this season, but has yet to live up to expectations to this point in his career. Duclair is still young and could become a capable goal-scorer in this league and will look to start fresh in Chicago. The Blackhawks don’t have a lot depth on the wing, so Duclair could earn a sizeable role at some point.
The Avalanche have two games before their bye week so Varlamov will miss at least those two games with a “muscular thing.” With Varlamov out, Andrew Hammond has been recalled to backup Jonathan Bernier.
Varlamov allowed three goals on 34 shots in Colorado’s win over the Maple Leafs last Friday. After getting Sunday night off, Varlamov will return to the crease tonight over the Jets. Varlamov comes into tonight having won four of his last six starts and is 8-3-1 with a 2.65 GAA and .920 SV% at the Pepsi Center this season.
Rittich allowed one goal on 17 shots in the Flames win in Vancouver on December 17th. Rittich came up to the NHL as a relative unknown but has played well in his first four career NHL games—the 25-year-old enters Thursday at 3-1-0 with a 2.10 GAA and .919 SV% but draws a tough road matchup in San Jose tonight.
Rittich allowed one goal on 17 shots in the Flames win in Vancouver on December 17th. Rittich came up to the NHL as a relative unknown but has played well in his first four career NHL games—the 25-year-old enters Thursday at 3-1-0 with a 2.10 GAA and .919 SV% but draws a tough road matchup in San Jose tonight.
Varlamov allowed two goals on 34 shots in Colorado’s win in Arizona last Saturday. Varlamov has won four of his last six starts while posting a 2.33 GAA and .928 SV%. He makes for a strong start again tonight with the Coyotes in town at 4-13-4 in 21 road games this season.
Palmieri left Saturday’s game vs. Chicago early but was on the ice this morning and will play tonight vs. the Red Wings. Since returning to the Devils lineup three games ago, Palmieri has recorded one goal and two assists.
After an extended run in the Islanders lineup, Pulock will be a healthy scratch tonight vs. the Sabres. Pulock, who has six points (2G / 4A) in 23 games this season, will be replaced by Dennis Seidenberg tonight.
Varlamov allowed two goals on 27 shots in Colorado’s loss in Los Angeles on Thursday. Varlamov has won three of his last five starts while posting a 2.40 GAA and .925 SV%. He has been solid this season but sub-par on the road, going 4-6-1 with a 3.35 GAA and .893 SV% in 11 starts.
Varlamov allowed two goals on 32 shots in Colorado’s win over the Penguins on Monday. Varlamov has won three of his last four starts while posting a 2.50 GAA and .925 SV%. The Avalanche offence has picked up this month, giving Varlamov a better chance at collecting wins, but they’ll be in tough tonight in Los Angles.
Varlamov stopped 32 of 33 shots in Colorado’s win over the Panthers last Thursday. With Jonathan Bernier losing vs. the Lightning on Saturday, the Avalanche will come back to their Russian netminder tonight vs. the Penguins. His overall numbers are average but he has been strong on home-ice, going 6-2-1 with a 2.65 GAA and .922 SV% in nine starts and one relief appearance.
