John Beecher will re-enter the lineup on Monday against the Boston Bruins, sending Kirkland to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 29-year-old Kirkland is averaging 9:30 time-on-ice and has one assist in 10 games.
Justin Kirkland will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Boston Bruins, allowing Beecher to re-enter the lineup. The 24-year-old Beecher is averaging 10:01 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 22 games this season.
With Karel Vejmelka (upper body) on Injured Reserve, Vanecek will tend the twine for at least one more game. Vanecek was stellar in his previous outing, saving 25 of 26 shots (.962 SV%) in a 1-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. He has a 2.81 GAA and .882 SV% in 11 games this season (2-8-1). The Mammoth enters Monday's contest as -141 home favorites against a Nashville Predators team that has won three of their last four (3-1-0).
The Sabres have been outstanding lately, riding a season-best eight-game winning streak, and will likely turn to Lyon to tend the twine on Monday against the St. Louis Blues. The 33-year-old Lyon has been terrific over the past two weeks, posting a 2.00 GAA and .930 SV% in five games (5-0-0). He has a 2.87 GAA and .907 SV% in 20 games this season (9-6-3). The Sabres enter the action on Monday as slight -110 road favorites against a Blues team that has points in four of their last five games (3-1-1).
Wolf was stellar in his most recent outing, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%) in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers. The 24-year-old goalie returns to the crease on Monday against the Boston Bruins, looking to build on a 2.96 GAA and .897 SV% through 29 games this season (12-14-2). The Flames enter Monday's contest as -127 home favorites against a Bruins team that has been outscored 23-10 during a five-game losing skid (0-4-1).
Brennan Othmann will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Sheary to re-enter the lineup against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 33-year-old Sheary is averaging 14:47 time-on-ice and has nine points (1G / 8A) in 35 games this season.
Conor Sheary will draw back into the Rangers' lineup on Monday against the Carolina Hurricanes, sending Othmann to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Othmann is averaging 8:10 time-on-ice and has zero points through six games this season.
After losing three straight (0-2-1), the Capitals responded with a 4-3 overtime win over the New Jersey Devils, fueled by a 35- save performance (.921 SV%) from Thompson. The 28-year-old Thompson returns to the crease on Monday, looking to build on a 2.27 GAA and .917 SV% through 27 games (15-9-3). The Capitals enter the action as +117 road underdogs against a Panthers team that defeated them 6-3 in their previous meeting.
Vejmelka was expected to start in Utah's final game before the Holiday Break, but was a late scratch, resulting in the team having to dress an EBUG to serve as the backup to Vitek Vanecek. The 29-year-old Vejmelka has a 2.70 GAA and .894 SV% in 29 games this season (16-10-2). It's unclear how long Vejmelka will be sidelined, but he will miss at least one more game before he is eligible to be activated from IR.
With Karel Vejmelka (upper body) on Injured Reserve, Utah has recalled Villalta from the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL). The 26-year-old Villalta has a 2.94 GAA and .903 SV% in 15 games with Tucson this season (9-5-1).
Karlsson is battling an illness and was absent from practice on Monday. It's unclear if he will be ready to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 35-year-old Karlsson is having a solid season, with 26 points (3G / 23A) in 37 games, but has just one assist in his last five.
Fox was a full participant in practice on Sunday and even skated with the team's top powerplay unit, but he will remain out of the lineup on Monday. The 27-year-old Fox has not played since the end of November. He has 26 points (3G / 23A) in 27 games this season.
Carrick was absent from practice on Sunday due to an illness and will be a game-time decision on Monday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 33-year-old Carrick has played all 40 games this season, averaging 10:42 time-on-ice and scoring six points (1G / 5A).
Shesterkin was solid in the Rangers' most recent game, saving 24 of 25 shots (.960 SV%), but their offensive woes continued, losing 2-0 to the New York Islanders for their league-worst eighth shutout loss of the season. That said, the 29-year-old Shesterkin has given them a chance on most nights, posting a 2.51 GAA and .910 SV% in 31 games this season (16-12-3). The Rangers enter Monday's contest as +156 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes team that snapped a three-game losing skid with a 5-2 win on Saturday over the Detroit Red Wings.
Morrissey suffered an injury scare late in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild, which prevented him from practicing on Sunday. That said, he is expected to play on Monday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 30-year-old defenseman is having another great season, scoring 30 points (6G / 24A) in 36 games.
Suter has been effective in a middle-six role for the Blues this season, but will miss approximately a month due to an ankle injury. The 29-year-old Swiss forward has 14 points (7G / 7A) in 37 games 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).
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.
Pinto has been sidelined for over three weeks due to a lower-body injury, but could return to the lineup on Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 25-year-old forward is averaging 18:58 time-on-ice and has 18 points (12G / 6A) in 27 games this season.
