The hope in Colorado is that goaltender Semyon Varlamov won't miss multiple games with his latest groin injury.
On the heels of a 51-save performance in a win Sunday over Toronto, Varlamov won't be available Wednesday against Philadelphia, and the nature of the injury is cause for concern.
Head coach Jared Bednar seems somewhat optimistic, for the time being.
"Varly tweaked his groin, so he’s out day to day," Bednar said Tuesday, per Terry Frei of the Denver Post. "I don’t think it’s anything major, but he’ll miss (Wednesday’s) game.
"Apparently, he’s feeling better today than yesterday, so I’m hoping it’s going to be shorter than what he’s had in the past."
Varlamov has been sidelined for long periods of time with groin issues since the beginning of 2014-15.
In 19 appearances this season, Varlamov has a 6-12-0 record with a .904 save percentage, and it's expected Calvin Pickard (5-3-1, .913) will start in his absence.
That is, except for not making him available to Finland for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championship. That definitely ain't happening, general manager Peter Chiarelli revealed Tuesday.
But aside from that, it appears the prized prospect that fell into their laps will remain in and out of the lineup, and perhaps see time with Bakersfield of the American Hockey League.
"He's shown he can play at this level. He hasn't played lately," Chiarelli said Tuesday. "It's not ideal to have an 18-year-old not playing every game. He may see some time in the (AHL). We'll see how it goes."
Puljujarvi has sat out the last two games, but could dress Tuesday versus the Columbus Blue Jackets. He hasn't scored since the season opener, and has been largely unable to find a fit in Edmonton's temperamental top nine.
The Anderson family received some great news on Tuesday.
Nicholle Anderson, the wife of Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson, took to her blog to announce that her tumor has responded positively to treatment.
Nicholle shared a picture of two CT scans side by side; one taken on Nov. 9 prior to her treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma - a common form of throat cancer - and another from today. The scans show that the tumor has begun to shrink following treatments.
Craig, in the meantime, remains away from the Senators after taking a leave of absence to be with his wife. Head coach Guy Boucher gave a brief update on Tuesday, stating the team doesn't expect him back "for a little while," according to TSN's Ian Mendes.
Toews has missed nine straight games with a back injury, but the team hasn't lost its step in his absence, winning five of those contests and sending another two past regulation.
To make things even better for Chicago, the club will also welcome back defenseman Brent Seabrook, who has missed the club's last two games with an upper-body injury.
The return of Toews and Seabrook should only further aid the Blackhawks, who currently pace the Western Conference with 40 points in 30 games.
Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.
Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Tuesday, Dec. 13 (all advanced stats are at 5v5 and courtesy of Corsica.Hockey):
Triple Threat
C Ryan Johansen (59K), LW Filip Forsberg (55K), RW James Neal (54K), Predators (vs. Blues): The Blues have a reputation as a strong defensive team, but they are 4-8-1 on the road this season, whereas Nashville is 9-2-2 at home. Jake Allen has an .883 SV% and a 3.13 GAA away from St. Louis.
C Evgeny Kuznetsov (47K), LW Alex Ovechkin (69K), RW Justin Williams (35K), Capitals (at Islanders): This entire line has a reduced price. Kuznetsov and Williams have struggled this season, but they get a major boost playing with Ovechkin. Williams ranks seventh in the NHL in iSCF60 (individual scoring chances for per 60 minutes). His track record of goal scoring indicates he will start capitalizing on these opportunities.
LW Teuvo Teravainen (45K), RW Sebastian Aho (57K), D Justin Faulk (47K), Hurricanes (vs. Canucks): The Canucks are 4-10-1 away from home. They have the league's fourth-highest SCA60 (scoring chances against per 60 minutes) and fifth-highest xGA60 (expected goals against per 60 minutes) while playing on the road.
Goalie Breakdown
TARGET & BARGAIN - Braden Holtby (75K), Capitals (at Islanders): It's quite absurd how Holtby, last season's Vezina Trophy winner, is listed at the minimum price for goaltenders. His GAA and SV% are actually better this season. The Islanders don't possess any offensive threats outside of John Tavares.
FADE - Jaroslav Halak (108K), Islanders (vs. Capitals): Halak is totally undeserving of his near position-leading salary. He has a .908 SV% and a 3.07 GAA on the season and the Islanders will likely be overmatched in this contest.
CONTRARIAN - Martin Jones (77K), Sharks (at Maple Leafs): Toronto generates the most scoring chances per 60 minutes and has the highest xGF60 (expected goals for per 60 minutes) in the entire NHL. They have been especially lethal at home, which will give Jones low ownership levels, despite his reduced salary. The low cost gives Jones, who has been great this season, a very high ceiling.
Bargain Plays
RW Anthony Mantha (33K), Red Wings (vs. Coyotes): The Coyotes rank dead-last in the NHL in SCA60 and xGA60. The hulking winger has amassed a respectable four goals and three assists in his first 14 NHL games.
RW Marian Gaborik (34K), Kings (at Sabres): Though he has played only six games, Gaborik has four points and leads the NHL with 8.82 iSCF60.
C Rickard Rakell (35K), Ducks (at Stars): It's a mystery why Rakell is just 35K. He has 11 goals and five assists in 18 games this season and skates alongside Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. The Stars have yet to find an answer between the pipes.
Top Fades
RW Kyle Okposo (71K), Sabres (vs. Kings): The Kings own the league's second-best xGA60. Okposo is a solid player, but he shouldn't be priced at 71K, above players like Ovechkin.
LW Loui Eriksson (50K), Canucks (at Hurricanes): Eriksson is terrible. He has exceeded more than one shot in a game just once during his current five-game point-less drought. He doesn't even play on a line with the Sedins.
D Duncan Keith (51K), Blackhawks (at Rangers): Keith and the Blackhawks will run into the red-hot Antti Raanta, who has two straight shutouts - one of which came last week in Chicago. You can find more productive defensemen with salaries lower than Keith.
Contrarian Options
C Evgeny Kuznetsov (47K), Capitals (at Islanders): Kuznetsov's salary has finally lowered to a price worthy of buying low. He has been reunited with Ovechkin and the Islanders rank second-last in xGA60 and SCA60.
LW Tomas Tatar (59K), Red Wings (vs. Coyotes): Tatar has just four goals on the season, but he has still taken 65 shots, resulting in a shooting percentage roughly half of his career rate. Despite his low point totals, he is still getting 3.35 iSCF60. If there's one team he'll come around against, it's Arizona, who is playing their second game in as many nights.
C Anze Kopitar (68K), Kings (at Sabres): If a Squad Up player wants a Kings center, they will likely turn to Jeff Carter who is cheaper and is having a better season. However, Kopitar has five points in his last four games, with the return of Gaborik being a big reason why.
Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.
Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Tuesday, Dec. 13 (all advanced stats are at 5v5 and courtesy of Corsica.Hockey):
Triple Threat
C Ryan Johansen (59K), LW Filip Forsberg (55K), RW James Neal (54K), Predators (vs. Blues): The Blues have a reputation as a strong defensive team, but they are 4-8-1 on the road this season, whereas Nashville is 9-2-2 at home. Jake Allen has an .883 SV% and a 3.13 GAA away from St. Louis.
C Evgeny Kuznetsov (47K), LW Alex Ovechkin (69K), RW Justin Williams (35K), Capitals (at Islanders): This entire line has a reduced price. Kuznetsov and Williams have struggled this season, but they get a major boost playing with Ovechkin. Williams ranks seventh in the NHL in iSCF60 (individual scoring chances for per 60 minutes). His track record of goal scoring indicates he will start capitalizing on these opportunities.
LW Teuvo Teravainen (45K), RW Sebastian Aho (57K), D Justin Faulk (47K), Hurricanes (vs. Canucks): The Canucks are 4-10-1 away from home. They have the league's fourth-highest SCA60 (scoring chances against per 60 minutes) and fifth-highest xGA60 (expected goals against per 60 minutes) while playing on the road.
Goalie Breakdown
TARGET & BARGAIN - Braden Holtby (75K), Capitals (at Islanders): It's quite absurd how Holtby, last season's Vezina Trophy winner, is listed at the minimum price for goaltenders. His GAA and SV% are actually better this season. The Islanders don't possess any offensive threats outside of John Tavares.
FADE - Jaroslav Halak (108K), Islanders (vs. Capitals): Halak is totally undeserving of his near position-leading salary. He has a .908 SV% and a 3.07 GAA on the season and the Islanders will likely be overmatched in this contest.
CONTRARIAN - Martin Jones (77K), Sharks (at Maple Leafs): Toronto generates the most scoring chances per 60 minutes and has the highest xGF60 (expected goals for per 60 minutes) in the entire NHL. They have been especially lethal at home, which will give Jones low ownership levels, despite his reduced salary. The low cost gives Jones, who has been great this season, a very high ceiling.
Bargain Plays
RW Anthony Mantha (33K), Red Wings (vs. Coyotes): The Coyotes rank dead-last in the NHL in SCA60 and xGA60. The hulking winger has amassed a respectable four goals and three assists in his first 14 NHL games.
RW Marian Gaborik (34K), Kings (at Sabres): Though he has played only six games, Gaborik has four points and leads the NHL with 8.82 iSCF60.
C Rickard Rakell (35K), Ducks (at Stars): It's a mystery why Rakell is just 35K. He has 11 goals and five assists in 18 games this season and skates alongside Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. The Stars have yet to find an answer between the pipes.
Top Fades
RW Kyle Okposo (71K), Sabres (vs. Kings): The Kings own the league's second-best xGA60. Okposo is a solid player, but he shouldn't be priced at 71K, above players like Ovechkin.
LW Loui Eriksson (50K), Canucks (at Hurricanes): Eriksson is terrible. He has exceeded more than one shot in a game just once during his current five-game point-less drought. He doesn't even play on a line with the Sedins.
D Duncan Keith (51K), Blackhawks (at Rangers): Keith and the Blackhawks will run into the red-hot Antti Raanta, who has two straight shutouts - one of which came last week in Chicago. You can find more productive defensemen with salaries lower than Keith.
Contrarian Options
C Evgeny Kuznetsov (47K), Capitals (at Islanders): Kuznetsov's salary has finally lowered to a price worthy of buying low. He has been reunited with Ovechkin and the Islanders rank second-last in xGA60 and SCA60.
LW Tomas Tatar (59K), Red Wings (vs. Coyotes): Tatar has just four goals on the season, but he has still taken 65 shots, resulting in a shooting percentage roughly half of his career rate. Despite his low point totals, he is still getting 3.35 iSCF60. If there's one team he'll come around against, it's Arizona, who is playing their second game in as many nights.
C Anze Kopitar (68K), Kings (at Sabres): If a Squad Up player wants a Kings center, they will likely turn to Jeff Carter who is cheaper and is having a better season. However, Kopitar has five points in his last four games, with the return of Gaborik being a big reason why.
At a pickup hockey game inside the LA Kings Valley Ice Center, pop star Justin Bieber was caught getting into a heated scuffle with an opposing player. In the clip above, Bieber (wearing No. 23) is angling to receive a pass when his stick gets chopped in two.
"Let's go right now," Bieber can be heard saying as his nemesis is escorted off of the ice. The rest of the audio is unclear, though there is some bleeped out profanity.
It wouldn't be surprising if Bieber told the other player to, er, "love himself," so to speak.
The start comes on the back of two straight shutouts for Raanta, and will mark the fourth contest in a row that Vigneault has handed the reigns to his backup over the former Vezina Trophy winner.
The stretch will mark the first time in Lundqvist's career that he has sat four straight games while healthy, according to Rosen.
Antti Raanta said it's "pretty special if you can rob games from Hank," but "everybody knows who the No. 1 is here."
Raanta has allowed just one goal in his last three games and is now 8-1-0 in 11 appearances this season, having posted a 1.65 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage. Meanwhile, Lundqvist has conceded 10 goals over his last three contests.
Krug made direct contact with Shaw's head. But as Johnston notes, the fact that Shaw made himself vulnerable by crouching down and reaching out made head contact less avoidable in this instance.
Shaw, left bloodied by the hit, returned to the game after being checked out by medical personnel.
Every Tuesday, theScore's editors will examine the fortunes of the north's seven NHL franchises. Welcome to "O Canada."
Calgary Flames
Plus: Where to start? The Flames bagged three wins, extending their win streak to six games, and briefly sat atop the division summit after their 6-2 thumping of the Jets. Johnny Gaudreau's delivered multi-point efforts in all four games since his return, Sean Monahan's come alive, and Dougie Hamilton looks every bit as Brian Burke advertised when he shut down the swirling trade talk.
Minus: The players will gladly accept the two days they were given to recharge after cooling the Jets, but a soft portion in the schedule may be coming at the wrong time for the red-hot roster. Calgary is in the midst of a nine-day stretch with just two games.
The Take: Gaudreau's surgeon may have saved the season.
Edmonton Oilers
Plus: After coughing up third-period advantages against the Sabres and Flyers on a recent four-game losing streak, the Oilers showed some needed resolve over the weekend. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins pulled them level with the Wild before losing in a shootout Friday, and they came all the way back in the third Sunday versus the Jets.
Minus: Edmonton will be without Darnell Nurse for the next three months after the often mean-spirited defender underwent ankle surgery. The club cannot afford another injury to an impact player on the back end.
The Take: Zack Kassian's negated breakaway goal Sunday is precisely what's wrong with video review in the NHL
Montreal Canadiens
Plus: An outlier to call their own, the Canadiens hung 10 on the Avalanche five weeks after suffering the same fate against the Blue Jackets. Max Pacioretty scored four times in the contest, and with his play of late, has absolved himself from his early season struggles. Never mind the broken foot.
Minus: With their overtime loss to the Bruins in the second half of a back-to-back (which is obviously nothing to sneeze at), the Blue Jackets jumped ahead of the Canadiens for the best record in the NHL.
The Take: Alexei Emelin might just be developing a reputation.
Ottawa Senators
Plus: The Senators won their first game in California with a 4-2 victory over the Sharks, ensuring the typically uncertain progress from the dreaded three-game gauntlet.
Minus: The Senators felt that was enough, apparently, as they turned in listless efforts against the Kings and Ducks over the weekend. Building up multi-goal deficits in the first period of each contest, the Senators were outscored 9-2 on aggregate in their SoCal back-to-back.
The Take: Oh joy. The first game back from their west coast road trip is against the Sharks. They won't be motivated at all.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Plus: Well, this depends on which side of the fence you're on in the 'ol process vs. results divide. Toronto was out-attempted nearly two-to-one in a 4-1 victory over the Bruins on Saturday, and then on a second half of yet another back-to-back, they recorded the most shot attempts in a single game this season (99!), and ended up losing 3-1 to one of the worst teams in the league.
Minus: Found above.
The Take: Perhaps the fourth line was constructed in a way as to keep the kids stay on the straight and narrow. Mitch Marner was the latest subjected to sharing shifts with Matt Martin, punishment for what Mike Babcock suggested was a drift in overall focus of late.
Vancouver Canucks
Plus: Canucks fans might have the opportunity to see Thatcher Demko much earlier than expected. With Ryan Miller dealing with an injury, and usual call-up Richard Bachman dealing with a setback, too, Demko was recalled over the weekend.
Minus: As expected, it's become increasingly difficult to consume these games. The Canucks needed a fifth power play to record a shot on Braden Holtby in Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Capitals.
The Take: Jannik Hansen's return means Sven Baertschi's departure? Really?
Winnipeg Jets
Plus: We know what sort of captain that Blake Wheeler is. The immediateness to which Wheeler wrapped his arm around Patrik Laine in an effort to make the super rookie feel better about burying an own goal was truly telling about his character.
Minus: Besides the moment of camaraderie, the week really couldn't have been more of a nightmare. The Jets took one point from four games at the end of a nine-day stretch where they played six times. Though still fourth in the division, they now have the fourth-worst record in the NHL in terms of point percentage.
The Take: With four winnable games (including two against the Canucks), and appropriate rest in between, the Jets' schedule between now and the holiday break is critical.
