This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Around the Rink
If you liked the updated version of the Daily Puck I posted last week, never fear – a full-fledged version of it is coming (relatively) soon, once we work out some kinks on the tech side of things. For now, though, you'll have to enjoy another huge Tuesday slate of NHL action with the usual format.
Of course, that doesn't mean I can't talk about some matchups here. But first, a note on this headline: Don't take it as an endorsement of Miller-brand beer. I do not endorse that particular beverage.
Alright, let's get at it.
The aftermath of the All-Star break has blunted a lot of teams' hot streaks, but Tampa's still won eight of its last 10 even after Monday night's domination at the hands of the previously struggling Senators. On Tuesday, the Bolts continue their Canadian swing with a visit to the Habs, who have been one of the league's worst teams in the absence of Carey Price, but have actually turned out two consecutive wins for the first time in what seems like forever. Of course, those came against inferior competition – Edmonton and Carolina, a pair of non-playoff teams. With Ben Bishop back in for the Bolts and an offensive attack that's likely to break up Ben Scrivens' brief hot streak in the Montreal net, the Lightning offer about as friendly a fantasy projection as you'll see in a road game.
Although the Stars have fallen from their early perch, they're still carrying the NHL's second-best offense into a road matchup with the Wild and goalie Devan Dubnyk, who's taken eight consecutive losses thanks to a combination of poor performance and impotent offense. By far the coldest team in the league, the Wild have seen their goal differential has fallen into the negative range now. Zach Parise and Mikko Koivu each have just two points in the last 10 games, Jason Pominville has two in the last 19, and there are plenty more stats like that up and down the Minnesota roster. Whether it's Kari Lehtonen or Antti Niemi, make sure you get the Stars' goalie out there in DFS lineups for this one. Some skaters wouldn't hurt either; Tyler Seguin, for instance, has always played well against the Wild. He may be the pricy play of the day, especially with the Stars unable to rely on their second line for scoring with Jason Spezza (upper body) on the sidelines.
Projected Goalie Starters (all times Eastern)
Kings (Jonathan Quick) at Bruins (Tuukka Rask), 7:00 PM
Panthers (Roberto Luongo) at Sabres (Robin Lehner), 7:00 PM
Oilers (Cam Talbot) at Devils (Keith Kinkaid), 7:00 PM
Ducks (Frederik Andersen) at Flyers (Steve Mason), 7:00 PM
Islanders (Jaroslav Halak) at Blue Jackets (Joonas Korpisalo), 7:00 PM
Lightning (Ben Bishop) at Canadiens (Ben Scrivens), 7:30 PM
Jets (Connor Hellebuyck) at Blues (Brian Elliott), 8:00 PM
Capitals (Braden Holtby) at Predators (Pekka Rinne), 8:00 PM
Stars (Kari Lehtonen) at Wild (Devan Dubnyk), 8:00 PM
Sharks (Martin Jones) at Blackhawks (Corey Crawford), 8:30 PM
Canucks (Jacob Markstrom) at Avalanche (Semyon Varlamov), 9:00 PM
Maple Leafs (James Reimer) at Flames (Jonas Hiller), 9:00 PM
For updates on projected goalies later in the day, check our Projected Goalies Grid.
Injury News for Teams Playing Tuesday
Los Angeles Kings
Matt Greene, D (shoulder) – Done for the year
Boston Bruins
Adam McQuaid, D (upper body) – Practicing, but not taking contact
Chris Kelly, RW (leg) – Out a number of months yet
Florida Panthers
Willie Mitchell, D (undisclosed) – Return seemingly not imminent
Dave Bolland, C (lower body) – No updated timetable offered
Erik Gudbranson, D (upper body) – Not traveling with team
Aleksander Barkov, C (upper body) – Won't play Tuesday
Buffalo Sabres
Marcus Foligno, LW (lower body) – Practiced Monday; seems likely for Tuesday
Zemgus Girgensons, C (lower body) – Questionable for Tuesday's game
Tyler Ennis, LW (upper body) – Remains in holding pattern
Edmonton Oilers
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C (hand) – Out into March
Oscar Klefbom, D (infection) – Still no timetable
Andrew Ference, D (hip) – Season-ending surgery
New Jersey Devils
Michael Cammalleri, LW (hand) – Not playing Tuesday
Jiri Tlusty, LW (upper body) – Out a number of months yet
Jon Merrill, D (upper body) – Remains sidelined with no update
Patrik Elias, LW (knee) – No timetable following surgery
Anaheim Ducks
Shawn Horcoff, C (suspension) – Five games into 20-game ban
Clayton Stoner, D (hip flexor) – Not traveling with team
Philadelphia Flyers
Michal Neuvirth, G (lower body) – Remains on IR, but could be back later in week
Sean Couturier, C (lower body) – Hit IR over weekend; out four weeks
New York Islanders
Eric Boulton, LW (undisclosed) – Has been on IR for a month now; no updates
Adam Pelech, D (upper body) – May not play again this year
Columbus Blue Jackets
David Clarkson, RW (upper body) – Lingering on IR indefinitely
Curtis McElhinney, G (ankle) – Traveling with the team, practicing on a limited basis
Jared Boll, RW (neck) – Took a puck to the throat Monday; Tuesday status in doubt
David Savard, D (oblique) – Practiced Monday, but not expected to play Tuesday
Sergei Bobrovsky, G (groin) – Not expected to return until March
Tampa Bay Lightning
Jason Garrison, D (lower body) – Ruled out of Tuesday's game
Montreal Canadiens
Daniel Carr, LW (knee) – Out three months
Paul Byron, C (lower body) – No update offered on return from IR
Lucas Lessio, LW (knee) – Out 2-to-3 weeks
Carey Price, G (leg) – Still limping
Winnipeg Jets
Drew Stafford, RW (suspension) – Will serve one-game ban Tuesday
Ondrej Pavelec, G (knee) – Making progress, but still not ready
St. Louis Blues
Jaden Schwartz, LW (ankle) – Won't come back Tuesday, but could play later this week
Alex Pietrangelo, D (knee) – Hit IR Monday; will be reevaluated in three weeks
Jake Allen, G (knee) – Skating in full gear in practice
Steve Ott, C (hamstring) – Out another month
Washington Capitals
Brooks Orpik, D (lower body) – Traveling with team, but won't play Tuesday
Jay Beagle, C (hand) – Remains out with no recent updates
Marcus Johansson, LW (upper body) – Traveling with team; could return Tuesday
Nashville Predators
Gabriel Bourque, LW (upper body) – Practicing, but return date unclear
Eric Nystrom, LW (foot) – Remains out indefinitely
Colin Wilson, LW (lower body) – Could be back in there Tuesday
Dallas Stars
Jason Spezza, C (upper body) – Week-to-week
Minnesota Wild
Jared Spurgeon, D (undisclosed) – Has a deep bruise; doubtful for Tuesday
Jonas Brodin, D (foot) – Out 3-to-6 weeks
San Jose Sharks
None
Chicago Blackhawks
Marcus Kruger, C (wrist) – Out a matter of months yet
Colorado Avalanche
Brad Stuart, D (back) – Out long-term following surgery
Jack Skille, RW (concussion) – Return date unclear
Reto Berra, G (ankle) – Skating, but timeline remains uncertain
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joffrey Lupul, LW (abdomen) – Placed on IR
Shawn Matthias, C (neck) – Will miss road trip
James van Riemsdyk, LW (foot) – Out another 4-to-6 weeks
Tyler Bozak, C (head) – Not traveling on road trip
Calgary Flames
Lance Bouma, C (illness) – Left Monday's practice early
Dennis Wideman, D (suspension) – Appealing 20-game ban
Hot
Petr Mrazek, G, DET – Perhaps the best Czech netminding product since Dominik Hasek – yeah, I went there – Mrazek has long since taken over Jimmy Howard's old role as Detroit's starter, and the results have been nothing short of spectacular. He leads the league in GAA now (1.97) and is tied for the lead in save percentage (.933), thanks in large part to a white-hot streak that's seen him go 9-2-1 with a 1.33 GAA and .951 save mark over his last dozen outings. Howard's only drawn three starts in that span, and that arrangement seems likely to continue moving forward.
Sidney Crosby, C, PIT – Goals in seven straight; points in 11 straight, with 22 of them in that span. Those, my friends, are classic Crosby numbers. Indeed, over those last 11 contests, Crosby has poured in a dozen goals to go with 10 assists and a plus-9 rating while averaging nearly four shots per game. He's bringing his veteran mates on the top line along for the ride, as Chris Kunitz and Patric Hornqvist have bene racking up points themselves. I've got to say, even though I have no love for Crosby as a Rangers fan, it's nice to see things back to normal.
Cold
Louis Domingue, G, ARI – Remember when Domingue looked like he could be a savior for the Coyotes after Mike Smith went down with a lower-body injury? The 23-year-old rookie was essential over an 11-start stretch in which he went 7-2-2 with a 1.87 GAA and .937 save mark from New Year's Eve through much of January. But his last three starts have been horror shows – three consecutive five-goal outings that have delivered a painful dose of reality, pushing Domingue's NHL save mark (.915) back in line with his AHL performance (.919 in 13 games). He was yanked from two of those games, but hey, backup Anders Lindback gave up five goals of his own in the Coyotes' last contest. Avoid starting Domingue in fantasy until a friendly matchup presents itself, which may not happen 'til the Canadiens come to town next week.
Recommended Pickup
J.T. Miller, C/LW, NYR – Fantasy owners have been getting on this train gradually over the last couple weeks, but at this point, it's time for everyone to jump on board. Miller potted his 17th goal of the year Monday against the Devils, and it held up as the game-winner – his fifth of the year. He's operating at a point-per-game pace over the Rangers' last 10 contests, racking up nine goals, an assist and a plus-8 rating in that span while averaging just short of 18 minutes on the ice (including 2:15 on the power play). With Miller serving to energize the Blueshirts' previously stagnant offense, he's highly likely to continue seeing plenty of run in that premier role. Don't let him do that on your waiver wire – or, worse, another team's lineup.
