Kuemper made 14 saves on 16 shots in the Coyotes win over the Ducks last Thursday. It was a light night for Kuemper, who has given up two or less goals in four straight games and carries a 2.44 GAA and .910 SV% into Tuesday's game in St. Louis. The Blues have won three straight games and are averaging 3.44 goals per game, which ranks ninth in the NHL.
Foegele was activated on Friday and was on the ice for an optional practice, suggesting that he could be available for Saturday's home game vs. the Stars. Foegele, who has yet to record a point in three games this season, will likely replace Steven Lorentz and skate on the third line with Jordan Staal if he's made available.
Fiala was assessed a game misconduct for the first period hit and was suspended for three games on Friday. This means that the Wild will be without one of their top offensive weapons for the first three games of their four-game set with the Avalanche--he's eligible to return for the finale next Friday.
The Penguins defence continues to be decimated by injuries with Dumoulin joining Michael Matheson, Marcus Pettersson and Juuso Riikola on the injury report. With Dumoulin out, Pierre-Olivier Joseph is expected to be on the top-pair with Kris Letang.
Kuemper stopped 26 of 27 shots in the Coyotes' 1-0 loss to Vegas on Sunday. After a bit of a tough start to the season, Kuemper has played really well in his last two starts, stopping 55 of the 58 shots (.948 SV%) that he's faced. He'll be thankful that he doesn't have to face the Golden Knights, after four straight starts vs. Vegas. He draws a great matchup vs. a Ducks team that he was 1-1-0 while allowing just five goals on 63 shots (.921 SV%) against in 2020.
Perry is expected to make his Canadiens' debut on Saturday with Joel Armia sidelined with a concussion. Perry will skate on the third line with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Tyler Tofofli. He had five goals and 16 assists (21 points) in 57 games with the Stars a season ago.
Armia suffered a concussion on a hit from Tyler Myers on Thursday and missed Friday's practice. With Armia dealing with a concussion, he's already been ruled out of Saturday's rematch in Vancouver. Corey Perry skated in his spot in Friday's practice.
Both Edler and Travis Hamonic left Wednesday's game vs. Montreal and did not return. During his postgame press availability, head coach Travis Green did not have an update on either defenseman. If both aren't available for Thursday's game, look for Olli Juolevi and Jordie Benn to be in the lineup.
The Hurricanes played in Nashville on Monday and had just one player n the COVID-19 protocol list and that was Jordan Staal. On Tuesday, their game with the Predators was cancelled due to four more players being added to that list, Foegele among them. The four players with confirmed positive tests must stay behind in Nashville and observe a 10-day isolation period in the team hotel.
Kuemper allowed three goals on 35 shots in the Coyotes shootout loss to the Sharks on opening night. Antti Raanta started Saturday’s game so Kuemper will be fresh to start a week where they will play the Golden Knights four times in seven days. Kuemper was 1-0-1 while stopping 74 of 76 shots (.974 SV%) in two games vs. Vegas last year.
Forsberg was originally claimed off of waivers by the Hurricanes as insurance before they waived Alex Nedeljkovic but with Nedeljkovic clearing, they no longer needed Forsberg. Winnipeg lost Eric Comrie on waivers last week, so Forsberg fills their No.3 goalie hole.
Kuemper was 16-11-2 with a 2.22 GAA and .928 SV% in 29 games in 2020. Kuemper has been terrific over the last two seasons, posting a 2.29 GAA and .926 SV% in 84 starts. Kuemper is one of the best goalies in the league but has little help in front of him, which will limit his upside in 2021. In his only start vs. the Sharks a season ago, Kuemper stopped 26 of 28 shots in a winning effort.
The Hurricanes put Alex Nedeljkovic on waivers on Tuesday, so they claimed Forsberg in case they lose Nedeljkovic tomorrow. Forsberg was with the Hurricanes last year, going 1-1-0 while allowing eight goals on 78 shots (.897 SV%) in three games. He signed with the Oilers this offseason but was waived Monday.
