Dowling drew into the lineup on Saturday because Mattias Janmark was dealing with an upper-body injury, but Janmark is back tonight which will make Dowling a healthy scratch for the fourth time in five games.
Hischier missed the last three games with an illness but will play Friday in Colorado. Hischier will be back on the Devils' top-line between Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri and will also skate on the top power-play unit. He was heating up before getting sick, scoring three goals with six assists (nine points) in his last 11 games.
Markstrom allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Canucks' loss to the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Markstrom has lost two straight to start December and has just two wins in eight home games while posting a 2.84 GAA and .903 SV%. The Hurricanes come in on a three-game winning streak and have scored an impressive 15 goals (5.00 goals per game) in those wins.
Bernier allowed four goals on 23 shots in the Red Wings' loss to the Penguins last Saturday. Bernier has lost each of his last seven starts and has allowed at least three goals in each game--he's 0-5-1 with a 3.78 GAA and .885 SV% in that span. The Red Wings could be without Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha and Andreas Athanasiou up front tonight, so it's hard to envision Bernier giving up less than three goals and getting enough goal support to win.
Bernier allowed four goals on 23 shots in the Red Wings' loss to the Penguins last Saturday. Bernier has lost each of his last seven starts and has allowed at least three goals in each game--he's 0-5-1 with a 3.78 GAA and .885 SV% in that span. The Red Wings could be without Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha and Andreas Athanasiou up front tonight, so it's hard to envision Bernier giving up less than three goals and getting enough goal support to win.
Markstrom allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Canucks loss to the Oilers on December 1st. Thatcher Demko started the last two games but Markstrom will get back in the crease on Tuesday. He has gone 2-3-2 with a 2.81 GAA and .905 SV% on home-ice this year, but draws a tough matchup with the Maple Leafs in town--Toronto has won five of eight while scoring 3.38 goals per game since Mike Babcock was fired.
Allen allowed one goal on 16 shots after replacing Jordan Binnington in the Blues' loss to the Maple Leafs on Saturday. Allen continues to play very well. He is 4-0-2 with a 1.72 GAA, .946 SV% and one shutout in his last seven appearances and will start for the fourth time in the last eight games on Tuesday. The Sabres are 8-3-3 while scoring 3.64 goals per game in Buffalo this year.
Allen allowed one goal on 16 shots after replacing Jordan Binnington in the Blues' loss to the Maple Leafs on Saturday. Allen continues to play very well. He is 4-0-2 with a 1.72 GAA, .946 SV% and one shutout in his last seven appearances and will start for the fourth time in the last eight games on Tuesday. The Sabres are 8-3-3 while scoring 3.64 goals per game in Buffalo this year.
Hischier has been dealing with an illness since the start of last week and still isn't ready to play Tuesday in Dallas. The Devils moved him to IR to open up a roster spot to call-up Michael McLeod to join them on the trip. Hischier is eligible to return to the lineup whenever he is 100 percent.
Bernier allowed four goals on 25 shots in the Red Wings loss to the Islanders on Monday. Bernier has gone 0-4-1 with a 3.63 GAA and .892 SV% in his last six appearances and draws a terrible assignment with the Penguins in town. Bernier has gone 3-3-1 with a 3.35 GAA and .878 SV% on home-ice but isn't a viable option while the Red Wings can't score.
Hughes has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury but will play Friday vs the Blackhawks. Hughes has had a slow-start to his NHL career, posting just 11 points (4G / 7A) in 24 games.
Hughes did not travel to Buffalo for Monday's game and isn't ready to play Tuesday back in New Jersey. This is the third straight game that Hughes has missed but the Devils reiterated that he is day-to-day and could be back for their next game.
Noesen opened the season without an NHL contract but was playing in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) and is leading the team in goals (14) and is tied for the team-lead in points (22). With injuries continuing to mount in Pittsburgh, Noesen could get another NHL shot soon.
Allen stopped 31 of 32 shots in the Blues win in Dallas on Friday. Allen has played very well recently, earning himself more playing time than expected. He has picked up a point for the Blues in five straight starts (3-0-2) while posting a 2.12 GAA and .934 SV%. Tonight he meets a Blackhawks team that has lost five of their last six (1-4-1) while scoring just 2.17 goals per game.
Markstorm has returned to Sweden to attend his father's memorial service, which means Thatcher Demko will start Tuesday vs. the Senators. There's no indication when Markstrom will return to Vancouver, but he could be back before Saturday's game vs. the Sabres. Mikey DiPietro was called up from Utica (AHL) and will serve as Demko's backup tomorrow.
