Fitzgerald was a third-round pick in 2016 and has picked up three assists in 23 games with the Sabres this season. In total, he has nine assists in 59 career NHL games. Fitzgerald will likely replace Matt Kiersted to serve as the Panthers' No.7 defenseman.

Leschyshyn was a second-round pick in 2017 and has picked up six points (2G / 4A) in 63 career NHL games. Leschyshyn figures to factor in on the Rangers' fourth line moving forward.

Kreider left the Rangers' previous game vs. Minnesota after 16:52 TOI with an upper-body injury and is now considered day-to-day. The 31-year-old has 19 goals, 11 assists, 138 SOG, and a +11 plus/minus through 42 games but will miss Thursday's game vs. the Stars.

With Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson making their season debuts on Sunday, Aube-Kubel and Anthony Mantha will be healthy scratches vs. the Blue Jackets. Aube-Kubel has scored in back-to-back games (his first goals of the season) but is the victim of a numbers game in Washington.

Brodzinski has a goal and an assist with 18 SOG and a +4 plus/minus through 11 games but will miss Thursday's contest due to the birth of his child. Gustav Rydahl will make his NHL debut in place of Brodzinski.

Shesterkin stopped 39 of 40 shots (.975 SV%) but still took the hard-luck loss as he was defeated by Tampa Bay in his last time out. The 2021-22 Vezina Trophy winner has been solid again this season, with his 17-6-5 record, 2.41 GAA and .918 SV%. He takes on the NHL's hottest team in Carolina, who has won their last 11 contests.

Shesterkin stopped 39 of 40 shots (.975 SV%) but still took the hard-luck loss as he was defeated by Tampa Bay in his last time out. The 2021-22 Vezina Trophy winner has been solid again this season, with his 17-6-5 record, 2.41 GAA and .918 SV%. He takes on the NHL's hottest team in Carolina, who has won their last 11 contests.

Ruhwedel missed the Penguins' previous game due to an upper-body injury but will be a game-time decision for the Winter Classic Monday. The 32-year-old has one assist, 10 SOG, 10 PIMs and a +2 plus/minus through 17 games this season

Ruhwedel missed the Penguins' previous game due to an upper-body injury but will be a game-time decision for the Winter Classic Monday. The 32-year-old has one assist, 10 SOG, 10 PIMs and a +2 plus/minus through 17 games this season.

Lafreniere has five goals, 12 assists, 63 SOG and 10 PIMs through 36 games but will surprisingly be a healthy scratch Thursday vs. the Lightning. It is the first scratch of the season for the 2020 1st overall pick.

Shesterkin was not busy, stopping 15 of 18 shots (.833 SV%) as he picked up his seventh victory in eight starts with a win over the Islanders his last time out. The 2021-22 Vezina Trophy winner has an incredible record (17-5-4) but has not been his usual dominant self with his 2.44 GAA and .916 SV%. He will face the Washington Capitals, who are in the middle of a four-game winning streak and have won nine of their last 10 games.

Kaliyev missed Thursday's game vs. Calgary due to an undisclosed injury and will be out Tuesday as well after he was placed on the injured reserve (retroactive to Dec.20). The 21-year-old had been enjoying a solid sophomore season, with nine goals, 10 assists, 79 SOG and a -2 plus/minus through 34 games prior to the injury.

Shesterkin was not busy, stopping 15 of 18 shots (.833 SV%) as he picked up his seventh victory in eight starts with a win over the Islanders his last time out. The 2021-22 Vezina Trophy winner has an incredible record (17-5-4) but has not been his usual dominant self with his 2.44 GAA and .916 SV%. He will face the Washington Capitals, who are in the middle of a four-game winning streak and have won nine of their last 10 games.