This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Around the Rink
Looking at the NHL standings, one thing really sticks out to me: Cory Schneider is so good. Granted, this is information one would typically glean from a stat sheet, but it's readily apparent when you look at the standings as well. The New Jersey Devils are fighting for a playoff spot, and they owe it all to Schneider. The team has let in more goals than they've scored, albeit by a slight margin. They are the lowest scoring team in the league as I type this. Their offense is led by guys like Lee Stempniak and Kyle Palmieri. They should be an afterthought.
They are not, though, and that's all because of Schneider. He's not leading the NHL in save percentage, as of Tuesday afternoon he is third, behind Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth. However, he is barely behind them. Also, he's started almost every game for the Devils, which neither Elliott nor Neuvirth can say. When it comes to quality and quantity, Schneider stands above most.
To think, the Canucks were plenty content to move on from him a few years ago… and then they moved on from Roberto Luongo, also in the top 10. All while Vancouver struggles in net. Point to the aging of the Sedin twins if you like, but Vancouver's tumble was sealed the moment they decided to trade Schneider, and that trade has basically saved the Devils.
And, of course, Corey Crawford has started just as many games as Schneider, and has played essentially as well. He also has seven shutouts, to boot. Let us not forget him just because doesn't have to carry his team like Schneider. Clearly, he could, but it must be nice not to be in that position.
(And on Tuesday night Schneider gave up five goals on 25 shots. Good timing on my part.)
Projected Goalie Starters (all times Eastern)
Blackhawks (Corey Crawford) at Rangers (Henrik Lundqvist), 8:00 PM
Canadiens (Ben Scrivens) at Avalanche (Semyon Varlamov), 8:00 PM
Wild (Devin Dubnyk) at Flames (Jonas Hiller), 10:00 PM
For updates on the projected goalies later in the day, check out our Projected Goalies Grid.
Injury News For Teams Playing Wednesday
Blackhawks
Marian Hossa, RW (lower-body) – Week-to-week
Marcus Kruger, C (wrist) – On injured reserve
Rangers
Ryan McDonagh, D (concussion) – Probable for Wednesday
Rick Nash, LW (leg) – Week-to-week
Canadiens
Daniel Carr, LW (knee) – Out three months
Brian Flynn, C (lower-body) – Out 6-8 weeks
Lucas Lessio, LW (knee) – Unlikely to play Wednesday
Jeff Petry, D (lower-body) – On injured reserve
Carey Price, G (leg) – Out indefinitely, maybe out for season
Avalanche
Reto Berra, G (ankle) – On injured reserve
Jack Skille, RW (concussion) – Expected to play Wednesday
Ben Street, C (chest) – On injured reserve
Brad Stuart, D (back) – Out long term
Jesse Winchester, LW (concussion) – On injured reserve
Wild
Jonas Brodin, D (foot) – Out 3-6 weeks
Flames
David Jones, RW (lower-body) – Day-to-day
Karri Ramo, G (lower-body) – On injured reserve
Kris Russell, D (lower-body) – Day-to-day
Dennis Wideman, D (suspension) -- Suspended
Hot
Brayden Schenn, C, PHI – Schenn has gone from being a highly touted prospect, and a key piece in a trade, to being just a guy. However, there can be fantasy value in somebody who is just a guy, especially when they are playing well. Schenn scored a goal and added two assists Tuesday against New Jersey. He has three goals in his last four games to go with those two helpers. He now has 17 goals on the season, and he's primed to set a new career high in that regard. He's not a special talent, but he is a good player, and that counts for something.
Joe Thornton, C, SAN – Thornton is 36. He's been in the league for 17 years. Just try and slow him down. With two assists on Tuesday, Thornton now has a six game point streak. On top of, that, he has a point in 16 of his last 17 games. That's not just hot. That's a sustained period of hotness. This also probably means he will cool down a bit. Players just don't score this frequently for extended periods of time, even if they are future Hall of Famers.
Cold
Morgan Rielly, D, TOR – If the absence of Dion Phaneuf has had any impact on Reilly, and it's truthfully too early to tell, it hasn't been positive. Reilly has zero points in his last six games, and one in his last nine games. He's also a dreadful minus-8 in his last five games. This has dropped him down to a minus-9 on the season, and, as the Maple Leafs continue to rebuild, that likely won't improve. The team around Reilly will probably get worse going forward, and right now it is hard for things to get any worse for him.
Radim Vrbata, RW, VAN – Vrbata was a nice little under the radar player for a couple years, but, right now, it would be better for him to be off the radar. He only has two points in his last 10 games, and they are both assists. This from a guy who scored 31 goals last year. He's still taking a lot of shots, but they just aren't going in. Oh, and his plus/minus has been bad, but he's minus-28 on the year, so that's a season long thing. A little bounce back is likely, but Vrbata is also 34. Bouncing back is not a given.
Recommended Pickup
Mattias Ekholm, D, NAS – After the defensive situation in Nashville got shaken up, largely as a result of the Seth Jones trade, Ekholm has seen his stock take a nice boost. Over the last month, he has 10 points in 12 games, and he's also a plus-6, and he's added 12 penalty minutes. He had 52 PIM last year, so that's not a total fluke. Additionally, he's now playing well over 20 minutes a night. Obviously, guys like Shea Weber and Roman Josi are still the big dogs for the Predators, but there's room for a guy like Ekholm to make some noise.
