What It Means:

Crawford hasn't played since undergoing an emergency appendectomy procedure on December 3. He's resumed skating however, and a Tuesday practice would set him up to return to the post on Friday versus the Colorado Avalanche. Scott Darling has been superb in relief, but will return to primary backup duties with Crawford healthy.

Crawford owns a 12-6-2 record this season, posting a .927 save percentage and 2.27 goals-against average with a pair of shutouts. Not to be outdone, Darling has gone 10-2-2 with a .927 save percentage, while allowing 2.22 goals per game.