Head-to-Head Faceoff: Jhonas Enroth Time?

By Alexander Monaghan
Editor-in-chief

Anaheim Ducks

(Van, Nsh, Min) Following a three-day layoff, Jonas Hiller could start all three games. However, coach Randy Carlyle and company could opt to send Dan Ellis out there against his former team. Typically a starting goalie is not announced until 30 minutes prior to game time so check the starting goalies section regularly and often

Boston Bruins

(NYI, Edm, Buf) Tim Thomas started the first two games this month so expect Tuukka Rask to get a nod this week. With the Bruins on a modest two-game winning streak, they can afford to rest their number one.

Buffalo Sabres

(Wpg, Ott, @Bos) Jhonas Enroth received the start on back-to-back games but look for Ryan Miller to start two of the three games.

Calgary Flames

(Min, @Chi, Col) Henrik Karlsson made his obligatory start every five games but could get a start on either Friday or Saturday due to back-to-back scheduling. Otherwise, expect Miikka Kiprusoff in nets for the Flames.

Carolina Hurricanes

(@NJ, @NYR, Pit) Following a shellacking at the hands of the Dallas Stars, starting goalie Cam Ward could sit in favor of his backup Brian Boucher. The veteran netminder was almost guaranteed a start this weekend without Ward’s struggles.

Chicago Blackhawks

(@Stl, @Cbs, Cgy, Edm) Ray Emery frequently starts back-to-back games for the Hawks, so expect him to start at least one of the four contests. Otherwise, Corey Crawford should man the pipes for the other three.

Colorado Avalanche

(@Det, NYI, Cgy) The Avs have a light schedule but they likely give Semyon Varlamov a rest. Jean-Sebastien Giguere last started on October 26th which would put the Avs next game almost two weeks out.

Columbus Blue Jackets

(Chi, Wpg) Steve Mason probably gets both starts this week. Mark Dekanich and Curtis Sanford should return within the next week but likely won’t help the struggling Blue Jackets right now.

Dallas Stars

(@Was, @Pit, @Det) According to Mark Stepneski of Andrew’s Stars Page, Andrew Raycroft will start one of the next three games. Otherwise, continue to roll our Kari Lehtonen with confidence.

Detroit Red Wings

(Col, Edm, Dal) Now that the Red Wings won a game, they can give Ty Conklin another start. If the veteran backup does get another nod, it will likely be during the back-to-back games against the Oilers and Stars.

Edmonton Oilers

(@Mon, @Bos, @Det, @Chi) The Oilers play four games with back-to-back contest. Devan Dubnyk and Nikolai Khabibulin both will share the reigns with ‘The Bulin Wall’ likely to start three tilts.

Florida Panthers

(@Tor, @Wpg, Phi) At this point it doesn’t sound like Jacob Markstrom will be starting any games this week. In fact, he should be sent down very soon. Expect Jose Theodore to handle the workload in the meantime.

Los Angeles Kings

(@SJ, Nsh, Van, Min) We know Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier split the first two games of this week. After that Quick probably can handle the next two starts.

Minnesota Wild

(@Cgy, @SJ, @LA, @Anh) Josh Harding started and won the last four games but Niklas Backstrom is listed as likely for Tuesday’s game. Expect this goalie controversy to continue so make sure you monitor our starting goalies section.

Montreal Canadiens

(Edm, @Pho, @Nsh) No back-to-back games means Carey Price could play all three games. Then again, he started consecutive games this weekend so a Peter Budaj sighting may just happen.

Nashville Predators

(@LA, @Anh, Mon) Anders Lindback could start one of the two remaining West Coast road games. Otherwise, expect the newly re-signed Pekka Rinne to start at least two tilts.

New Jersey Devils

(Car, Was, @Was) Johan Hedberg is day-to-day but healthy enough to backup Martin Brodeur. Look for him to start one of the weekend games of the home and home series.

New York Islanders

(@Bos, @Col, @Van) Rick DiPietro appears healthy so he should stay on the inside track as the team’s starting goalie. If he gets any rest, Evgeni Nabokov probably starts ahead of Al Montoya. Check the starting goalies section on a nightly basis.

New York Rangers

(@Ott, Car) A light schedule and extra rest should put Henrik Lundqvist in nets both nights.

Ottawa Senators

(@NYR, @Buf, @Tor) Craig Anderson should play the first game of the week but could concede to Alex Auld during the weekend’s back-to-back tilts.

Philadelphia Flyers

(@TB, @Fla) Although the team only plays two games, Sergei Bobrovsky could start the second game as it is the first of back-to-back tilts. Otherwise, expect Ilya Bryzgalov between the pipes.

Phoenix Coyotes

(Mon, @SJ) Mike Smith can and should handle this two-start week.

Pittsburgh Penguins

(Dal, @Car) Even though the Pens only play two games, they fall on consecutive nights. Veteran backup goalie Brent Johnson probably gets into one of the two games.

San Jose Sharks

(LA, Min, Pho) Antti Niemi has not been sharp, leading to speculation that Thomas Greiss could start against the Kings. Carefully monitor this situation as the Sharks try to find the right mix.

St. Louis Blues

(Chi, Tor, TB) Newly appointed coach Ken Hitchcock may give the team a clean start and give talented goalie Jaroslav Halak an extended look. At this point it’s hard to see what he will do differently than former coach Davis Payne.

Tampa Bay Lightning

(Phi, @Stl) Neither Dwayne Roloson nor Mathieu Garon have taken the reigns as the team’s starting goalie. At this point, flip a coin.

Toronto Maple Leafs

(Fla, @Stl, Ott) Ben Scrivens looked good in his first start before a 7-0 drubbing. He could give the job back to Jonas Gustavsson while James Reimer continues to recover from concussion-like symptoms. Check the starting goalies section frequently as coach Ron Wilson has been known to make last-minute changes.

Vancouver Canucks

(@LA, @Anh, NYI) A solid win against the Chicago Blackhawks gave Roberto Luongo a bit more leeway between the pipes. Nevertheless, Cory Schneider could find his way into a game this week.

Washington Capitals

(Dal, @NJ, NJ) Tomas Vokoun took the blame for the team’s most recent loss but shouldn’t lose his job because of it. His counterpart, Michal Neuvirth, won his last game and could steal two of the three starts this week.

Winnipeg Jets

(@Buf, Fla, @Cbs) There was speculation Chris Mason may have been healthy enough to start against the Sabres. Should he remain sidelined, look for Ondrej Pavelec to continue starting every game for the Jets.

—

Next week’s games:

4 Games—Sabres, Hurricanes. Avalanche, Wings, Habs
3 Games—Ducks, Bruins, Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, Stars, Panthers, Kings, Wild , Predators, Devils, Islanders, Senators, Flyers, Coyotes, Penguins, Blues , Lightning , Leafs, Jets
2 Games—Flames, Oilers, Rangers, Canucks, Caps

—