DeSmith allowed three goals on 36 shots in the Canucks' win in Florida last Saturday. DeSmith has played very well to start his Canucks' career, stopping 75 of the 81 shots (.926 SV%) he's faced in three games. Tonight he'll got head-to-head with Igor Shesterkin, and enters play as +143 home underdog.
Demko will start for the Canucks on Friday as the California-born goaltender will look for his third win of the season. On the season, Demko has a 2.42 GAA and .923 SV% in four games (2-2-0). In his most recent matchup, Demko had a light night, saving 15 of 17 shots in a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators. The Canucks are -188 home favourites against a stingy Blues team that is scoring (2.17 GF/GP) almost as infrequently as they are allowing goals (2.33 GA/GP).
Lagesson was called up on Friday from the Marlies (AHL), likely to replace Jake McCabe, who was injured after playing only 10 seconds on Friday and has been ruled out for the Maple Leafs Saturday night matchup against the Nashville Predators. In five games with the Marlies this season, Lagesson has one point (0G / 1A) and a -2 plus/minus rating.
Minten was one of the league's biggest camp surprises when he cracked the Maple Leafs' opening night roster but has been returned to Kamloops (WHL) after being a healthy scratch in Toronto's previous two outings. The 19-year-old was Toronto's 2022 second round pick (38th overall) and failed to pick up a point across his four game showing with the Maple Leafs early in the season. He returns to Kamloops, where he had 31 goals, 36 assists, 55 PIMs and a +24 plus/minus in 57 games played in 2022-23.
Demko is likely to start for the Canucks on Friday as the California-born goaltender will look for his third win of the season. On the season, Demko has a 2.42 GAA and .923 SV% in four games (2-2-0). In his most recent matchup, Demko had a light night, saving 15 of 17 shots in a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators. The Canucks are -188 home favourites against a stingy Blues team that is scoring (2.17 GF/GP) almost as infrequently as they are allowing goals (2.33 GA/GP).
Brannstrom's injury comes with news that fellow defenseman Thomas Chabot will be out 4-6 weeks due to a fractured hand, seriously draining the Senators' defensive core. In seven games this season, Brannstrom has zero points, nine shots, four penalty minutes, and a +1 plus/minus rating. Expect the Senators to make a call-up for their depleted blue line.
Chabot unfortunately finds himself in familiar territory, being forced to miss a significant amount of time due to injury as he will be recovering from a fractured hand. Over the past three seasons, Chabot has missed between 14 to 33 games due to various injuries. In seven games this season, Chabot accumulated three points (0G / 3A), 18 shots, and a -1 plus/minus rating. Fortunately for the Senators, they have several strong options on the blueline that will be able to eat into Chabot's minutes, namely Jake Sanderson and Jakob Chychrun.
Vanecek will take the starter's crease for the Devils on Friday as they will look to bounce back after a 6-4 loss to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. Vanecek, who allowed two goals on 16 shots coming in relief of Akira Schmid on Wednesday, has been the better of the two goalies thus far despite a pedestrian 3.10 GAA and .900 SV% in four games (2-2-0). The Devils are listed as -191 home favourites against a Buffalo Sabres team that is averaging only 2.71 goals per game, the 21st fewest in the league.
Carpenter has been recalled from the Barracuda (AHL) in relation to Alexander Barabanov being placed on the injured reserve with an upper-body injury. Carpenter has 72 points (27G / 45A) in 330 career NHL games and will make his Sharks season debut at some point during Barabanov's absence. He is expected to line up on the third line with Nico Sturm and Mike Hoffman.
Husso allowed five goals on 38 shots in the Red Wings' overtime loss to the Kraken on Tuesday. Husso hasn't been great to start the season, posting a 3.38 GAA and .893 SV% in his first five games. Tonight he'll face a Bruins team that is 14th in xGF/60 (3.20) and GF/60 (3.13).
Barkov will return to the Panthers' lineup on Saturday after missing their previous game with an undisclosed illness. Over his last four seasons, Barkov has never played more than 68 games. The Panthers and their fans alike will hope this most recent absence was a one-off as he is off to a great start this season, tallying six points (1G / 5A) in five games.
Kulikov has been dealing with an illness but could be an option for the Panthers on Saturday as he will be a game-time decision. He has three points (0G / 3A) and a +3 plus/minus rating through six games while primarily playing alongside Niko Mikkola on the Panthers' second defensive pairing.
Bennett has yet to play this season but could return on Saturday as he will be a game-time decision against the Seattle Kraken. Last season, he registered 40 points (16G / 24A) in 63 games and should provide an offensive spark for a Panthers team that is off to a 3-3-0 start.
Bobrovsky will return to the crease on Saturday after serving as a backup for the first time this season in a 3-1 win for Anthony Stolarz and the Panthers over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. Bobrovsky has been mediocre to start the season, posting a 3.06 GAA and .899 SV% through five games (2-3-0), and could see his stranglehold over the starting position be challenged if Stolarz can put together more strong starts. Bobrovsky and the Panthers will face off on Saturday against a Seattle Kraken team that has the sixth-worst offence (2.25 GF/GP)
Comrie will be the starter ahead of the Sabres Friday night matchup against the New Jersey Devils. With Devon Levi still injured, Comrie has seen most of the action in the crease and has fared well, posting a 2.05 GAA and .923 SV% in two games (1-1-0). That said, Comrie will face his toughest assignment yet on Friday as the Sabres will visit the New Jersey Devils and their third-ranked offence (4.00 GF/GP).
After playing his first three NHL games, Samoskevich has been returned to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. The 24th overall pick of the Panthers in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft recorded zero points, five shots, and a -2 plus/minus rating.
Comrie appears to be the starter ahead of the Sabres Friday night matchup against the New Jersey Devils. With Devon Levi still injured, Comrie has seen most of the action in the crease and has fared well, posting a 2.05 GAA and .923 SV% in two games (1-1-0). That said, Comrie will face his toughest assignment yet on Friday as the Sabres will visit the New Jersey Devils and their third-ranked offence (4.00 GF/GP).
Svechnikov will make his season debut tonight after suffering a knee injury and subsequent season-ending knee surgery late last season. Svechnikov, who has missed the Hurricanes' first eight games of the season, might be eased into the lineup after missing a significant amount of time but should find himself back in the top-six and top powerplay unit before long. The 23-year-old winger had 55 points (23G / 32A) in 64 games last season.
Kuemper will be the starter for the Capitals on Friday after watching Hunter Shepard lead them to a 6-4 victory over the New Jersey Devils in his first career NHL game. Kuemper, and the Capitals as a whole, have struggled immensely to start the season. Kuemper's 3.67 GAA and .868 SV% through four games (1-2-1) pale in comparison to the 2.56 GAA and .916 SV% he has amassed over his 360-game career (166-123-44) and is a clear indication this Capitals team is no longer the powerhouse it once was. Despite being -125 home favourites, Kuemper and the Capitals will be challenged against the Minnesota Wild and their fifth-ranked offence (3.86 GF / GP).
