Binnington allowed three goals on 23 shots (.870 SV%) as he picked up his third straight loss in a defeat vs. Dallas his last time out. The 29-year-old has had a shaky start to the season, posting a 9-8-0 record with a .900 SV% and 3.05 GAA. He is expected to face a lot of rubber Thursday as he takes on the Carolina Hurricanes, who are third in the NHL in shots per game (35.4) and currently on a two-game winning streak.
Kovacevic finds himself a healthy scratch for the third time this season after collecting two points, eight PIMs, 27 SOG and a +5 plus/minus rating through 20 games this season.
Xhekaj missed Montreal's last game as a healthy scratch but will draw back into the lineup Thursday vs. Calgary. The rookie has had a strong start to his career, with three goals, three assists, 36 SOG and a league-leading 47 PIMs through 20 games prior to his scratching.
Grubauer stopped 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%) in his previous start vs. Vegas to pick up his first win of the season. The 31-year-old has battled injury all season and struggled in his limited action, posting a 1-1-1 record with a 3.35 GAA and .870 SV%. He will face the Washington Capitals, who have won three of their last four contests after a 5-1 win over Vancouver in their last game.
Daws did not see any action as he backed up Vitek Vanecek for a game and will head back to Utica (AHL) after being reassigned there Thursday. Prior to his promotion, the 22-year-old netminder had a 3-4-1 record, a .906 SV% and a 2.46 GAA. He played in 25 games with the Devils last season, struggling with a .893 SV% and 3.11 GAA.
Detroit was Hellberg's third NHL team this season after playing one game between both Ottawa and Seattle where he won after stopping 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%). The 31-year-old veteran has six career NHL games and has won three of them. He has been assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) for conditioning.
Oettinger allowed five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) in a loss to Winnipeg in his previous start. The 23-year-old has been solid this season, posting an 8-2-3 record with a 2.52 GAA and .917 SV%. He takes on the struggling Anaheim Ducks, who have lost seven of their last eight contents and rank 31st in the NHL in goals per game (2.48).
Allen stopped 20 of 23 shots (.870 SV%) but took his second straight loss as he was defeated by San Jose in his previous start. The 10-year veteran has struggled this season, with a 6-8-0 record, 3.57 GAA and .890 SV%. He faces off against the Calgary Flames who will be looking to extend a three-game home winning streak.
Beaulieu was a healthy scratch last game for Anaheim but will be back in the lineup Thursday vs. Dallas. The 29-year-old has three assists and 28 PIMs with a -3 plus/minus through 12 games this season.
White will head to the press box Thursday as he is replaced by Nathan Beaulieu. The 25-year-old will be a healthy scratch after putting up an assist and nine SOG with a -5 plus/minus through 12 games so far this season.
Quick was pulled after allowing five goals on 14 shots (.643 SV%) in his previous start which ended in a 9-8 loss to Seattle. Quick has failed to find his footing this season as shown by his .890 SV%, 3.30 GAA and 7-6-2 record. It could not be better timing for him to draw the Arizona Coyotes who rank 27th in the NHL in goals per game (2.7) and last in shots per game (24.3).
Stolarz allowed five goals on 33 shots (.848 SV%) in his last start a week ago in a loss to Ottawa. The Ducks' backup has struggled in limited action this season as shown by his 2-3-0 record, 3.75 GAA and 890 SV%. He takes on the Dallas Stars who are first in the Central Divison and won their last game 4-1 over St. Louis.
Raanta stopped 18 of 20 shots (.900 SV%) to snap a three-game losing streak as he beat the Calgary Flames his last time out. The Hurricanes' backup goalie has put up average numbers this season with his 4-2-2 record, 2.47 GAA and .901 SV%. He faces off against the St. Louis Blues who have lost three of their last four contests.
Tarasov will head back to the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) after Elvis Merzlikins was activated from the injured reserve (hip) Thursday. Tarasov did a fine job while called up to Columbus, posting a 2-3-1 record with a .912 SV% and 3.17 GAA.
Merzlikins has missed the past six games due to a hip injury but has been activated off the injured reserve Thursday. He has struggled in limited showings this season, posting a 2-5-0 record with a 4.74 GAA and .864 SV%.
Laine has missed the Blue Jackets' previous seven games due to an ankle injury but is expected to return to the lineup Friday after he was activated from the injured reserve. The 24-year-old has two goals, two assists, 29 SOG and a -4 plus/minus through eight injury-riddled games so far this season.
Georgiev allowed five goals on 23 shots (.783 SV%) in the worst start of his Avalanche career his last time out vs. Winnipeg. The 26-year-old has been incredible this season as shown by his 10-3-1 record, 2.48 GAA and .926 SV%. He takes on the Buffalo Sabres' who are surprisingly fifth in the NHL in goals for (3.7) per game and 12th in SOG (32.6).
Tinordi has been out since Nov.25th due to a hip injury and was placed on the injured reserve Thursday. The veteran defenseman was having a career season as he had two goals, and three assists with 15 PIMs in 20 games prior to the injury which is already career-highs in goals and points.
Binnington allowed three goals on 23 shots (.870 SV%) as he picked up his third straight loss in a defeat vs. Dallas his last time out. The 29-year-old has had a shaky start to the season, posting a 9-8-0 record with a .900 SV% and 3.05 GAA. He is expected to face a lot of rubber Thursday as he takes on the Carolina Hurricanes who are third in the NHL in shots per game (35.4) and currently on a two-game winning streak.
Markstrom allowed three goals on 25 shots (.880 SV%) in a loss his last time out six days ago vs. Washington. The 32-year-old is slowly losing his firm grip on the starting position due to his .889 SV%, 3.03 GAA and 8-5-2 record. He faces off against the Montreal Canadiens who are bottom ten in the NHL in both goals per game (2.82 - 24th) and shots on goal (30.3 - 22nd) per game.
