Varlamov surrendered three goals on 31 shots in the Islanders win over the Flyers last Sunday. Thomas Greiss started last night so look for Varlamov to get the second game of their back-to-back in Buffalo. He comes into play on a four-game winning streak, posting a 1.96 GAA and .935 SV% in the process. He is a good option whenever the Islanders call on him.
Cave was recently recalled from Bakersfield (AHL) and will replace Riley Sheahan (undisclosed) on Saturday. Cave has no points in two games with Edmonton this season but has three assists in six AHL games.
Sheahan missed the final two periods of Wednesday's game in Columbus and will come out of the lineup on Saturday. Colby Cave was recalled from the AHL and will draw in on the fourth line.
Smith allowed one goal on 24 shots in the Oilers win in Columbus on Wednesday. The win was Smith's first since October 12th and pushed him to 4-3-1 with a 2.29 GAA and .919 SV% on the season. Smith has been great on the road, going 2-2-1 with a 1.38 GAA and .947 SV% in five games but has a tough matchup vs. a Penguins team that is hot and finally healthy.
Hutton allowed two goals on 44 shots in the Sabres loss to the Coyotes on Monday. Linus Ullmark started in Washington last night, so Hutton will face the Islanders on the tail-end of the back-to-back. Hutton has been outstanding in Buffalo, going 4-0-1 with a 2.13 GAA, .924 SV% and one shutout in five starts on home-ice.
Reimer stopped all seven shots that he faced in relief in his last appearance (Oct.18). Petr Mrazek has been used exclusively in the last five games but Reimer will be back in on the tail-end of a back-to-back. He is 2-2-0 with a 2.67 GAA and .918 SV% in five appearances and tonight he faces a Devils team that has lost three in a row.
Andersen allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Maple Leafs loss to the Capitals on Tuesday. Andersen was able to win six of his first 10 starts but he posted a forgettable .901 SV% in the month of October. Tonight will make his third road start of the season--he is 2-0-0 with a 1.50 GAA and .946 SV% in the first two outings.
Dubnyk stopped 24 of 26 shots in the Wild's loss in St. Louis on Wednesday. Dubnyk has put a tough start behind him, going 2-1-0 with a 2.14 GAA and .926 SV% in his last three outings. Goal support is going to be an issue all season but tonight he catches the Blues on a back-to-back with Jake Allen in the other crease this time.
Malkin has missed 11 games with a lower-body issue but will be back in his familiar second-line centre and PP1 role this afternoon. Malkin had one goal in two games before getting hurt.
Murray stopped 29 of 30 shots in the Penguins 7-1 blowout win over the Flyers on Tuesday. Murray has won two in a row while stopping 54 of 55 shots (.982 SV%) and has been victorious in six of his last seven with a 1.84 GAA and .933 SV%. Murray has played well and the Oilers have gone 2-3-1 while averaging 1.83 goals per game in their last six.
Kampfer has been a healthy scratch for the last six games but will play in his second game of the season on Saturday. A matchup vs. a weak Senators team is a good opportunity to get Kampfer in the lineup and give Connor Clifton the night off.
Clifton has played in six straight games but head coach Bruce Cassidy will scratch him for Steven Kampfer on Saturday. Clifton has no points in 11 games this season.
Ritchie is dealing with some kind of infection and will not be in the lineup tonight. Peter Cehlarik has been called up from Providence (AHL) and will replace Ritchie on the third line.
Cehlarik will draw into the Bruins lineup on Saturday with Brett Ritchie sidelined with an infection. Cehlarik has enjoyed a terrific start to the 2019-20 AHL season, registering 10 points (6G / 4A) in seven games. He has 10 points (5G / 5A) in 38 career games with Boston.
The Maple Leafs were hopeful that Tavares would be able to return to the lineup on Saturday but head coach Mike Babcock ruled him out this morning. Look for the captain to return vs. the Kings on Tuesday.
Ladd continues to recover from a torn ACL and has been skating on his own. He's been sent to Bridgeport where he'll continue to get back up to game-speed before making an NHL comeback. Ladd has not played since March 24th, 2019.
Lilja appeared in the last two games while replacing an injured Alexandre Texier but heads to the AHL for the first time in his career. Kole Sherwood comes up from Cleveland (AHL) to take his spot on Saturday.
Sherwood appeared in two games with the Blue Jackets last season but started 2019-20 in the AHL. The 22-year-old forward scored three goals and one assist in 10 games with Cleveland and will replace Jakob Lilja on the fourth line on Saturday.
After the Lightning signed Curtis McElhinney, Domingue was pushed back to the AHL, where he is 2-1-1 with a 3.81 GAA and .863 SV% to start the season. Domingue provides the Devils with extra goaltending depth, a position that has been lacking to start 2019-20.
Howard stopped 31 of 32 shots in the Red Wings win over the Oilers on Tuesday. The Red Wings' netminders have been alternating starts but on Friday, Hethey will start Howard two in a row for the first time this season. He is 10-10-1 on the road since the start of last season and Hurricanes present a very scary road matchup for Howie and the Red Wings.
