Aberg was forced to leave Friday’s game in Dallas with a lower-body injury and is questionable for tonight’s game vs. Blackhawks. Aberg has been solid, picking up three assists in five games since joining the Wild.
Thomas returns to the lineup after a seven-game absence, replacing Sammy Blais, who is back in the AHL. Thomas has 14 points (5G / 9A) in 37 games this season.
Varlamov allowed three goals on 26 shots in Colorado’s loss to Nashville on January 21st. Varlamov went 2-4-0 with a 2.89 GAA and .888 SV% in six starts in January. He hasn’t faced the Canucks this season but has been solid at the Pepsi Center—going 6-4-4 with a 2.61 GAA and .913 SV% in 15 starts.
Perry will his first game of the season and is expected to start on the top line with Ryan Getzlaf and Rickard Rakell. Perry is now 33-years-old and coming off of a 17-goal, 32-assist (49 points) season a year ago.
Anderson allowed three goals on 33 shots in the Maple Leafs loss to the Coyotes on January 22nd. Since returning from injury, Anderson has lost two in a row while allowing a combined six goals on 71 shots (.916 SV%). He’s had a rough campaign but Anderson has gone 2-0-0 with a 1.50 GAA and .952 SV% in two games vs. the Red Wings this season.
Gostisbehere has missed the last three games but is set to return on Saturday afternoon. Gosisbehere has been a bit disappointing this season, picking up just 20 points (5G / 15A) in 48 games.
Stalock was pulled after allowing three goals on eight shots in the Wild’s loss to the Ducks on January 17th. Stalock wrapped up January with his worst outing of the season, finishing the month at 1-2-0 with a 3.99 GAA and .865 SV%. In two appearances (one start) vs. Chicago this season, Stalock is 0-1-0 while allowing just three goals on 36 shots (.917 SV%).
Binnington stopped 12 of 13 shots in the Blues 5-1 win over the Ducks on January 23rd. It was about as easy of a win as Binnington will have in his NHL career and saw him finish January at 5-1-1 with a 1.57 GAA, .936 SV% and one shutout. Tonight he sees a Blue Jackets team that has lost four in a row while scoring just 2.25 goals per game.
Gibson gave up five goals on 33 shots in the Ducks loss to the Blues on January 23rd. Gibson has fallen on hard times, going 2-7-4 with a 3.18 GAA, .903 SV% and one shutout in his last 14 starts. Gibson’s Vezina Trophy hopes seem to be slipping away because of the poor play in front of him. He comes into Saturday’s contest at 8-10-1 with a 2.62 GAA and .927 SV% on the road.
Blackwood allowed three goals on just 14 shots in the Devils 3-2 loss to the Ducks on January 19th. Blackwood’s had some great games since being recalled but has lost three of his last five while allowing a combined 18 goals on 145 shots (.876 SV%). He comes into Saturday at 1-3-0 with a 2.86 GAA and .922 SV% in five starts on the road.
Kopitar skipped the Kings morning skate and is questionable for tonight’s game in Brooklyn. The Kings are already a bad team and would be extremely thin if Kopitar can’t play. Monitor his status as the Kings hit the ice for pre-game warmups.
Roslovic left the morning skate early because he “cramped up,” so he will be a game-time decision vs. the Ducks. Roslovic has heated up recently, scoring two goals with one assist in his last five games.
Zajac did not travel to Montreal for Saturday’s game, so look for Kurtis Gabriel to suit up in his place. Pavel Zach will likely move up the lineup to replace Zajac, who has two goals and nine assists (11 points) in his last 12 games.
Hellebuyck allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Jets win over the Blue Jackets on Thursday. Since returning from the break, Hellebuyck has gone 2-0-0 while allowing a combined six goals on 70 shots (.914 SV%). It hasn’t always been pretty but the wins continue to pile up for Hellebuyck, who is now tied for second in the NHL with 23 despite being tied for 21st in SV% (.910) and 24th in GAA (2.85).
Sparks allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Maple Leafs loss in Florida on January 18th. With Frederik Andersen starting last night, Sparks will face the Penguins in Toronto, where he is 3-1-1 with a 2.78 GAA, .911 SV% and one shutout this season. The Penguins have won 13 of their last 18 (13-5-0) but played last night vs. the Senators.
Quick allowed three goals on 36 shots in the Kings win over the Blues on January 21st. January was a pretty tough month for Quick, who went 3-3-1 with a 3.21 GAA, .902 SV% and one shutout. Tonight he will face an Islanders team that has won 15 of their last 20 (15-3-2) games.
Nutivaara was a healthy scratch in Winnipeg on Thursday but will play tonight vs. the Blues. Nutivaara is expected to replace Dean Kukan and re-enters the lineup with no points in his last four games and just 15 points (4G / 11A) in 49 games this season.
Klefbom was listed as a game-time decision coming into Saturday’s game but will miss his 20th consecutive game. Klefbom is on the trip with the Oilers, so it’s possible he returns to the lineup on Sunday.
McCoshen played just 11:23 TOI last night and will be replaced by MacKenzie Weegar on Saturday. McCoshen has not picked up a point in five games with the Panthers this season.
Murray was banged up in Winnipeg on Thursday and is a question mark for Saturday’s game vs. the Blues. Murray has played well as of late, picking up eight assists in his last 11 games.
