Talbot was pulled after allowing three goals on 15 shots in the Oilers 7-4 loss to the Hurricanes on January 20th. Since shutting out the Ducks on January 6th, Talbot has allowed at least three goals in four straight games, going 1-2-0 with a 4.83 GAA and .857 SV% in the process. Today he will see a Flyers team that is riding a six-game winning streak.
Saros made 47 of 48 shots in the Predators win in Vegas on January 23rd. Saros has won two of his last three outings while stopping 99 shots 106 (.934 SV%). Saros figures to play a little more down the stretch and has been solid on the road this season, going 7-3-1 with a 2.72 GAA, .910 SV% and one shutout.
Andersen allowed three goals on 44 shots in the Maple Leafs win over the Capitals on January 23rd. Andersen only appeared in four games in January, going 2-2-0 with a 3.03 GAA and .919 SV%. He is a must-start tonight in Detroit—he stopped 26 of 29 shots in a 5-3 win in his first start against the Red Wings.
Ward allowed two goals on 36 shots in the Blackhawks shootout win over the Islanders on January 22nd. It was a strong outing for Ward, who will start for the second straight game on Friday. Ward has gone 2-2-0 with a 3.75 GAA and .892 SV% in four games in January.
Mrazek allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Hurricanes loss in Calgary on January 22nd. Mrazek saw quite a bit of action in January, going 4-2-1 with a 3.30 GAA and .880 SV% in seven starts. The 26-year-old draws a tough matchup but catches a break with Maxime Lagace starting for the Golden Knights.
Ward allowed two goals on 36 shots in the Blackhawks shootout win over the Islanders on January 22nd. It was a strong outing for Ward, who will start for the second straight game on Friday. Ward has gone 2-2-0 with a 3.75 GAA and .892 SV% in four games in January.
Forsling has missed the last eight games with an upper-body injury but will return to the lineup on Friday. The Blackhawks have assigned Henri Jokiharju to clear a roster spot for Forsling. He has two goals and four assists (six points) in 19 games this season.
Andersen allowed three goals on 44 shots in the Maple Leafs win over the Capitals on January 23rd. Andersen only appeared in four games in January, going 2-2-0 with a 3.03 GAA and .919 SV%. He is a must-start tonight in Detroit—he stopped 26 of 29 shots in a 5-3 win in his first start against the Red Wings.
Nilsson allowed one goal on 34 shots in the Senators win in Carolina on January 18th. Nilsson has won four of his last five starts and is 4-3-0 with a 2.14 GAA and .931 SV% in seven games since joining the Senators in early-January. Tonight he takes on a Penguins team that has gone 14-9-2 on home-ice so far this season.
Smith allowed four goals on 35 shots in the Flames win over the Red Wings on January 18th. Smith has won two in a row and three of his last four but has allowed a combined 13 goals on 116 shots (.888 SV%) during that span. In his first start against the Capitals, Smith allowed three goals on 27 shots in a 4-3 shootout loss (Oct.27).
Fleury was called up on Thursday but sent down on Friday. No explanation on why he was originally called-up was given.
Blackwell appeared in three games before the All-Star break and returns to the Predators with Auston Watson suspended indefinitely. Blackwell has seven goals and no assists in 16 games with Milwaukee.
Smith allowed four goals on 35 shots in the Flames win over the Red Wings on January 18th. Smith has won two in a row and three of his last four but has allowed a combined 13 goals on 116 shots (.888 SV%) during that span. In his first start against the Capitals, Smith allowed three goals on 27 shots in a 4-3 shootout loss (Oct.27).
Vasilevskiy allowed four goals on 22 shots in the Lightning’s loss in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Vasilevskiy hasn’t been great recently, losing three of his last four starts while allowing a combined 14 goals on 153 shots (.909 SV%). Vasilevskiy has allowed at least three goals in four of those five games and comes into Friday 1-1-0 with a 3.13. GAA and .906 SV% vs. the Islanders this season.
Nichushkin has been a healthy scratch for the last three games but will replace Jason Dickinson in the lineup on Friday. Nichushkin, who is expected to skate with Jason Spezza and Andrew Cogliano, has seven assists but no goals on 51 shots in 37 games this season.
Dickinson suffered a lower-body injury against the Sabres on Wednesday and will miss both the their games this weekend. Valeri Nichushkin will draw into the Stars lineup for Dickinson on Friday.
Pitlick has missed the last two games and is expected to miss at least two more weeks. With Pitlick out until mid-February, expect Denis Gurianov to remain with the big club.
Bertuzzi suffered an upper-body injury in the Red Wings’ final game before the All-Star break and will not be available for either of their games this weekend. Justin Abdelkader will move to the Red Wings’ top line beside Dylan Larkin while Bertuzzi is out.
Luongo allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Panthers win over the Sharks on January 21st. Luongo has won two straight while stopping 47 of 50 shots (.940 SV%) that he faced. Luongo has been terrible on the road this season but has stood tall in Florida, going 6-2-1 with a 2.32 GAA, .920 SV% and one shutout on home-ice.
Hutton allowed four goals on 37 shots in the Sabres win in Columbus on Tuesday. Hutton was able to record his 15th win of the season but has now allowed a combined 13 goals on 79 shots (.835 SV%) in his last three starts. The 33-year-old comes into Friday’s game at 10-4-2 with a 2.36 GAA and .927 SV% on home-ice this season.
