McAvoy was banged up before the Christmas break, missed Thursday’s game vs. New Jersey and was moved to IR on Friday. His move to IR simply means that he won’t play on Saturday but is eligible to play in the Winter Classic.
Lehner allowed one goal on 20 shots in the Islanders win in Dallas last Sunday. Lehner has won two in a row while stopping 55 of 57 shots (.965 SV%). Tonight he has a good matchup with the Senators in town without their No.1 netminder. Lehner is 1-1-2 with a 2.17 GAA, .924 SV% and one shutout in just five appearances on home-ice this season.
Fiore has 11 points (6G / 5A) in 23 games with San Diego (AHL) this season. Fiore will report to Tucson (AHL). He did not record a point in his only career NHL games last season.
Murphy has registered five goals and eight assists (13 points) in 27 games with Tucson (AHL) this season. Murphy will report to San Diego (AHL). He has just three points (1G / 2A) in eight career NHL games.
McKenna allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Senators loss to the Islanders last Saturday. With Craig Anderson out, McKenna will make his fifth appearance of December. In his previous four outings, McKenna has gone 0-2-1 with a 2.96 GAA and .923 SV%. Tonight he will take on an Islanders team that is 8-5-3 on home-ice.
Luongo allowed one goal on 34 shots in the Panthers win in Detroit last Saturday. Luongo has won three of their last four (3-1-0) while posting a 2.36 GAA and .921 SV%. He will look to stay hot tonight against his hometown team. Luongo is 17-14-7 with a 2.35 GAA and. 926 SV% against Montreal in his 19-year career.
Niemi was yanked after allowed seven goals on 23 shots in the Canadiens 7-1 loss in Minnesota on December 11th. With Carey Price on IR with a lower-body injury, Niemi will start Friday in Florida. Niemi has lost each of his last three starts while allowing a combined 16 goals on 106 shots (.849 SV%). Tonight he takes on a Panthers team that has won four of their last five while averaging 3.60 goals for per game.
McKenna allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Senators loss to the Islanders last Saturday. With Craig Anderson out, McKenna will make his fifth appearance of December. In his previous four outings, McKenna has gone 0-2-1 with a 2.96 GAA and .923 SV%. Tonight he will take on an Islanders team that is 8-5-3 on home-ice.
Clutterbuck was hurt early in the Islanders’ game in Dallas last Sunday and will not play Friday vs. the Senators.
Hickey will miss his fourth straight game on Friday and will not travel on the Islanders upcoming two-game road-trip. With Hickey out, Devon Toews will remain on the blueline.
Eberle was dealing with some “stiffness” following the Christmas break, missed Thursday’s practice and will not play Friday. With Eberle out, Josh Ho-Sang will move up to the Islanders’ top-line.
Bobrovsky stopped all 39 shots that he faced in the Blue Jackets shutout win in New Jersey last Sunday. Bobrovsky is riding a four-game winning streak, having allowed just four goals on 134 shots (.970 SV%). The 30-year-old has been excellent as of late but he has a tough matchup with the Maple Leafs in town—he is 1-1-0 with a 2.53 GAA and .915 SV% in the first two meetings this season.
Lehner allowed one goal on 20 shots in the Islanders win in Dallas last Sunday. Lehner has won two in a row while stopping 55 of 57 shots (.965 SV%). Tonight he has a good matchup with the Senators in town without their No.1 netminder. Lehner is 1-1-2 with a 2.17 GAA, .924 SV% and one shutout in just five appearances on home-ice this season.
Alzner routinely served as a healthy scratch earlier in the season and was eventually waived and sent to Laval. Overall, he has one assist in eight games with Montreal and two points (1G / 1A) in 10 games with Laval. He could play Friday in Florida on the third pair with Brett Kulak.
McNiven comes up to serve as Antti Niemi’s backup while Carey Price is out with a lower-body injury. McNiven has gone 4-4-1 with a 2.56 GAA and .884 SV% in 12 games with Laval this season.
Niemi was yanked after allowed seven goals on 23 shots in the Canadiens 7-1 loss in Minnesota on December 11th. With Carey Price on IR with a lower-body injury, Niemi will start Friday in Florida. Niemi has lost each of his last three starts while allowing a combined 16 goals on 106 shots (.849 SV%). Tonight he takes on a Panthers team that has won four of their last five while averaging 3.60 goals for per game.
Eriksson Ek was the No.20 overall pick in 2015 but has struggled to get his offensive game going at the NHL-level. Eriksson Ek has just four points (1G / 3A) in 27 games this year so he heads back to the AHL where he had eight points (3G / 5A) in eight games last season.
Guentzel was set to become a restricted free agent this summer but is now signed though the 2023-24 season. Guentzel is on-pace to shatter all of his previous career highs, picking up 15 goals and 18 assists (33 points) in 37 games—a 33-goal, 40-assist (73 points) pace.
Falk was forced to leave last Saturday’s game vs. Washington with what was diagnosed with a concussion. Falk will miss both of the Senators games this weekend and his status heading into next week remains in question.
Quick allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Kings win in San Jose last Saturday. Quick has won two in a row and is 4-5-1 with a 2.50 GAA, .919 SV% and one shutout since returning to the crease. In his first start against the Coyotes, Quick allowed two goals on 20 shots in a 2-1 loss (Dec.4).
