Benn has been out since the Stars' season opener but will be one of three game-time decisions for Saturday's game in Carolina. The Stars are hopeful that at least two of Benn, Roope Hintz and/or Blake Comeau can play tonight, so there's a chance that Benn plays.
Not only will Saturday be his season debut but it will also be the first game of his NHL career at forward. Morin is a 6-foot-6, 206 lbs. former first-round pick who made the switch from D to forward this offseason. He has no points in nine career NHL games thus far but he's expected to replace Travis Konecny in the lineup on Saturday.
Konecny was held without a shot in 17:33 TOI in Thursday's win and has just one assist and one shot in his last three games. Head coach Alain Vigneault was displeased with his top-6 despite the win and it looks like he was particularly unhappy with Konecny, who could be a healthy scratch on Saturday. Konecny stayed on for extra work with the scratches following the morning skate, so look for Samuel Morin to replace him vs. the Islanders.
Hart stopped 33 of 34 shots in the Flyers win in New Jersey on Thursday. It was a terrific bounce-back performance from Hart, who had given up 14 goals in three straight losses in is previous outings. Tonight he'll face an Islanders team that has lost their last three games while averaging just 1.67 goals per game.
Mrazek stopped all 32 shots that he faced in a 1-0 shutout win over the Lightning on Thursday. After 12 days off in between starts, Mrazek showed no signs of rust in an impressive win over the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Through three games, Mrazek has recorded two shutouts, for a 1.01 GAA and .955 SSV% overall. Tonight he'll face a Dallas team that has opened the season at 4-0-0 after a late start due to COVID-19.
DeSmith allowed four goals on 26 shots in the Penguins win over the Capitals last Tuesday. Tristan Jarry started the last four games but DeSmith will make his third start Saturday in New York. He's won his first two starts despite allowing seven goals on 49 shots (.857 SV%). The Rangers enter play having lost four of their last five, included two in a row to the Penguins last weekend.
Pulock missed Friday's practice with a leg injury that he seemingly suffered late in Thursday's game in Washington. Head coach Barry Trotz called him a game-time decision for Saturday but also added that he expects him to play.
Forsling suffered an upper-body injury in Columbus on Thursday and head coach Joel Quenneville expects him to miss at least one week. The Panthers dressed seven defensemen last game but with Forsling out, they will likely go back to 12 forwards and six defensemen. Expect Aleksi Heponiemi to make his NHL debut in his place.
Khudobin allowed one goal on 21 shots in the Stars win over the Red Wings on Tuesday. Jake Oettinger gave him a breather on Thursday but it will be Khudobin tonight in Carolina. He picked up right where he left off in the bubble, winning each of his first three starts while posting a sparkling 0.99 GAA, .958 SV% and one shutout in his first three outings. Tonight he'll take on a Hurricanes team that is coming off of a great win over the Lighting on Thursday and sit at 3-1-0 through four games.
Wedgewood gave up three goals on 17 shots in the Devils' loss to the Flyers on Thursday. New Jersey dominated the game but were unable to get timely saves from Wedgewood, who has now lost three of his first starts wile posting a 2.80 GAA and .900 SV%. On Saturday he will face a sabres team that has been very competitive to start the season, opening at 3-3-2 while averaging 2.75 goals per game (19th).
Bobrovsky allowed three goals on 22 shots sin the Panthers' win in Columbus on Tuesday. Despite giving up a combined seven goals on 58 shots (.879 SV%), Bobrovsky has opened the season at 2-0-0 and draws an outstanding matchup tonight in Detroit. The Red Wings are without a number of key players and have lost four consecutive games while scoring just 1.75 goals per game.
Markstrom allowed four goals on 21 shot sin the Flames loss to the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. David Rittich gave him the night off in Montreal on Thursday, so Markstrom will be making his sixth start of the year on Saturday. He's dropped two straight and is 2-2-1 with a 2.62 GAA and .911 SV% in his first five starts in a Flames uniform.
With Sam Reinhart day-to-day with an upper-body injury, Thompson will draw into the lineup vs. the Devils. Thompson is expected to skate on the top line with Jack Eichel and Victor Olofsson and comes in with one assist in four games this year.
Reinhart was missing from Friday's practice after suffering an upper-body injury on Thursday. With Reinhart out, Tage Thompson skated on the top line yesterday, so look for that to be the case vs. the Devils. Reinhart is listed as day-to-day.
Ullmark allowed three goals on 39 shots in the Sabres loss to the Rangers on Thursday. Ullmark has been a workhorse for the Sabres, with Saturday marking his fifth consecutive start. He's gone 2-0-2 while stopping 121 of the 132 shots (.917 SV%) that he's faced. Buffalo has been terrific defensively so far this season, so Ullmark continues to be a strong fantasy option in the right matchups.
Talbot has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury that he suffered vs. the Sharks on January 22nd. Kaapo Kahkonen will make his fourth straight start but Talbot will backup and should be available to start Sunday.
