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).
Rinne allowed four goals on 31 shots in the Predators loss in Boston last Saturday. Rinne has lost four straight games (0-3-1) with a 2.54 GAA and .918 SV%. Rinne will look to snap his losing skid against the Stars. He comes in at 11-3-0 with a 1.86 GAA, .928 SV% and two shutouts on home-ice this season.
Howard allowed two goals on 23 shots in the Red Wings loss to the Panthers last Saturday. The 34-year-old has gone 2-2-1 with a 2.53 GAA and .923 SV% in December as he continues his resurgent season despite playing behind a below-average Red Wings squad. However, he draws a tough assignment tonight in Pittsburgh, so consider leaving him on your bench.
Mrazek allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Hurricanes win over the Bruins last Sunday. Mrazek only started one game in November but has already played in seven games this month, going 3-4-0 with a 2.47 GAA, .914 SV% and one shutout. The 26-year-old comes into Thursday’s game at 2-4-1 with a 2.47 GAA and .910 SV% on the road this year.
Holtby allowed one goal on 37 shots in the Capitals win over the Sabres last Friday. Holtby has won four of his last five starts with a 1.98 GAA, .937 SV% and one shutout. One of those wins came against the Hurricanes, who he’ll face again tonight—he allowed five goals on 27 shots in a 6-5 shootout win in Carolina on December 14th.
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).
Kuemper gave up three goals on 38 shots in the Coyotes win in San Jose last Sunday. It was Kuemper’s first win since November 15th, snapping a personal six-game losing streak. Kuemper is 1-4-0 with a 3.03 GAA and .904 SV% since returning from injury but draws a solid matchup in Los Angeles. However, Kuemper has an ugly 3.22 GAA and .900 SV% on the road this year.
Graves was a fourth-round pick of the Rangers in 2013 and will make his NHL debut tonight after playing 254 career AHL games. Graves, who has eight points (2G / 6A) in 26 games this season, will replace Anton Lindholm on the Avalanche blueline.
Grubauer was pulled after giving up four goals on 16 shots in Colorado’s loss in Arizona before the break. Grubauer has been seeing extra playing time recently but has a 3.33 GAA and .892 SV% in December. TO make things worse is a difficult road matchup in Vegas, where the Golden Knights are 11-3-3 this season.
Markstrom allowed one goal on 24 shots in the Canucks loss to the Jets last Saturday. It was another great performance from Markstrom but snapped a six-game winning streak for him. Over his last seven games, Markstrom has posted a 1.58 GAA and .944 SV%. In his first start against the Oilers, Markstrom turned aside 20 of 22 shots in a 4-2 win (Dec.16).
Gibson turned aside 30 of 32 shots in the Ducks loss in Buffalo last Saturday. Gibson has lost two in a row and is now 5-3-0 with a 2.67 GAA and .917 SV% in December. Tonight he will take one the Sharks for the third time this season—Gibson has gone 1-0-1 with a 2.95 GAA and .927 SV% in the first two meetings.
