Luongo allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Panthers win in Buffalo on Tuesday. Luongo has won two straight while allowing just five goals on 64 shots (.922 SV%). Tonight he faces a high-powered Maple Leafs squad for the second time in a week. Luongo allowed three goals on 32 shots in a 4-3 overtime win vs. Toronto last Saturday.
Dubnyk gave up three goals on 24 shots in the Wild’s loss to the Sharks on Tuesday. Dubnyk has played well in his last four games despite losing two of them. Dubnyk has stopped 104 of the last 111 shots (.937 SV%) that he has faced. The 32-year-old heads into Thursday’s game in Pittsburgh at 5-5-0 with a 2.65 GAA and .909 SV% on the road this year.
Hart allowed two goals on 22 shots in the Flyers win over the Red Wings in his NHL debut. It was a nice start to his career and Hart will likely continue to start as long as he is playing well. Hart appears to be the Flyers last resort and the 20-year-old draws a tough matchup tonight with the Predators in town—Nashville is 22-11-2 and are averaging 3.06 goals for per game (tied for 12th).
Bobrovsky stopped all 28 shots that he faced in the Blue Jackets 1-0 shutout win over the Golden Knights on Monday. It was an impressive outing for Bobrovsky, who has gone 2-0-1 while stopping 77 of the last 80 shots (.963 SV%) that he has faced. Bobrovsky has played great as of late and has a great matchup tonight versus a Devils team that has lost 10 of their last 12 (2-5-5).
Sedlak has been in the lineup for the last three games but will come out with Artemi Panarin returning to the lineup. Sedlak has just one goal and two assists in 25 games this season.
Panarin was a late scratch from Monday’s game due to a lower-body injury but will replace Lukas Sedlak on Thursday. Panarin has nine goals and 25 assists (34 points) in 31 games this season.
Gaudet has five goals and nine assists (14 points) in 27 games with the Admirals this season. Gaudet could make his Predators debut in Philadelphia on Thursday.
Hart allowed two goals on 22 shots in the Flyers win over the Red Wings in his NHL debut. It was a nice start to his career and Hart will likely continue to start as long as he is playing well. Hart appears to be the Flyers last resort and the 20-year-old draws a tough matchup tonight with the Predators in town—Nashville is 22-11-2 and are averaging 3.06 goals for per game (tied for 12th).
Wilson picked up just two assists in 14 games with Pittsburgh during his call-up. His return to the AHL suggests that Dominik Simon could be back on Thursday. Wilson has 12 points (6G / 6A) in 12 AHL contests.
Garland was given an opportunity to produce right away, playing on the top PP and seeing some top-6 minutes but didn’t pick up a point in six games. He heads back to Tucson where he has 19 points (8G / 11A) in 18 games this season.
The Coyotes were carrying three goalies but sent Hill to the AHL before the roster freeze so that he can play before the Christmas break. Hill was excellent during his call-up, going 5-3-0 with a 1.97 GAA and .926 SV% in nine games. He returns to the AHL where he is 4-1-0 with a 3.22 GAA and .871 SV%.
Lundestrom was this summer’s No.23 overall pick and started the year in Anaheim. The 19-year-old has just two assists in 15 games before being sent to San Diego (AHL) where he collected just six assists in 12 games. Lundestrom had two goals in seven games while representing Sweden at the World Juniors last year.
Howard was scheduled to start on Tuesday but was forced to sit after his back “locked up” during warmups. However, Howard was feeling much better in practice on Wednesday and believes he will be available to backup Jonathan Bernier in Carolina on Thursday.
Bernier surrendered three goals on 33 shots in the Red Wings loss in Philadelphia on Tuesday. With Jimmy Howard still battling a sore back, Bernier will start for the third straight game. Bernier has lost four straight starts while posting a 2.79 GAA and .908 SV%. Tonight he faces a Hurricanes team that has lost six of their last eight games (2-4-2) while averaging 2.63 goals for per game.
With Max Pacioretty going on IR, Pirri will get another shot with Vegas. The 27-year-old has been absolutely dominant in the AHL this season, leading all players in points (41) while ranking second in goals (17). Pirri could replace Pacioretty and skate in the top-6 immediately.
Pacioretty was forced to leave Monday’s game in Columbus with an undisclosed injury and was moved to IR on Wednesday. Brandon Pirri was recalled from the AHL to take Pacioretty’s spot on the roster.
Kovalchuk was originally expected to miss four weeks bu will return less than three weeks after undergoing a procedure on his ankle. Kovalchuk’s return to the NHL got off to a nice start, scoring five goals and nine assists (14 points) in his first 14 games but went pointless in 11 games before getting hurt.
Toews has registered five goals and 14 assists (19 points) in 24 games with Bridgeport this season. Over the last three years, Toews has 18 goals and 68 assists (86 points) in 130 games. He comes up with Thomas Hickey on IR and could make his NHL debut on Thursday.
Hickey missed Tuesday’s game in Arizona and was placed on IR on Wednesday, which rules him out for at least the next two games. He will be eligible to come off of IR and play next Friday after the Christmas break.
