Marc-Andre Fleury has to serve a one-game suspension for skipping the All-Star game, so Dansk will serve as Malcolm Subban's backup on Friday. He'll likely return to the AHL following tonight's game.
Malcolm Subban will likely start in Carolina on Friday with Fleury serving his one-game suspension. Oskar Dansk was recalled from the AHL to serve as Subban's backup. Look for Fleury to start Saturday in Nashville.
Howard allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Red Wings loss in Minnesota on January 22nd. Howard is 0-6-1 with a 4.13 GAA and .882 SV% in seven starts in January and is winless (0-14-2) in his last 16 starts. As bad as he's been this year, the New York native has been great at Madison Square Garden--going 3-2-2 with a 1.99 GAA and .938 SV% there over the last five years.
Niederreiter was late to arrive at practice on Thursday and stayed on with the scratches at Friday's morning skate, suggesting that he will be scratched tonight. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour wouldn't commit to making him a scratch but all signs are pointing towards that being a reality.
Varlamov allowed five goals on 29 shots in the Islanders loss to the Capitals on January 18th. Varlamov has lost four straight starts (0-3-1) while posting a 4.44 GAA and .864 SV%. Today he faces a Canucks team that has won four in a row while scoring 3.75 goals per game.
There's no indication whether or not Gravel is being called up to play. The 27-year-old hasn't played a lot of hockey this season, appearing in just three games with the Maple Leafs and eight with the Marlies.
Fleury has been a healthy scratch for the last four games, so he'll go to Laval to get some playing time. The 21-year-old has just one goal in 41 NHL games this season and had 23 points (9G / 14A) in 60 AHL games a season ago.
Jarry allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Penguins loss in Philadelphia on January 21st. Jarry has lost his last two starts and is now 3-3-1 with a 2.83 GAA and .907 SV% in January. He's been a lot better on home-ice but his road numbers are decent, going 6-5-0 with a 2.55 GAA and .919 SV% in 11 appearances.
Mrazek allowed one goal on 17 shots in the Hurricanes win over the Jets on January 21st. The Hurricanes return from their bye week with Mrazek facing the Golden Knights. Mrazek has gone 14-6-0 with a 2.35 GAA and .910 SV% on home ice this season and Vegas comes in having lost six of their last seven (1-5-1) while scoring 2.43 goals per game.
With Kyle Okposo suffering an upper-body injury in Thursday's game, Dea returns to the NHL for the second time this season. Dea has spent most of the year in the AHL, where he has 30 points (13G / 17A) in 41 games. He has picked up seven points (5G / 2A) in 30 career NHL games with the Penguins, Devils and Sabres.
Okposo was forced to leave Thursday's game vs. Montreal early (3:47 ATOI) and did not return. Head coach Ralph Krueger said that it's not a head injury, which is good news, however, Jean-Sebastien Dea was called up on Friday which suggests that Okposo will miss Saturday's game.
Lagesson appeared in two NHL games earlier in the year but has spent most of the season with Bakersfield, where he has 10 points (3G / 7A) in 23 games. Lagesson or Caleb Jones will draw into the lineup for Kris Russell (concussion protocol) on Friday.
Russell suffered an injury mid-way through Wednesday's game vs. the Flames and will miss at least one week in concussion protocol. William Lagesson was recalled from Bakersfield (AHL) to take Russell's place but Caleb Jones will likely replace him in the lineup on Friday.
Benson, 21, was a second-round pick in 2016 and is expected to make his NHL debut with Joakim Nygard going on IR with a broken bone in his hand. Benson has been terrific in his AHL career, posting 24 goals with 77 assists (101 points) 110 games over the last two seasons.
Nygard is expected to be sidelined long-term after suffering a broken bone in his hand against the Flames. Nygard has been replaced by Tyler Benson on the roster.
Mikkola has one assist in his first five career NHL games this season. He has spent most of the year in the AHL, where he has collected 11 points (2G / 9A) in 33 games. The 23-year-old could be a full-time member of the St. Louis blueline in 2021.
Husso has spent the entire season with San Antonio (AHL), going 10-12-8 with a 2.93 GAA and .898 SV% in 30 games. Husso projects to be the future backup to Jordan Binnington, but Jake Allen has one year left on his deal, so Husso's time likely isn't until 2022.
Hellebuyck gave up four goals on 29 shots in the Jets loss in Carolina on January 21st. Hellebuyck is riding an ugly three-game losing streak, giving up a combined 13 goals on 73 shots (.822 SV%). Tonight he faces the Blues for the third time, he's gone 0-1-1 with a 3.99 GAA and .871 SV% in the first two meetings of year.
Brossoit allowed four goals on 29 shots in the Jets loss in Columbus on January 22nd. Brossoit has not registered a win since December 10th, going 0-3-0 with a 4.73 GAA and .867 SV% in six games (three starts) since then. Tonight he faces a Bruins team that has gone 5-3-2 while scoring 3.10 goals per game in their last 10 games.
