Sparks allowed five goals on 34 shots in the Maple Leafs loss in Boston last Saturday. Sparks is 2-1-0 with a 4.00 GAA and .879 SV% in three starts this season, making him a risky option whenever he gets the nod. Tonight he faces a Ducks team that is 5-3-3 on home-ice this season.
Grubauer gave up seven goals on 37 shots in Colorado’s loss in Vancouver on November 2nd. Grubauer has struggled in his first five games with the Avalanche, posting a 3.56 GAA and .893 SV%. Tonight he will get a chance to face his former team with the Capitals in town. Washington comes in having lost three of their last four.
Elliott allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Flyers loss to the Panthers on Tuesday. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Elliott, who is now 3-4-0 with a 2.76 GAA, .911 SV% and one shutout on home-ice this season. In his first start vs. New Jersey, Elliott stopped 19 of 21 shots in a 5-2 win in mid-October.
Korpisalo allowed four goals on 19 shots in the Blue Jackets 5-4 shootout loss to the Rangers on Saturday. Korpisalo has struggled in his last three starts, allowing a combined 10 goals on 56 shots (.821 SV%). With Bobrovsky sick, Korpisalo will make his eight start of the season tonight. The 24-year-old allowed four goals on 41 shots in a 5-4 win in his first start vs. the Panthers.
Lundqvist stopped 25 of 26 shots in the Rangers win over the Canucks on Monday. In his last five starts, Lundqvist has gone 4-0-1 with a 2.13 GAA and .933 SV%. Lundqvist has played well this season (.923 SV%), but comes into Thursday’s game at 1-3-2 with a 3.10 GAA and .908 SV% on the road.
Greiss allowed two goals on 24 shots in the Islanders win over the Canucks on Tuesday. Greiss has been really good this season, especially as of late. In his last four games, Greiss is 3-0-1 with a 1.68 GAA, .944 SV% and one shutout. He should continue his strong play against a Rangers team that is the fifth lowest scoring team in the NHL.
Nash is one of three players who will not be available on Thursday. Zac Dalpe was recalled from Cleveland (AHL) to fill-in for Nash.
Schenn has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury, so his movement to IR was just to create a roster spot to recall Sammy Blais before they head to Vegas and San Jose. Schenn is expected to miss both of those games, but is eligible to return whenever he is healthy.
Mermis has yet to appear in a game with the Coyotes this season but has been recalled because Jakob Chychrun is out again. Mermis has five points (1G / 4A) in nine games with Tucson.
Howard made 24 saves on 25 shots in the Red Wings win over the Coyotes on Tuesday. The win extended Howard’s winning streak to five games. Howie has stopped 151 of the last 162 shots (.932 SV%) that he has faced. The 34-year-old comes in red-hot and should make for a strong start tonight in Ottawa.
Reilly has played pretty well for the Canadiens this season, but will be replaced by Xavier Ouellet tonight.
Ouellet was a healthy scratch for the last two games, but will replace Mike Reilly tonight in Calgary. Ouellet has just three assists while averaging 17:21 TOI/gm in 16 games this season.
Hamhuis has missed the last nine games, but will draw back into the Predators lineup on Thursday. Hamhuis, who has just one assist in seven games this season, will replace P.K. Subban in Arizona.
Subban has already been ruled out of Thursday’s game, but his move to IR means that he will miss at least the next three games. Dan Hamhuis was activated from IR and will take Subban’s spot in the lineup.
Brossoit allowed one goal on 28 shots in the Jets win in Detroit on October 26th. Connor Hellebuyck has started the last six games, but Brossoit will give him a breather tonight vs. the Sabres. Brossoit has been impressive, going 3-0-0 with a 1.67 GAA and .957 SV% in his first three starts with the Jets.
Hertl did not practice on Wednesday and missed Thursday’s morning skate. Head coach Pete DeBoer said that Hertl is day-to-day and will be re-evaluated on Friday. Antti Suomela will move up the lineup with Hertl out.
