Kopitar was forced to miss Thursday’s game against the Islanders due to an illness, but he is feeling better and should be back vs. the Sabres. Kopitar was back between Alex Iafallo and Tyler Toffoli at Friday’s practice and comes into Saturday with two goals in six games this season.
Price allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Canadiens win over the Blues on Wednesday. Price has enjoyed a strong start to the season, winning two of his first four starts while posting a 2.24 GAA and .912 SV%. He should be able to continue that strong play tonight in Ottawa—Price was 2-1-0 with a 1.35 GAA and .956 SV% vs. the Senators last year.
Tuch has not played this season but is nearing his season debut and is coming off of a season in which he scored 15 goals and 22 assists in 78 games. Tuch also added 10 points (6G / 4A) in 20 playoff games during the Golden Knights run to the finals. Tuch joins Jonathan Marchessault, Reilly Smith, Brayden McNabb, Shea Theodore and Colin Miller as players under 30-years-old on long-term contracts.
Rattie was forced to leave Thursday’s game vs. the Bruins after playing just 7:14 TOI. With Rattie potentially out, Kailer Yamamoto could skate on the Oilers top line with Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Caggiula missed Thursday’s game vs. the Bruins with a lower-body injury and his status for Saturday’s game remains in question. If Caggiula can’t play, look for Tobias Rieder to remain in the lineup.
Benning was forced to leave Thursday’s game vs. the Bruins after playing just 2:27 TOI and did not return. With Benning out, Jason Garrison will likely return to the lineup vs. the Predators.
Grubauer allowed three goals on 30 shots in Colorado’s win in New Jersey on Thursday. Grubauer has surrendered seven goals on 64 shots (.891 SV%) in his first two starts as an Avalanche. Things don’t get any easier this afternoon in Carolina—the Hurricanes lead the NHL in shots per game (42.0) and 10th in goals per game (3.57).
Brossoit stopped 42 of 43 shots in the Jets win over the Hurricanes last Sunday. Brossoit was exceptional in his Winnipeg debut and will make his second start vs. the Coyotes tonight. Arizona is on the tail-end of a back-to-back and still rank last in the NHL in goals per game (1.17) so far this season.
Dzingel has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, but will play Saturday vs. the Canadiens. Dzingel has enjoyed a strong stat to the season, picking up two goals, two assists and 12 shots on goal in four games.
Lovejoy will miss Saturday’s game and be re-evaluated next week. The Devils are hopeful that the injury is short-term, but Steve Santini will likely replace him for now.
Rinne gave up two goals on 31 shots in the Predators 4-2 win over the Wild on Monday. Rinne won’t start as often as most No.1’s in the league, but he should post some of the strongest numbers in the league when he starts. He comes into Friday at 3-1-0 with a 1.75 GAA, .943 SV% and one shutout in his first four starts of the season.
Zajac has had a great start to the season, scoring two goals with two assists in his first five games. Zajac was forced to leave Thursday’s game vs. the Avalanche in the second period and never returned. Zajac will be re-evaluated later next week, but the Devils are hopeful that it is a short-term injury.
Crawford allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Blackhawks loss to the Coyotes on Thursday. Crawford looked sharp in his first start since December 2017. The best news was that Crawford is feeling well enough to remain in the crease tonight in Columbus. The Blue Jackets enter play averaging the ninth most goals for per game (3.67) in the NHL.
De La Rose missed the first two weeks of the season and was claimed off of waivers by the Red Wings earlier this week. The 23-year-old had just four goals and eight assists (12 points) in 55 games with the Canadiens last year.
Gryba failed to record a point in 24 AHL games last season and has just 43 points (7G / 36A) in 279 career NHL games with the Senators and Oilers.
Schneider continues to work his way back from offseason hip surgery and will head to the AHL to get up to speed. Keith Kinkaid will continue to start for the Devils until Schneider is ready to return to the NHL.
Dubnyk allowed one goal on 32 shots in the Capitals win over the Coyotes on Tuesday. The veteran netminder has had a strong start to 2018-19, posting a 2.32 GAA and .940 SV% in his first five starts. Despite solid numbers, Dubnyk has a tough matchup against a Stars team that is 29-12-3 in their last 44 games on home-ice
Jones was originally expected to be out until early-to-mid November, but he is apparently ahead of schedule in his return from an MCL sprain. Monitor Jones’ status heading into next week.
