Dell allowed three goals on 27 shots in the Sharks overtime loss in New York on October 11th. Martin Jones has started the last four games, but Dell will be back in the crease tonight. Tonight’s game features the two teams that average the most shots per game, so Dell will likely be a busy man. The Hurricanes come in tied for 14th in scoring (3.22 GF/PG).
Howard made 36 saves on 38 shots in the Red Wings 3-1 loss to the Hurricanes on Monday. Despite the loss, Howard played very well once again. The veteran netminder has lost two of his last three despite posting a solid 2.33 GAA and .933 SV%. Tonight he faces a Jets team that has averaged a 3.10 goals for per game (19th in the NHL) in their first 10 games.
Mrazek allowed one goal on 21 shots in the Hurricanes 3-1 win in Detroit on Monday. In his first five starts with the Hurricanes, Mrazek has gone 2-2-1 with a 2.65 GAA and .888 SV%. Tonight he faces a Sharks team that is second in the NHL in shots per game (38.1) and tied for ninth in goals per game (3.44).
Campbell stopped two of three shots after replacing Jonathan Quick last Thursday. Quick has struggled since returning from injury, so Campbell will get another start tonight in Minnesota. While Quick was out, Campbell went 2-3-0 with a 2.69 GAA, .922 SV% and one shutout. The Wild come into Thursday averaging just 2.75 goals for per game (t-22nd in the NHL).
Saros allowed five goals on 32 shots in the Predators loss to the Sharks on Tuesday. It was Saros’ first loss of the season, but came against one of the toughest opponents in the NHL. Tonight the NHL’s fourth ranked offence in New Jersey, but has gone 3-0-0 wihile allowing just three goals on 69 shots (.957 SV%) on the road this season.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman upheld the 20-game suspension was assessed to Tom Wilson by the Department of Player Safety for an illegal check to the head of St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist during the NHL preseason. Wilson is not eligible to play until November 21st.
Edler was forced to leave Wednesday’s game with a lower-body injury and was placed on IR on Thursday afternoon. He will go for an MRI on Friday to determine the severity of his injury. Edler missing time due to injury comes as no surprise, as the veteran defenseman has missed at least 12 games in each of the last three seasons—missing a total of 56 games over that span.
Gibbons was a healthy scratch on Tuesday but will replace Maxime Comtois (undisclosed) tonight. Gibbons has not recorded a point while averaging 11:34 TOI/GM in seven games this season.
Comtois is reportedly banged up with an undisclosed ailment, so he is expected to be scratched on Thursday. Brian Gibbons is expected to replace him in the lineup on the Ducks’ fourth line.
