Koivula, 19, was a fourth round pick of the Islanders in 2016 and has been playing in Finland. The 6-foot-3, 220 lbs. winger picked up nine goals and 18 assists (27 points) in 53 games with Ilves Tampere this season—good for fifth on the team.
Matthews has been out since February 22nd but will return Thursday in Nashville. Matthews has had a strong season and the Maple Leafs did well without him. The 20-year-old has registered 28 goals and 22 assists (50 points) in 53 games this season.
Gibson allowed two goals on 17 shots in the Ducks win over the Devils on Sunday. Gibson has won three in a row while posting a 1.33 GAA, .949 SV% and one shutout. Tonight he takes on the Flames for the fourth time this season—he is 1-2-0 with a 2.05 GAA and .928 SV% in the first three meetings.
Marody, 21, was a sixth round pick of the Flyers in 2015 and just wrapped up his junior year at the University of Michigan. Marody led Michigan in points, picking up 14 goals and 32 assists (46 points) in 37 games.
Anderson was pulled after he allowed four goals on 17 shots in the Senators loss to the Panthers on Tuesday. Anderson is now 13-12-4 with a 3.37 GAA and .896 SV% on home ice this season and he’ll be in tough again tonight with the Oilers in town. Edmonton has won five of their last eight games while averaging 3.13 goals for per game.
Pavelec has been sidelined since February 9th but will backup Alexandar Georgiev in Philadelphia tomorrow. Pavelec posted a 3.01 GAA and .910 SV% in 16 appearances before getting hurt.
Lundqvist was hurt Tuesday vs. the Blue Jackets but was able to finish the game, allowing four goals on 30 shots in a loss to Columbus. With Lundqvist out, Alexandar Georgiev will start and Ondrej Pavelec returns as the backup.
Georgiev allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Rangers loss in St. Louis on Saturday. With Henrik Lundqvist dealing with an injury, Georgiev will make his seventh start tonight in Philadelphia. The 22-year-old has gone 1-1-1 with a 2.64 GAA and .927 SV% on the road in his early-career.
Smith surrendered three goals on 28 shots in the Flames loss in Arizona on Monday. Since returning to the crease, Smith has lost four of five starts while posting an ugly 3.68 GAA and .872 SV%. Tonight he faces a Ducks team that he has had a lot of success against this season—going 2-1-0 with a 1.35 GAA and .965 SV% in the first three meetings of the season.
Khudobin allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Bruins loss in Florida last Thursday. He has lost his last two while allowing six goals on 67 shots (.911 SV%). Tonight he faces a Blues team without Vladimir Tarasenko. Khudobin is 9-4-2 with a 2.33 GAA and .924 SV% on the road this season.
Tarasenko will miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury that he suffered vs. the Rangers on Saturday. Taranseko was not on the ice for the last two days, which clouds his status for the remainder of this all important playoff week.
Raanta allowed two goals on 44 shots in the Coyotes win over the Flames on Monday. Since returning from injury, Raanta has turned aside 72 of 76 shots (.947 SV%). Raanta has been great since early-February, winning nine of his last 12 starts (9-2-1). He makes for an excellent option tonight in Buffalo.
Raanta allowed two goals on 44 shots in the Coyotes win over the Flames on Monday. Since returning from injury, Raanta has turned aside 72 of 76 shots (.947 SV%). Raanta has been great since early-February, winning nine of his last 12 starts (9-2-1). He makes for an excellent option tonight in Buffalo.
Allen allowed four goals on 30 shots in the Blues overtime win in Chicago on Sunday. Allen continues to win games, having recorded a ‘W’ in four of his last five starts despite allowing 14 goals on 134 shots (.896 SV%). Tonight he faces a banged up Bruins team that has lost three of their last five (2-2-1).
Johnson allowed three goals on 37 shots in the Sabres win over the Blackhawks on Saturday. Johnson has played well recently, winning four of his last five starts while stopping 145 of the 157 shots (.924 SV%) that he has faced. Tonight he faces a Coyotes team that they share the bottom of the league with—but Arizona has won 11 of their last 17 (11-5-1).
Wolanin, 23, wrapped up his third year at the University of North Dakota, where he collected 12 goals and 23 assists (35 points) in 40 games—to lead the team in points from the blueline. Wolanin is expected to suit up for the Senators for the final few weeks of the season.
Forsberg was yanked after he allowed three goals on six shots in the Blackhawks loss in Winnipeg last Thursday. Forsberg has struggled as of late, going 2-2-0 with a 4.01 GAA and .876 SV% in March. Tonight he faces the Avalanche for a second time—he was pulled after he allowed five goals on 20 shots in a 6-3 loss in Colorado in late-October.
Howard surrendered four goals on 36 shots in the Red Wings loss in Anaheim on Friday. The Red Wings appear content with rotating Howard and Jared Coreau and tonight will be Howard’s turn between the pipes. The Red Wings are spiralling out of control at the moment so don’t even consider plugging Howard into your lineups tonight.
