Lucia, 24, was a second round pick in 2011 and has never appeared in an NHL game. The Minnesota native has just 15 points (6G / 9A) in 40 games with Iowa (AHL) this season. This trade was made for the Wild to get rid of one contract.
Bertschy, 23, was a sixth round pick in 2012 and has picked up 17 points (8G / 9A) in 45 games with Iowa (AHL) this season. He has one assist in nine career NHL games and this trade was made for the Wild to get rid of one contract.
Gaunce hurt his foot while blocking a shot against Florida and will not be available on Thursday. Reid Boucher has been recalled from Utica (AHL) and will replace Gaunce tonight.
Rantanen missed Tuesday’s game vs. the Sharks but will be back in tonight in St. Louis. Rantanen has just three assists in his last five games, but re-enters the lineup with 50 points (17G / 33A) in 51 games this season.
Raanta gave up four goals on 23 shots in the Coyotes loss in Winnipeg on Tuesday. It was a tough outing for Raanta, who had been playing brilliantly leading up to Tuesday’s loss. Raanta has gone 2-2-1 with a 2.59 GAA and .907 SV% in his last five road starts and is a risky option tonight in Minnesota.
Rutta is dealing with an undisclosed injury, so he’s expected to be replaced by Connor Murphy on the blueline. Monitor Rutta’s status heading into Saturday’s game in Minnesota.
Darling surrendered four goals on 38 shots in the Hurricanes loss to the Red Wings last Friday. Darling was brought in to solve the Hurricanes search for a No.1 goalie, but it has been a disastrous season for the 29-year-old. He has lost his last three starts while allowing 11 goals on 76 shots (.855 SV%). He comes into Friday’s game at 5-6-3 with a 3.12 GAA and .894 SV% on home ice.
Saros allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Predators loss to Chicago on January 30th. In his last eight games, Saros has gone 3-1-3 with a 1.50 GAA, .954 SV% and three shutouts. Saros has been great as of late and draws a superb matchup tonight vs. a banged up Senators team in Ottawa—he is 3-2-3 with a 2.55 GAA and .921 SV% on the road this season.
Mrazek allowed three goals on 33 shots in the Red Wings loss in Florida last Saturday. It was a controversial late loss, but it was another strong outing for Mrazek. The 25-year-old has won four of his last six starts while posting a 1.30 GAA, .958 SV% and two shutouts. In his first start vs. the Islanders, Mrazek stopped 34 of 37 shots in a 6-3 win in late-December.
Quine played 9:46 TOI in the Islanders overtime loss to Nashville on Monday. Quine will head back to the press box for the third time in four games as he’s replaced by Ross Johnston tonight in Buffalo.
Johnston has been a healthy scratch for the last four games, but will replace Alan Quine tonight in Buffalo. Johnston has one goal and one assist despite averaging 7:36 TOI in his first three games with the Islanders this season.
Reimer has missed the last five games with a groin injury, but the emergence of Harri Sateri during his absence will have Reimer return in a back-up role. Reimer could get the nod in Edmonton next Monday.
Sateri allowed one goal on 27 shots in the Panthers win over the Canucks on Tuesday. Even with James Reimer back, Sateri earned another start tonight vs. the Kings. Sateri has won four in a row while stopping 114 of 120 shots (.950 SV%) that he has faced. It has been an impressive run for the young netminder, who will look to win his fifth straight against a Kings team that has won four of their last five.
Pionk, 22, was an undrafted free agent out of the University of Minnesota-Duluth, who has collected 17 points (1G / 16A) in 48 games in his first season with Hartford (AHL). Pionk could make his NHL debut this weekend after Brendan Smith was placed on waivers this afternoon.
Rittich allowed one goal on four shots after replacing Mike Smith in the Flames loss to the Lightning last Thursday. Rittich has not seen a lot of action this season, but has played very well. In six starts and two relief appearance, Rittich has gone 4-1-2 with a 2.23 GAA and .926 SV%. He makes for an interesting spot-start on a busy nine-game night.
Hutton was pulled after giving up three goals on eight shots in the Blues’ loss to Minnesota on Tuesday. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Hutton, who will stick in net tonight despite a rough outing vs. the Wild. It might have something to do with the fact that Hutton is 2-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .949 SV% vs. the Avalanche this season.
Vasilevskiy allowed four goals on 26 shots in the Lightning’s loss in Edmonton on Monday. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Vasilevskiy, who will make his 44th start of the season tonight vs. the Canucks. On Saturday, Vasilevskiy stopped 31 of 33 shots in a 4-2 win in Vancouver.
Forsberg allowed four goals on 21 shots in the Blackhawks loss in Vancouver last Thursday. Forsberg will face the Stars for the second time this season—he stopped 33 of 35 shots in a 3-2 shootout loss in Dallas on December 2nd. Forsberg has gone 1-3-1 with a 2.39 GAA and .930 SV% on home-ice this season.
Halak allowed five goals on 47 shots in the Islanders overtime loss to Nashville on Monday. In his last eight starts, Halak has gone 3-3-2 while posting a 3.23 GAA and .919 SV%—however it has not been all on Halak because he’s faced an average of 40.13 shots per game during that stretch. Tonight he faces the Sabres, who he is 2-0-0 with a 2.48 GAA and .924 SV% against this season.
