With Carey Price serving a one-game suspension for skipping the All-Star Game, McNiven has been called-up to serve as Antti Niemi’s backup on Saturday afternoon. The 21-year-old is 6-5-2 with a 2.38 GAA and .907 SV% in 16 AHL contests.
Price will not be available for Saturday’s game vs. the Devils, so Michael McNiven has been recalled from Laval (AHL) to backup Antti Niemi. This one-game suspension isn’t a big deal considering the Habs have a back-to-back on Saturday/Sunday and Niemi likely would have started one of the games regardless. Price will face the Oilers on Sunday.
Niemi allowed four goals on 23 shots in the Canadiens loss to the Flyers on January 19th. With Carey Price serving a one-game suspension for skipping the All-Star game, Niemi will start the front-end of the Canadiens’ back-to-back. Niemi is 4-1-0 with a 2.97 GAA and .912 SV% in five games on home-ice this season.
Hart allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Flyers win in Boston on Thursday. Hart has been one of the hottest goalies in the NHL as of late, winning five in a row while posting a 2.38 GAA and .930 SV%. The 20-year-old grew up 20 minutes outside of Edmonton and will get a shot at his hometown team this afternoon. The Oilers have the worst record in the NHL (5-12-0) since the middle of December.
Howard allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Red Wings win in Edmonton on January 22nd. Howard represented the Red Wings in the All-Star Game and is expected to represent them between the pipes vs. Toronto on Friday. Howie allowed four goals on 34 shots in a 5-3 loss in his first start against the Maple Leafs (Oct.11) this season.
Saros made 47 of 48 shots in the Predators win in Vegas on January 23rd. Saros has won two of his last three outings while stopping 99 shots 106 (.934 SV%). Saros figures to play a little more down the stretch and has been solid on the road this season, going 7-3-1 with a 2.72 GAA, .910 SV% and one shutout.
Greiss stopped all 19 shots that he faced in the Islanders 2-0 shutout win over the Capitals on January 18th. Greiss went into the break on a two-game winning streak, stopping 57 of the last 58 shots that he faced (.983 SV%). Tonight he faces a stiff test with the Lightning in town, but he stopped 38 of 39 shots in a 5-1 win over Tampa Bay a few weeks ago.
DeSmith allowed six goals on 34 shots in the Penguins loss in Vegas on January 19th. DeSmith has had a solid season but has been terrible lately, losing three straight while allowing a combined 14 goals on 88 shots (.841 SV%). As bad as he’s played recently, he is a strong option vs. the visiting Senators.
Lundqvist allowed three goals on 22 shots in the Rangers win in New Jersey on Thursday. The All-Star netminder is riding a four-game winning streak, stopping 104 of the 114 shots (.912 SV%) that he has faced. King Henrik has been playing better lately but draws a tough assignment with the Lightning in town—he allowed five goals on 35 shots in a 6-3 loss in his first start vs. Tampa Bay (Dec.10).
Dubnyk stopped 20 of 22 shots in the Wild’s win in Colorado on January 23rd. Dubnyk was hot heading into the All-Star break, winning three in a row while allowing just five goals on 74 shots (.932 SV%). Dubnyk is 1-0-1 with a 1.44 GAA and .951 SV% vs. the Stars this season.
