Gibson allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Ducks loss in Calgary last Saturday. Gibson is now 5-5-3 with a 2.70 GAA and .918 SV% in 14 road starts this season. In his first start against the Kings, Gibson allowed three goals on 33 shots in a 4-3 overtime defeat.
Howard allowed two goals on 40 shots in the Red Wings win over the Panthers on January 5th. Howard missed the Red Wings final game before their bye week with a lower-body injury but he is set to return to the crease this afternoon. Howie has won four straight while posting a 1.47 GAA and .960 SV% but draws a tough road matchup in Pittsburgh.
Pavelec allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Rangers loss in Vegas last Sunday. The Rangers return to ice after their bye week with a back-to-back so Pavelec will start this afternoon vs. the Islanders. Pavelec has gone 2-2-1 with a 1.66 GAA and .944 SV% at Madison Square Garden this season.
Price stopped 34 of 36 shots in the Canadiens win over the Canucks last Sunday. After a five-day break, Price is set to return to the crease tonight vs. the Bruins. He has won two in a row while stopping 78 of 81 shots (.963 SV%) and comes in at 9-5-2 with a 2.46 GAA and .921 SV% in 16 starts on home ice.
Bergeron was a little nicked up in the Bruins final game before their bye week but was never in any real danger of missing time. Bergeron was back in his usual spot in Friday’s practice and Saturday’s morning skate so look for him to continue his recent stretch of strong play tonight in Montreal—he has six goals and two assists in his last four games.
Rask gave up six goals on 35 shots in the Bruins loss in Pittsburgh last Sunday. It was a rare bad game for Rask, who had won nine of 10 entering that game—allowing just 13 goals over that stretch. Rask has taken his game to another level as of late and draws a good matchup vs. the Canadiens, who he’s had a tough time against in his career.
Halak allowed four goals on 46 shots in the Islanders win over the Devils last Sunday. Halak has not played well for much of this season, but he has still been better than Thomas Greiss so the Islanders will continue to roll with him this afternoon. Halak comes into play with a five-game streak of allowing at least four goals, posting an .891 SV% over that stretch.
Boychuk has been battling a lower-body injury since December 27th and the Islanders are still unsure how long the veteran defenseman will be out for. In the mean time, Sebastian Aho will remain a key member of the Islanders blueline until Boychuk is deemed healthy again.
Ladd will miss his second straight game with an undisclosed injury and the Islanders are unsure how long he will be out for. Head coach Doug Weight said they “have to figure everything out and hopefully [Ladd] is back sooner than later. That’ all I can tell you now.” It doesn’t sound like Ladd will be out long-term, but Anthony Beauvillier and Michael Dal Colle are up from Bridgeport (AHL) to take Ladd and Josh Bailey’s spots in the lineup.
Bailey will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury but the Islanders have yet to give a firm timetable for his return. Head coach Doug Weight said they “have to figure everything out and hopefully [Bailey] is back sooner than later. That’ all I can tell you now.” The good news it that it doesn’t sound like Bailey will be out for an extended period of time, but it’s unfortunate not to have a firm grasp on how long he’ll be sidelined. Monitor his status heading into the Islanders back-to-back on Monday/Tuesday.
Jarry was pulled after surrendering five goals on 19 shots in the Penguins loss to the Bruins last Sunday. With Matt Murray dealing with a family matter, Jarry will make his third consecutive start this afternoon. Jarry is 4-2-0 with a 3.16 GAA and .893 SV% on home ice this season and he will host a Red Wings team that won four of five prior to their bye week.
