Fucale, 22, has gone 4-1-0 despite posting a 3.46 GAA and .881 SV% in five games with Laval this season. Fucale will likely back up Charlie Lindgren on Saturday because both Carey Price and Al Montoya are injured right now.
Charlie Lindgren has started the last three games because he has been playing well, but apparently Montoya is dealing with an upper-body injury. With Montoya out, the Canadiens have recalled Zach Fucale and is expected to backup Lindgren on Saturday.
Luongo allowed two goals on 47 shots in the Panthers’ 3-1 loss in Carolina on Tuesday. Luongo has been under siege since returning to the crease, facing a whopping 91 shots through two games—stopping 84 of them (.923 SV%). Expect the barrage of shots to continue tonight as he has faced an average of 34.7 shots per game so far this season, making him an intriguing daily fantasy play tonight in Buffalo.
Andersen allowed two goals on 37 shots in the Maple Leafs win over the Wild on Wednesday. It looks like Andersen is starting to get back on track as he’s won three of his last four starts while posting a 2.97 GAA and .905 SV%. He makes for a solid start tonight with the banged up Bruins in town and Anton Khudobin expected to start in goal.
Matthews will miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury and it sounds like there is a good chance he won’t play tomorrow in Boston either. After Saturday the Maple Leafs are off until next Thursday, so it would be smart for them to get their franchise player back to 100 percent instead of rushing him.
Lehner stopped 24 of 25 shots in the Sabres win over the Capitals on Tuesday. Since opening up the 2017-18 season with four consecutive losses, Lehner has won four of his last six starts while posting a 2.89 GAA, .903 SV% and one shutout. Tonight he will make his 11th start of the season and fifth at home, where he is 2-1-1 with a 1.37 GAA and .956 SV%.
Niskanen has been sidelined since October 13th, but has been making progress and returning to practice on Friday is a huge step. Niskanen said on Thursday that he needs a little more time before returning, so don’t expect a return until shortly after he is able to ditch the non-contact jersey.
Andersen allowed two goals on 37 shots in the Maple Leafs win over the Wild on Wednesday. It looks like Andersen is starting to get back on track as he’s won three of his last four starts while posting a 2.97 GAA and .905 SV%. He makes for a solid start tonight with the banged up Bruins in town and Anton Khudobin expected to start in goal.
McCann returned to the lineup on Saturday after a five-game absence but missed Tuesday’s game in Carolina and is expected to miss a second straight game as he continues to deal with a lower-body injury. Dryden Hunt has been recalled from Springfield (AHL) and is expected to take his spot in the lineup.
Hunt, 21, is an undrafted free agent, who has picked up eight points (5G / 3A) in 13 games with Springfield (AHL) this season. Hunt is expected to make his NHL debut on Friday because Jared McCann is battling a lower-body injury. Hunt has some offensive ability, evidenced by his 116-point (58G / 58A) season in Moose Jaw (WHL) in 2015-16.
Wilson has missed the last six games with an undisclosed injury but will draw back onto the Avalanche fourth line tonight. Wilson has gotten out of the gate slowly, collecting just two assists in eight games so far this season.
After being acquired in the Matt Duchene trade, Girard will immediately step onto a pairing with Tyson Barrie in his Avalanche debut. The former second round pick had three points (1G / 2A) in five games with the Predators this season and was a two-time 70-point defenseman in the QMJHL. Girard is also expected to see some PP1 time next to Barrie, making him an intriguing fantasy addition in deeper leagues.
Compher has missed the last six games with a broken thumb, but will get back into the lineup this afternoon in Sweden. Compher has picked up one goal and three assists (four points) in eight games this season and today he skates with Matthew Nieto and Blake Comeau in his return to the lineup.
Kerfoot has averaged 12:57 TOI/GM in his first 14 games of the season, but played 20:49 TOI after Duchene was traded mid-game in Brooklyn. The rookie centre has five goals and four assists (nine points) to start his NHL career and will have even more opportunities now that he takes Duchene’s spot on the second line.
Nemeth is dealing with an undisclosed injury and it will keep him out of both of Colorado’s games in Sweden. With Nemeth out, Samuel Girard will make his Avalanche debut vs. the Senators.
Soderberg is with his wife as they expect the birth of their child so he will not play in either of Colorado’s two games in Sweden. With Soderberg out, Colin Wilson (undisclosed) will draw back into the Avalanche lineup.
Anderson allowed five goals on 34 shots in the Senators loss to Vegas last Saturday. Anderson has won three of his last five starts despite posting a 4.11 GAA and .869 SV%. It’s been an ugly start to the season for the 36-year-old, who just hasn’t been able to come up with the big saves that he was making last year.
Varlamov allowed four goals on 37 shots in Colorado’s win in Philadelphia last Saturday. Varlamov was given the following night off so he is well rested to kick-off the NHL’s Global Series today in Sweden. Varlamov has won three of his last four starts despite posting an ugly 4.17 GAA and .890 SV%.
Budaj allowed four goals on 21 shots in the Lightning’s loss to the Ducks on October 28th. Budaj has struggled in his two starts this season, allowing a combined eight goals on just 55 shots (.855 SV%). Tonight he faces a Kings team that has gone 5-1-1 in their last seven games while averaging 3.29 goals for per game.
