Galchenyuk’s 2017-18 season has not started the way his fantasy owners would have hoped. After spending the first few games on the second line, Galchenyuk was recently moved to the fourth line and now he’s missing practice with an illness, clouding his status for Saturday’s game vs. the Maple Leafs.
Malgin has served as a healthy scratch in the Panthers’ first three games of the season, so he will head to the AHL to get some games in. Malgin had 12 points (3G / 9A) in 15 games with Springfield last season and 10 points (6G / 4A) in 47 NHL contests. Jared McCann and Connor Brickley have passed him on the depth chart, resulting in his healthy scratches.
Cory Schneider started the first four games of the season, including last night, but Kinkaid will make his season debut tonight vs. the Rangers. Last season the 28-year-old has gone 8-13-3 with a 2.64 GAA, .916 SV% and one shutout in 23 starts and three relief appearances in 2016-17. He is a decent spot-start option vs. a Rangers team that has started the season 1-4-0.
Schneider allowed three goals on 50 shots in the Devils’ win in Toronto on Wednesday. It was an outstanding start for Schneider, who moves to 3-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .948 SV% in his first three starts of the season. He will look to continue his run tonight vs. a powerful Capitals team—he stopped 41 of 42 shots (.976 SV%) in one start and one relief appearance vs. Washington last season.
Schneider allowed three goals on 50 shots in the Devils’ win in Toronto on Wednesday. It was an outstanding start for Schneider, who moves to 3-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .948 SV% in his first three starts of the season. He will look to continue his run tonight vs. a powerful Capitals team—he stopped 41 of 42 shots (.976 SV%) in one start and one relief appearance vs. Washington last season.
Pavelec allowed three goals on 24 shots after replacing Henrik Lundqvist in the Rangers’ loss in Toronto last Saturday. Tonight he will make his first start as a Ranger and it will come against a Devils team who are coming off of their first loss last night. Pavelec will be a risky fantasy option whenever he’s between the pipes.
Lundqvist allowed two goals on 22 shots in the Rangers’ loss to the Blues on Tuesday. After a rough outing in Toronto, Lundqvist has settled back in, stopping 54 of the last 56 shots (.964 SV%) that he has faced. He may have a tough time keeping things rolling as he faced a talented Blue Jackets team that he struggled against last year—King Henrik was 1-2-0 with a 4.44 GAA and .853 SV% in four starts vs. CBJ.
Okposo was listed as a game-time decision, but will play tonight in San Jose. It has been a slow start for the veteran winger, who comes into tonight with no points, six shots and a minus-6 rating.
Howard stopped 37 of 38 shots in the Red Wings’ shootout win in Ottawa last Saturday. Despite dominating in his first two starts, the Red Wings went to Petr Mrazek on Tuesday, but will come back to Howie tonight. The veteran netminder draws a good matchup vs. the Coyotes and comes in having stopped 74 of 77 shots (.961 SV%) on the young season.
After sitting out of the season opener, Cousins has been in the lineup for the last two games, failing to record a point, four shots and three hits. He’ll likely centre the fourth line with Jordan Martinook and Anthony Duclair on his wings.
Martinook was out of the lineup in Vegas on Tuesday, but will draw back in for Brendan Perlini tonight vs. the Red Wings. Martinook has one assist, two shots and three hits in two games this season.
Kronwall missed the first three games of the season with a groin injury that he suffered during the offseason. Kronwall has had a really tough time with injuries during recent years, but he still plays big minutes at 5-on-5 and on the power-play, so he could have some sneaky fantasy value in deep, deep leagues while he is healthy.
Dubnyk allowed four goals on 31 shots in the Wild’s opening night loss in Detroit. Alex Stalock started Saturday in Carolina, so look for Dubnyk to start tonight after a full week off. Tonight he will face a Blackhawks team that is 3-0-1 while averaging 5.25 goals for per game through their first four games. The 31-year-old was 1-1-0 with a 3.89 GAA and .893 SV% in three starts vs. Chicago last year.
Perlini left Tuesday’s game in Vegas with an upper-body injury and was moved to IR on Thursday morning. The young power-forward was expected to take on a larger role this season and has recorded one assist, one shot in three contests. With Perlini out, look for Jordan Martinook to take his spot.
Okposo missed the Sabres’ morning skate due to an illness, but has not been ruled out for tonight’s game in San Jose. Because of the late puck-drop, it might be wise to avoid the veteran winger, but there’s also a good chance that he will play. Okposo has no points, six shots and a minus-6 rating in three games this season.
Rinne allowed five goals on 30 shots in the Predators’ 6-5 win over the Flyers on Tuesday. Head coach Peter Laviolette said last week that Rinne is expected to start tonight vs. the Stars. Rinne has allowed eight goals on 61 shots (.869 SV%) in two starts this season and Dallas has averaged 2.33 goals for per game on the young season.
Howard stopped 37 of 38 shots in the Red Wings’ shootout win in Ottawa last Saturday. Despite dominating in his first two starts, the Red Wings went to Petr Mrazek on Tuesday, but will come back to Howie tonight. The veteran netminder draws a good matchup vs. the Coyotes and comes in having stopped 74 of 77 shots (.961 SV%) on the young season.
Niemi was yanked after allowing four goals on 13 shots in the Penguins’ 10-1 loss in Chicago last Thursday. It was a horrible Penguins debut for Niemi, who will start the second game of Pittsburgh’s back-to-back tonight in Tampa Bay. Niemi is over the hill and is one of the riskiest spot-start options in the league, even behind one of the most powerful offences.
Byfuglien is dealing with a soft-tissue injury but is progressing and could return Saturday vs. the Hurricanes. With Byfuglien sidelined for Thursday’s game, Tucker Poolman will remain in the lineup for the second straight contest.
Lehner stopped all nine shots that he faced after replacing Chad Johnson in the Sabres’ loss to New Jersey on Monday. Johnson left Wednesday’s practice to get stitches before their flight to San Jose, but he is good to go tonight vs. the Sharks. Lehner has stopped 59 of 65 shots (.908 SV%) that he has faced in three appearances this season.
