Hellebuyck has been leaned on heavily with Ondrej Pavelec sidelined. Hellebuyck is coming off of a 29-save shutout last night and the Jets will likely go back to him if he is up for it. If not, Michael Hutchinson could get the start given it’s a fairly easy matchup against the NHL’s worst team.
Blue Jackets' head coach John Tortorella is expected to address the media when the team arrives at the rink around 5 p.m. ET. Sergei Bobrovsky is coming off of a 38-save shutout and will likely face the tougher of the two opponents in Ottawa on Saturday evening.
Mason stopped 39 of 40 shots in the Flyers’ shootout win over the Panthers on Thursday. Mason has been exceptional in his last two starts, winning both while stopping 72 of 73 shots (.986 SV%). Tonight will be his third start vs. the Capitals—he is 1-1-0 with a 2.76 GAA and .873 SV % in the first two.
Konecny has been sidelined since February 6th, but will return to the lineup tonight in Washington. Konecny has had a nice rookie season, scoring seven goals and 15 assists (22 points) in 51 games. Konecny will likely replace Dale Weise or Matt Read in the lineup.
Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Lightning’s win over the Hurricanes on Wednesday. Since Ben Bishop was traded, Vasilevskiy has gone 2-0-0 while turning aside 67 of 71 shots (.944 SV%). Tonight he will take on a Sabres team that has lost four of their last five contests.
Oshie has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury, but will return to the lineup against the Flyers on Saturday. Oshie was hurt against the Flyers on February 22nd, but will be back with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom on the top line tonight. Oshie had a great month of February before getting hurt, recording six goals and five assists (11 points) in nine games.
Holtby stopped all 15 shots that he faced in the Capitals’ shutout win over the Devils on Thursday. Holtby has won four straight starts while posting a 0.75 GAA, .973 SV% and one shutout. Tonight he will take on the Flyers for the third time this season—he’s gone 1-0-1 with a 1.44 GAA and .958 SV% in the first two.
Bitetto hasn’t been in the lineup since February 2nd, but will replace Ryan Ellis (lower-body) in the lineup vs. Chicago. Bietto has registered just three assists in 18 games this season and is expected to be paired with Yannick Weber.
Ellis was hurt during the Predators’ loss in Montreal on Thursday and missed today’s morning skate. Ellis is listed as day-to-day and will come out of the lineup tonight vs. the Blackhawks. Anthony Bitetto will replace Ellis and is expected to skate with Yannick Weber.
Khudobin surrendered one goal on 28 shots in the Bruins’ win in Los Angeles on February 23rd. Khudobin has won his last two starts since being called up, stopping 56 of 60 shots (.933 SV%). He makes for an intriguing spot-start tonight against a Devils team that has lost five in a row.
Cammalleri is expected to miss at least one week with an upper-body injury that he suffered while sliding into the boards awkwardly doing the Devils’ loss to Washington on Thursday. With Cammalleri out, the Devils will have to go with seven defensemen on Saturday night.
Zacha was in practice on Friday, but won’t be in the lineup tonight in Boston. It will be the fourth straight game that he has missed due to a concussion. Monitor his status prior to tomorrow’s game vs. the Blue Jackets—they’ll go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen with Zacha and Michael Cammalleri out tonight.
Schneider allowed one goal on 24 shots in the Devils’ loss in Washington on Tuesday. Schneider has lost four in a row (0-2-2) while posting a 2.73 GAA and .908 SV%. Tonight he will face a Bruins team that he’s had success against this season—he comes in at 1-1-0 with a 1.01 GAA and .966 SV% in two starts vs. Boston.
Anderson stopped 22 of 23 shots in the Senators win over the Avalanche on Thursday. Anderson has won four of his last five starts while posting an impressive 1.80 GAA and .948 SV%. Anderson has been one of the best goalies in the NHL during a very difficult season—he comes into tonight with a 9-5-1 record, 2.38 GAA and .921 SV% at home.
Saros allowed two goals on 26 shots in the Predators’ win over the Capitals on February 25th. Saros has played very well in his first NHL season, but hasn’t been given a tonne of playing time. He enters Saturday with a 7-5-3 record despite posting a strong 2.21 GAA, .929 SV% and one shutout. However, he’ll be in tough against good Blackhawks team.
Reimer allowed one goal on 36 shots after replacing Roberto Luongo in the Panthers’ 2-1 shootout loss on Thursday. With Luongo out for a week, Reimer becomes their No.1, starting tonight vs. the Stars. The 28-year-old made 35 saves in a 3-1 win in his only start against Dallas this season.
Lehner allowed three goals on 22 shots in the Sabres’ win over the Coyotes on Thursday. Lehner has not played well in his last four starts. He has gone 1-2-1 while allowing a combined 17 shots on 129 shots (.868 SV%). Tonight he will face the Lightning for the second time his season—he gave up four goals on 38 shots in a 4-1 loss in the first meeting.
Khudobin surrendered one goal on 28 shots in the Bruins’ win in Los Angeles on February 23rd. Khudobin has won his last two starts since being called up, stopping 56 of 60 shots (.933 SV%). He makes for an intriguing spot-start tonight against a Devils team that has lost five in a row.
Lehner allowed three goals on 22 shots in the Sabres’ win over the Coyotes on Thursday. Lehner has not played well in his last four starts. He has gone 1-2-1 while allowing a combined 17 shots on 129 shots (.868 SV%). Tonight he will face the Lightning for the second time his season—he gave up four goals on 38 shots in a 4-1 loss in the first meeting.
Mrazek allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Red Wings’ overtime win in Vancouver on Tuesday. Mrazek has played much better as of late—he has gone 3-3-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .930 SV% in his last six starts. He draws a tough matchup tonight against a Flames team that has won five in a row entering Friday.
