Cizikas missed last night’s game for the birth of his child but he will play tonight in Pittsburgh. Cizikas will replace Sebastian Aho as the Islanders will go back to 12 forwards and six defensemen.
Jarry gave up five goals on 33 shots after replacing Casey DeSmith in the Penguins blowout 8-4 loss in Boston on Thursday. It was an ugly game for the entire team, but Jarry has now allowed a combined nine goals on just 49 shots (.816 SV%) in his last two outings. However, he is 2-0-0 with a 1.48 GAA and .947 SV% in two starts vs. the Islanders this season.
Condon allowed three goals on 22 shots in the Senators loss in Washington on Tuesday. Condon has lost five straight while surrendering a combined 15 goals on 134 shots (.888 SV%). Even against a Coyotes team that has just 19 wins this season, Condon has become a risky option regardless of his matchup.
Forsberg allowed one goal on six shots after replacing J-F Berube in the Blackhawks loss in San Jose on Thursday. The road has been tough on Forsberg this season, as he’s gone 4-7-2 with a 3.31 GAA and .896 SV% in 13 away starts and three relief appearances. He is also 0-2-0 with a 2.07 GAA and .926 SV% vs. the Kings this season.
Talbot allowed four goals on 42 shots in the Oilers loss to the Predators on Thursday. After winning two in a row, Talbot has now lost his last two while surrendering a combined eight goals on 78 shots (.897 SV%). Tonight he will face his former team for the second time this season—he allowed three goals on 33 shots in a 4-2 loss in the first meeting.
Berglund was a healthy scratch vs. the Red Wings on Wednesday but will replace Nikita Soshnikov (illness) this afternoon. Berglund has just 14 points (8G / 6A) in 40 games this season.
Soshnikov is dealing with an illness so he did not travel to Dallas and won’t play this afternoon. Soshnikov has not picked up in three games with the Blues. He will be replaced by Patrik Berglund.
Pacioretty left late in last night’s win over the Islanders and will have to come out of the lineup tonight in Boston. With the season all but over for the Canadiens, there’s no need to force Pacioretty into any games down the stretch. He has returned to Montreal to be re-evaluated.
Mete was hurt in the Canadiens’ win in Brooklyn last night. He played just 5:48 TOI before departing the contest and will be replaced by Jordie Benn, who served as a healthy scratch last night. Mete is being re-evaluated in Montreal, but consider him day-to-day for now.
Mrazek allowed four goals on 35 shots in the Flyers loss to the Hurricanes on Thursday. It was his first loss since joining Philadelphia and is now 3-1-0 with a 1.96 GAA and .928 SV% with his new squad. Despite the hot start in Philly, he has a rough matchup in Tampa Bay this afternoon, a team he has historically struggled against in his career.
Hutton allowed one goal on 36 shots in the Blues win over the Red Wings on Wednesday. Hutton stood on his head when the Blues needed it most, snapping a seven-game team losing streak. He will look to win his second in a row in Dallas this afternoon—the Stars have lost five of their last eight games.
Paquette has been in the lineup for the last eight games but he will be a healthy scratch this afternoon with Nikita Kucherov (upper-body) re-entering the lineup.
Kucherov missed the last two games with an upper-body injury but will draw back in vs. the Flyers this afternoon. Kucherov will be back on a line with Steven Stamkos and Alex Killorn for the matinee—he has 33 goals and 49 assists (82 points) in 63 games this season.
Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Lightning’s loss to Buffalo on Wednesday. It was a surprising loss for Vasilevskiy, who will be back in net this afternoon after getting Thursday night off. Vasilevskiy finished February at 8-3-1 with a 2.89 GAA and .916 SV%. He stopped 36 of 37 shots i a 5-1 win in Philadelphia in their last meeting.
Bortuzzo has missed the last five games with a knee injury, but he is expected to play in Dallas this afternoon. Bortuzzo has just one goal and seven assists (eight points) in 55 games this season. He will likely replace Jordan Schmaltz in the lineup.
With Thomas Greiss hurt and Jaroslav Halak losing five in a row, including last night, Gibson will make his first NHL start of the season tonight. The 25-year-old, former second-round pick has gone 18-11-1 with a 2.31 GAA, .909 SV% and four shutouts in 33 games with Bridgeport (AHL) this season. His first start comes against one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
