Kruger missed Tuesday’s game with an illness, but is over his bug and will return to the lineup on Thursday. The two-way centre has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 40 games this season and should replace Dennis Rasmussen in the lineup.
Crawford allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Blackhawks’ loss in San Jose on Tuesday. Crawford finished January at 5-5-0 with a 3.18 GAA and .894 SV% and will look to have a better February that starts tonight versus the Coyotes. Crawford has gone 7-8-0 with a 2.90 GAA and .907 SV% in 15 starts on the road this season.
Smith allowed three goals on 39 shots in the Coyotes’ loss to the Kings on Tuesday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Smith, who will make his 32nd start of the season tonight. He is 8-8-2 with a 2.73 GAA and .921 SV% in 18 starts on home-ice, but will be in tough against the Blackhawks.
Domi has missed the last 23 games after undergoing surgery on his hand. Domi was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice and the Coyotes didn’t rule out a possible return on Thursday. Monitor his status during tomorrow’s morning skate.
McIlrath last played on January 18th and has only appeared in five games with the Panthers this season. McIlrath heads to Springfield, where he has one goal and one assist in six games this season.
McCann played with Nick Bjugstad and Jaromir Jagr last night and finds himself in the AHL today. The 20-year-old has seven points (1G / 6A) in 29 games with the Panthers and six points (4G / 2A) in 15 games with Springfield.
Carr appeared in the last three games, but will return to St. John’s with Alex Galchenyuk set to return to the lineup on Thursday. Carr has two goals and one assist in three games with the IceCaps this season.
The Oilers drafted Moroz five spots after the Coyotes selected Henrik Samuelsson in 2012. Moro has registered just one goal and two assists (three points) in 17 games with Bakersfield (AHL) and will report to Tucson.
Samuelsson, 22, was the 27th overall pick in 2012, but has only appeared in three career NHL games. Samuelsson was a target of the Oilers in 2012 and now he has a shot to crack their roster with some strong play in Bakersfield (AHL). Samuelsson has registered just two goals and one assist in 20 games with Tucson (AHL) this season.
Khudobin was recalled after the All-Star break and served as Tuukka Rask’s backup last night, but was sent down likely so Zane McIntyre can come up and start tonight’s game in Washington. Khudobin has gone 6-3-1 with a 2.86 GAA and .892 SV% in Providence.
McIntyre was sent down briefly, but has returned and could start tonight in Washington. McIntyre has gone 0-3-1 with a 3.95 GAA and .860 SV% with the Bruins, but 11-0-0 with a 1.44 GAA and .950 SV% in Providence.
Pavelec allowed three goals on 27 shots in the Jets’ win in St. Louis on Tuesday. Pavelec has won three of his five starts since being called-up, but has allowed at least three goals in all five starts. He hasn’t been great, but the Jets are averaging a whopping 4.20 goals per game in front of him.
Sheary was hurt during Tuesday’s win over the Predators and will miss at least one month. This is a tough break for the young winger, who has built up a great chemistry with Sidney Crosby this season. Sheary is third on the Penguins in goals (17) and his injury should allow Chris Kunitz or Jake Guentzel to move to the top line.
Lundqvist was pulled after allowed three goals on 16 shots in the Rangers loss to the Blue Jackets on Tuesday. Lundqvist has been extremely inconsistent this season and tonight he’ll make his third start versus the Sabres—he’s gone 0-2-0 with an ugly 4.03 GAA and .849 SV% in the first two meetings.
Budaj allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Kings’ win in Arizona last night. Budaj extended his winning streak to three games, allowing just three goals on 79 shots (.962 SV%) over that span. Since the Kings don’t play again until Saturday and Jeff Zatkoff has struggled, Budaj is expected to go again tonight.
Price allowed two goals on 39 shots in the Canadiens’ win over the Sabres on Tuesday. It was a good way for Price to finish a tough month of January and tonight he will make his third start of the season versus Philadelphia—he has gone 2-0-0 with a 2.50 GAA and .929 SV% in the first two meetings.
Elliott allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Flames win in Ottawa last Thursday. The Flames have been operating on a win and you’re in strategy, so let’s see if Elliott can get on a roll with the All-Star break behind us. He was 2-3-1 with a 2.50 GAA and .892 SV% in January and will be in tough vs. Devan Dubnyk and the Wild this evening.
Elliott allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Flames win in Ottawa last Thursday. The Flames have been operating on a win and you’re in strategy, so let’s see if Elliott can get on a roll with the All-Star break behind us. He was 2-3-1 with a 2.50 GAA and .892 SV% in January and will be in tough vs. Devan Dubnyk and the Wild this evening.
Holtby allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Capitals’ win in New Jersey last Thursday. Philipp Grubauer started last night, so Holtby will be in net tonight vs. the Bruins. Holtby has won three straight starts while posting a 2.00 GAA and .925 SV%. In his first start vs. the Bruins, Holtby stopped 31 of 34 shots in a 4-3 OT win.
Holtby allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Capitals’ win in New Jersey last Thursday. Philipp Grubauer started last night, so Holtby is expected to be in net tonight vs. the Bruins. Holtby has won three straight starts while posting a 2.00 GAA and .925 SV%. In his first start vs. the Bruins, Holtby stopped 31 of 34 shots in a 4-3 OT win.
