Ellis scored a goal in 9:25 TOI before leaving last night’s game in Montreal with a lower-body injury. Head coach Peter Laviolette did not have Ellis’ condition so consider him as day-to-day.
Okposo hurt his rib cage when he went crashing into the boards and was forced to exit the game. Sabres’ head coach Dan Bylsma did not have an update on Okposo’s injury, so consider him day-to-day until they release more information.
Berra has gone 12-14-2 with a 2.53 GAA and .910 SV% in 31 games with Springfield this season and he has been called up to serve as James Reimer’s backup while Roberto Luongo nurses a lower-body injury.
Luongo stopped all 13 shots that he faced before having to leave after the first period of last night’s loss in Philadelphia. With Luongo out, James Reimer takes over as the Panthers’ No.1 and Reto Berra has been called up to be the backup.
Crawford allowed three goals on 37 shots in the Blackhawks win over the Coyotes on February 23rd. Scott Darling has started the last two games, but Crawford will get back in goal tonight vs. the Islanders. Crawford has won six of his last seven starts while posting a 2.71 GAA and .913 SV%. Tonight he takes on an Islanders team that has won four of five.
Niemi allowed two goals on 20 shots in the Stars’ win over the Penguins on Tuesday. It was a great outing for Niemi, who will start for the second straight game tonight vs. the Islanders. Niemi has gone 9-3-2 with a 2.42 GAA and .921 SV% at American Airlines Center this season.
Because the Avalanche did not skate, it remains to be seen who will start between the pipes in Ottawa. Jeremy Smith started three in a row and is coming off of a loss in Philadelphia on Tuesday, which suggests Pickard will draw tonight's game. Expect head coach Jared Bednar to announce his starter around 5:30 p.m. ET.
Andersen allowed two goals on 36 shots in the Maple Leafs’ loss in San Jose on Tuesday. Andersen has lost three in a row while allowing a combined six goals on 102 shots (.941 SV%). Shockingly, the Maple Leafs have struggled to score recently and in his first game against the Kings, Andersen was yanked after allowing four goals on 26 shots.
Dell turned aside 36 of 37 shots in the Sharks’ win in Arizona on February 18th. Martin Jones started five of the last six games, but Dell draws the Canucks tonight. The 27-year-old has impressed in limited duty this season, going 7-3-1 with a 1.95 GAA , .934 SV% and one shutout in 12 appearances. He is an interesting spot-start option tonight.
Greiss was pulled after allowing three goals on 17 shots in the Islanders’ blowout loss in Columbus on Saturday. He ended up going 5-5-0 with a 3.16 GAA And .891 SV% in February—a significantly worse month than January. Greiss posted a 23-save shutout in his only start against the Stars this season.
