Hudler has already missed five games due to illness and only returned for two games, before finding himself back out of the lineup. There’s no indication whether or not he is dealing with the same illness as before or a new one, but either way he won’t play vs. the Blues.
Price stopped all 42 shots in the Canadiens’ shutout win over the Canucks on Wednesday. Price has been absolutely outstanding so far this season. He has won all six of his starts while posting a ridiculous 1.17 GAA, .964 SV% and one shutout. He is a must-start, even against a Flyers team that is fourth in scoring (3.42 G/PG).
Lundqvist stopped all 35 shots that he faced in the Rangers’ shutout win over the Blues on Tuesday. Lundqvist has won four of his last five starts while posting a 1.81 GAA, .937 SV% and one shutout. Tonight he will face an Oilers team that has started 2016-17 at 7-2-1 and rank seventh in the NHL in scoring (3.10 G/PG).
Talbot allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Oilers’ overtime loss in Toronto on Tuesday. Talbot was rock solid once again, but Frederik Andersen was just a little bit better at the other end of the ice. Talbot has been one of the biggest surprises early on, winning seven of 10 starts with a 2.14 GAA and .932 SV%. Tonight he draws a tough matchup vs. his former team, that is leading the NHL in scoring.
Kuraly, 23, was a fifth round pick in 2011 and tonight will be his first career NHL game. He previously sent four years at the University of Miami (Ohio) and made the transition to the AHL this fall. In eight games with Providence, the American born winger had one assist and nine penalty minutes. He will take Matt Beleksey’s spot in the lineup on Thursday.
Beleskey has no points and a minus-7 rating in nine games to start the season. Beleskey will sit out and get a chance to watch tonight in Tampa Bat. Sean Kuraly will make his NHL debut in Beleskey’s place.
Laughton, who is on long-term IR with a knee injury will go to Lehigh Valley to get up to speed before returning to the Flyers. Laughton had seven goals and 14 assists (21 points) in 71 games last season.
Jokinen has missed the last six games and will miss at least two more games before potentially returning next week. Jokinen has registered two assists in four games.
Bjugstad has missed the first 10 games of the season with a broken hand and will miss at least two more games. Head coach Gerard Gallant said Bjugstad is getting close and should return to the lineup next week.
Montoya allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Canadiens’ win over the Islanders on October 26th. Montoya has started four games this season, winning three of them with a 1.47 GAA and .955 SV%. Montoya is one of the best spot-start options in the NHL thanks to a strong Canadiens team in front of him. He makes for a strong option tonight in Columbus.
Crawford turned aside 33 of 34 shots in the Blackhawks’ win over the Flames on Tuesday. After a slow start, Crawford has now won three in a row with a 1.00 GAA, .969 SV% and one shutout. He is among the NHL’s best goaltenders and is a must-start against the 4-4-0 Avalanche, who are tied for 20th in scoring (2.50 G/PG).
Rask stopped 33 of 34 shots in the Bruins’ win in Florida on Tuesday. Rask is off to a blistering start to 2016-17, having won each of his five starts while posting a 1.20 GAA, .961 SV% and one shutout. This is much more like the Rask we know compared to the one we saw last year. He draws a tough matchup in Tampa Bay, but you’re not benching Rask right now.
Niemi gave up three goals on 28 shots in the Stars’ overtime loss in Columbus on Tuesday. The Stars are banged up and goaltending has never been a strong suit of their’s and it’s showing this year. Niemi has a 3.65 GAA and .893 SV% and that likely won’t improve tonight vs. the St. Louis Blues.
Andersen allowed two goals on 46 shots in the Maple Leafs’ overtime win over the Oilers on Tuesday. It was Andersen’s best performance of the season and has now won two of his last three while posting a 2.03 GAA and .944 SV%. This Andersen is a far-cry from the netminder we saw to start the season. Tonight he faces a Sabres team that is 22nd in the NHL in scoring (2.44 G/PG).
Rinne stopped 28 of 29 shots in the Predators’ win in Colorado on Tuesday. The win snapped a five-game losing streak for Rinne, who carries a 2.88 GAA and .914 SV% into tonight’s game in Arizona. Rinne is 1-3-1 with a 3.24 GAA and .906 SV% on the road this season and the Coyotes are eighth in the NHL in scoring (3.00 G/PG).
Hutchinson was pulled after allowing three goals on 15 shots in the Jets’ loss to the Sabres on Sunday. Connor Hellebuyck started on Tuesday, but they’ll go back to Hutchinson tonight in Washington. Hutchinson has won two of five starts while posting a 3.08 GAA and .906 SV%. There are better options out there tonight.
Bogosian left Tuesday’s game in Minnesota and is week-to-week with a sprained MCL. Bogosian has not recorded a point in nine games and he is no stranger to injury. He will be replaced by Casey Nelson on Thursday.
Condon stopped all seven shots that he faced after replacing Marc-Andre Fleury in the Penguins loss in Nashville on October 22nd. Condon was acquired by Ottawa yesterday with Craig Anderson leaving for personal reasons and tonight he makes his Senators debut vs. Vancouver. Condon was 21-25-6 with a 2.71 GAA and .903 SV% with Montreal last year.
Holtby stopped 43 of 45 shots in the Capitals’ win over the Jets on Tuesday. It was a busy, but exceptional night for Holtby, who is expected to face Winnipeg again tonight. The 27-year-old is now 4-2-1 with a 2.13 GAA and .925 SV% in seven starts to kick off 2016-17 and should be trusted again tonight.
Drouin left Tuesday’s game with a head injury after being hit by Islanders’ defenseman Calvin de Haan. Drouin missed the morning skate and is still being evaluated by doctors. Drouin is day-to-day and will be replaced by J.T. Brown tonight.
