Kronwall has missed the first 11 games of the season with a debilitating knee injury, but will make his debut tonight vs. the Jets. Kronwall used to be a solid fantasy defenseman, but his injury concerns and advancing age limit his potential in 2016-17. He had 26 points (3G / 23A) in 64 games last year and will be featured on the Red Wings’ top power-play unit tonight.
Mrazek allowed four goals on 40 shots in the Red Wings’ overtime loss in Philadelphia on Wednesday. Mrazek has now allowed eight goals on the last 50 shots that he has faced (.840 SV%). Despite some recent struggles, he draws a good matchup tonight vs. a Jets team that has lost three in a row and are playing their fourth game in six nights.
Bobrovsky allowed two goals on 38 shots in the Blue Jackets’ win over the Stars on Tuesday. Bobrovsky has won four of his last six starts while posting an impressive 1.50 GAA, .954 SV% and two shutouts. He’s been great, but tonight he faces a Montreal team that has not lost in regulation and sit fourth in the NHL in scoring (3.40 G/PG).
Budaj was pulled after allowing four goals on 16 shots in the Kings’ loss to the Ducks on Tuesday. After winning four in a row, Budaj has now lost three straight while posted a 2.63 GAA and .899 SV%. Budaj is the Kings’ only option right now and he draws a tough matchup vs. the visiting Penguins. Budaj is 3-1-0 with a 2.86 GAA and .875 SV% in four starts on home ice.
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.
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.
Tryamkin, 22, sat for the first 10 games of the regular season, but will play tonight with Chris Tanev coming out of the lineup due to a lower-body injury. Tryamkin is a monster at 6-foot-7, 228 lbs. but doesn’t possess a lot of offensive upside. Tryamkin had one goal, one assist and 11 shots in 13 games last season.
After missing three games with a lower-body injury, Tanev returned to the lineup last night, only to get hurt again. There has been no indication whether or not Tanev re-injured himself or if he suffered a new lower-body ailment. Either way, his injury means that Nikita Tryamkin will make his season debut.
Gordon is expected to miss some more time with an upper-body injury, so the Flyers have moved him to IR to make room for Michael Raffl to be activated.
Schultz served as a healthy scratch for the last two games, but will re-enter the lineup tonight with Andrew MacDonald coming out because of a lower-body injury. Schultz, who will likely skate with Shayne Gostisbehere, has three assists in seven games this season.
MacDonald was hurt in the Flyers’ overtime win over the Red Wings on Wednesday and will miss Thursday’s game and approximately one week with a lower-body injury. With MacDonald out, Nick Schultz will get back in to the lineup.
Weise has just one assist in eight games this season and will sit out as a healthy scratch on Thursday with Michael Raffl re-entering the lineup. It has not been an ideal start to the season for Weise, who signed a four-year deal this offseason.
Raffl missed the last eight games with an abdomen injury, but will be back in the lineup on Thursday. Raffl will return in a nice spot, as he gets to skate on the top-line with Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds. Raffl has one goal in three games this season.
Neuvirth allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Flyers over time over the Red Wings last night. It wasn’t an overly impressive evening, but it was enough to earn him a start again tonight. Neuvirth has won two in a row, but has allowed three goals in each start and is a risky option tonight in Brooklyn on no rest.
Budaj was pulled after allowing four goals on 16 shots in the Kings’ loss to the Ducks on Tuesday. After winning four in a row, Budaj has now lost three straight while posted a 2.63 GAA and .899 SV%. Budaj is the Kings’ only option right now and he draws a tough matchup vs. the visiting Penguins. Budaj is 3-1-0 with a 2.86 GAA and .875 SV% in four starts on home ice.
Johnson allowed five goals on 39 shots in a loss to the Blues on October 22nd. Brian Elliott started the last five games, but Johnson will give him a break tonight. He has a 2.89 GAA and .901 SV% in three appearances this season and should not be used as a spot-start tonight in San Jose
Dvorak was sent down to Tucson, but never appeared in a game. He has been recalled and will be in the lineup on Thursday because Martin Hanzal is nursing a lower-body injury. He has three assists in seven games.
Rieder missed the Coyotes’ morning skate because of a lower-body injury, making him questionable for tonight’s game vs.the Predators. Monitor Rieder’s status leading up to puck-drop—he has five points (2G / 3A) in nine games this season.
Hanzal missed the Coyotes’ morning skate and will be held out of the lineup on Thursday. With Hanzal out, the Coyotes have recalled Christian Dvorak and Jordan Martinook is expected to take his spot on the top line.
