Smith stopped all 44 shots that he faced in the Coyotes shutout win over the Oilers in his return to the crease last Saturday. Not a bad return at all for Smith, who has gone 11-9-1 with a 2.91 GAA and .908 SV% this season. Tonight he faces a Sharks team that has won seven of their last nine games while averaging 3.11 goals per game.
Lundqvist allowed four goals on 32 shots in the Rangers loss to the Penguins on Saturday. Lundqvist has lost his last three starts while posting a 3.71 GAA and .897 SV%. Tonight he will face the Kings in Los Angeles—he has yet to face L.A but has struggled on the road this season, going 12-13-3 with a2.51 GAA and .924 SV%.
Luongo allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Panthers loss in Brooklyn on Monday. Al Montoya started on Tuesday, so the Panthers will go back to Luongo tonight in Toronto. Luongo is 3-2-0 with a 3.35 GAA and .885 SV% in March and has gone 10-10-4 with a 2.35 GAA and .921 SV% on the road this season. Luongo stopped 22 of 23 in a 5-1 win in his first start vs. Toronto.
Neuvirth allowed four goals on 31 shots in the Flyers loss to the Oilers on March 3rd. Steve Mason started the last five games, including last night vs. Detroit, so Neuvirth will get back in goal tonight. Neuvirth posted a 30-save shutout over the Blackhawks back in October. He is 7-5-2 with a2.40 GAA and .922 SV% on the road.
Pirri has been out with an ankle injury since February 13th, but it looks like he will make his Ducks debut against the Rangers tonight. He skated with Ryan Getzlaf and David Perron in the morning skate, so it looks like his Ducks debut will come on the top line. He had 11 goals goals and 13 assists (24 points) in 52 games with the Panthers.
Thompson will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury. With Thompson out, Shawn Horcoff will remain in the lineup as the Ducks’ fourth line centre.
Vatanen will sit out for the third straight game with an upper-body injury. Hampus Lindholm and Cam Fowler will continue to play expanded roles with Vatanen sidelined. He remains day-to-day.
Bieksa will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury. With Bieksa out, Clayton stoner will remain in the lineup and Simon Despres will likely play a larger role.
Matteau has picked up one assist in six games since being acquired from the Devils at the trade deadline. Matteau will be a healthy scratch for the second time in three games—he comes out with Lars Eller re-entering the lineup.
Olsen was recalled with Erik Gudbranson out on Tuesday, but he was not in the lineup. Olsen returns to the AHL, where he has 12 points (4G / 8A) in 38 games with Portland.
Byfuglien missed Monday’s game with an illness, but is expected to return to the lineup tonight Calgary. With Byfuglien back in, Julian Melchiori will be a healthy scratch. Byfuglien has 16 goals and 28 assists (44 points) in 68 games this season.
Pavelec allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Jets win over the Avalanche on Saturday. Michael Hutchinson faced the Canucks on Monday, but they’ll go back to Pavelec tonight in Calgary. Pavelec stopped 19 of 20 shots in a Jets win over the Flames in October, but he has gone 4-4-1 with a 3.00 GAA and .895 SV% on the road this year.
Neuvirth allowed four goals on 31 shots in the Flyers loss to the Oilers on March 3rd. Steve Mason started the last five games, including last night vs. Detroit, so Neuvirth is expected to get back in goal tonight. Neuvirth posted a 30-save shutout over the Blackhawks back in October. He is 7-5-2 with a2.40 GAA and .922 SV% on the road.
Eller has missed the last two games with an illness, but will draw back into the lineup tonight in Buffalo. The two-way centre has 11 goals, 11 assists (22 points) and a minus-14 rating in 67 games this season. Stefan Matteau will be a healthy scratch with Eller back in.
Beaulieu has been out since February 22nd, but will return to the lineup tonight vs. the Sabres. Beaulieu has 17 points (2G / 15A) in 56 games this season. He is expected to be paired with Victor Bartley and play on the second power-play unit.
