Zidlicky has been sidelined with an upper-body injury since March 6th, but will return to the lineup vs. the Penguins. It is perfect timing for the Islanders, who will be without Travis Hamonic for the rest of the regular season.
Hamonic suffered a lower-body injury after a knee-on-knee collision in Thursday’s win over the Blue Jackets. Hamonic will miss the rest of the regular season and will be re-evaluated before the playoffs start. Hamonic will be replaced by Marek Zidlicky in Saturday’s game.
Rask surrendered two goals on just 15 shots in the Bruins 2-1 loss to the Devils on Tuesday. Rask has dropped five of his last six starts while posting a 2.47 GAA and .901 SV%. With the Bruins battling for a playoff spot, this is not the ice for Rask’s game to go south. He draws a rough matchup vs. a Blues team that has won five straight games, while allowing just one goal against.
Tolchinsky picked up one assist in 10:53 TOI in his NHL debut on Thursday. The 21-year-old Russian forward returns to Charlotte, where he has 32 points (11G / 21A) in 65 games this season.
Ryan has picked up two goals in five games with the Hurricanes, but he returns to the Checkers, where he has 53 points (23G / 30A) in 66 contests.
The Flyers have six games left in the regular season and Emery will likely be with the team as Steve Mason’s backup goalie, as long as he clears waivers. Emery is not eligible to play in the playoffs, but he is goaltending insurance with Michal Neuvirth still sidelined.
Paajarvi has missed the last five games, but returns tonight vs. the Bruins. Paajarvi is expected to replace Dmitrij Jaskin—he comes in with seven points (2G / 5A) in 43 games this season.
Pavelec allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Jets loss in Philadelphia on Monday. Pavelec was 4-5-1 with a 2.51 GAA and .917 SV% in March and tonight he makes his 28th start of the season. Tonight he takes on a Blackhawks team that has surprisingly gone 3-5-2 in their last 10 games. Pavelec is 6-8-1 with a 2.46 GA and .919 SV% on the road this season.
Gallagher has missed the last 11 games with a groin injury, but will return to the lineup vs. the Panthers. Gallagher skated on the top line with Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk in Friday’s practice, expect him to be on the top power-play as well. Gallagher has 35 points (18G / 17A) in 49 games this season.
Beaulieu suffered a broken thumb after blocking a shot in the Canadiens’ win over the Lightning last night. Beaulieu finishes the season wit ha two goals and 17 assists (19 points) in 64 games. The Canadiens may have to recall a defenseman unless P.K Subban is ready to return for Saturday.
Miller gave up three goals on 32 shots in the Canucks loss to the Blackhawks on Sunday. Miller has lost four consecutive games and is now 1-5-1 with a 2.74 GAA and .921 SV% in March. He has gone 0-2-0 with a 3.15 GAA and .895 SV% in his first two starts against the San Jose Sharks
Rinne gave up three goals on 23 shots in the Predators loss in Dallas on Tuesday. After winning five in a row, Rinne has struggled in his last two outings, allowing a combined six goals on 33 shots (.818 SV%). He draws a tough assignment tonight in Pittsburgh—the Penguins have won nine of their last 10 and Rinne is 12-11-5 with a 2.65 GAA and .904 SV% on the road.
Bobrovsky allowed three goals on 39 shots in the Blue Jackets loss in Washington on Monday. Bobrovsky has lost five of seven starts while posting a 3.01 GAA and .903 SV% since returning from a groin injury. Tonight he faces the Islanders for the first time this season—he is 7-7-0 with a 2.30 GAA and .926 SV% on the road.
Gudbranson has missed the last seven games with a lower-body injury, but will return tonight vs. the Devils. With Gudbranson back, Alex Petrovic will be a healthy scratch. Gudbranson has two goals and seven assists (nine points) in 61 games this season.
Gaudreau has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury, but will be a game-time decision in Los Angeles. “I would love to play, but it’s up to the docs, up to the coaches, to see if I’m 100%.” Monitor Gaudreau’s status when the Flames hit the ice for warmups at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Sparks gave up three goals on 18 shots in the Maple Leafs loss in Tampa Bay on Monday. Sparks and Jonathan Bernier have been alternating starts and tonight it’s Sparks turn to start vs. the Sabres. Sparks has won three of his last five starts despite posting an ugly 3.15 GAA and .868 SV%. He has faced Buffalo to other times this season, going 1-0-1 with a 1.92 GAA and .917 SV%.
Bobrovsky started on Monday, allowing three goals on 39 shots in a 4-1 loss. He has lost five of seven starts while posting a 3.01 GAA and .903 SV% since returning. Joonas Korpisalo has not recorded a win since being called back up.
