Spooner simply can’t stay healthy this season as he’s only appeared in 10 games and will likely land back on IR after suffering another injury on Monday. Jake DeBrusk will take Spooner’s spot in the lineup on Thursday.
DeBrusk has missed the last three games but will play tonight vs. Arizona. DeBrusk will replace Ryan Spooner, who is sidelined again. DeBrusk has registered 12 points (5G / 7A) in 21 games this season.
Rittich allowed two goals on six shots after replacing Mike Smith in the Flames loss to the Oilers last Saturday. In his first start with the Flames, Rittich stopped 24 of 26 shots in a win in Colorado. Rittich will be in tough as he goes head-to-head with Carey Price.
With Steve Mason out and Connor Hellebuyck starting the last seven games, Comrie will make his season debut tonight in Florida. Comrie has gone 8-4-1 with a 2.30 GAA and .927 SV% in 13 games with Manitoba (AHL) this season. He may be with a spot-start with a decent matchup against James Reimer.
Varlamov allowed three goals on 34 shots in Colorado’s loss to Buffalo on Tuesday. Since returning from his illness, Varlamov has posted a 2.61 GAA and .915 SV% in three starts and one relief appearance. He draws a horrible matchup tonight in Tampa Bay—the 29-year-old has gone 3-4-0 with a 3.40 GAA and .890 SV% in seven road starts this year.
Horvat underwent an MRI on a leg injury that the suffered against the Hurricanes on Tuesday. The original prognosis is “not good” and it sounds like Horvat could miss up to a month and a half. Expect a full timetable to be released from the Canucks shortly.
Hickey was a healthy scratch on Tuesday in Tampa Bay but he will replace Johnny Boychuk in the lineup tonight. Hickey has just one goal and three assists (four points) in 19 games this season.
Cizikas has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury, but he will replace Alan Quine in the lineup tonight in Pittsburgh. The Islanders fourth line centre has scored four goals with four assists (eight points) in 23 games this season.
Quine is dealing with an injury, so Casey Cizikas (lower-body) will replace him in the lineup tonight in Pittsburgh. Quine is considered day-to-day and questionable for Saturday’s game in Boston.
Boychuk is dealing with an injury, so Thomas Hickey will replace him in the lineup tonight in Pittsburgh. Boychuk is considered day-to-day and questionable for Saturday’s game in Boston.
Allen surrendered three goals on 25 shots in the Blues’ win in Montreal on Tuesday. After a short two-game trip, the Blues return home to face the Stars tonight. Allen is 8-3-0 with a 2.63 GAA and .911 SV% on home-ice this season and stopped 38 of 40 shots in a 4-2 win in his first start against the Stars.
Halak gave up four goals on 43 shots in the Islanders shootout win in Florida on Monday. Thomas Greiss gave him the night off on Tuesday, so Halak will get back between the pipes tonight in Pittsburgh. Halak has recorded 2.27 GAA and .930 SV% in his last four appearances.
Allen surrendered three goals on 25 shots in the Blues’ win in Montreal on Tuesday. After a short two-game trip, the Blues return home to face the Stars tonight. Allen is 8-3-0 with a 2.63 GAA and .911 SV% on home-ice this season and stopped 38 of 40 shots in a 4-2 win in his first start against the Stars.
With Steve Mason out and Connor Hellebuyck starting the last seven games, Comrie will make his season debut tonight in Florida. Comrie has gone 8-4-1 with a 2.30 GAA and .927 SV% in 13 games with Manitoba (AHL) this season. He may be with a spot-start with a decent matchup against James Reimer.
Coburn will be sidelined tonight vs. the Avalanche, meaning Slater Koekkoek will likely remain in the lineup for the third straight contests.
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said that Dotchin is “probably not possible” to play tonight vs. the Avalanche. Monitor Dotchin’s status heading into Saturday’s game vs. the Jets.
Raanta has missed the last six games with an upper-body injury but will return as the Coyotes’ backup tonight in Boston. Wedgewood will make his seventh consecutive start and Raanta should be back by the weekend.
Wedgewood allowed three goals on 45 shots in the Coyotes overtime loss in Vegas on Sunday. Antti Raanta has been cleared to play tonight, but Wedgewood will start tonight in Boston. He has appeared in the previous six games, posting a 2.44 GAA and .922 SV%.
Jarry allowed four goals on 29 shots in the Penguins loss to the Rangers on Tuesday. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Jarry, who will start again tonight vs. the Islanders. He will be in tough as the Isles come in averaging the second most goals per game in the NHL (3.66 GF/PG).
Brickley was back in the lineup on Monday, but will be a healthy scratch for the fifth time in six games tonight. Dryden Hunt will draw back into the lineup for Brickley.
