Quick allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Kings win over the Stars on Tuesday. Quick has won three of his last four and has gone 9-1-1 with a 1.72 GAA and .938 SV%. Quick has been outstanding and he draws an excellent matchup tonight with the Wild in town. Minnesota has lost five in a row and Quick stopped 25 of 26 shots in a 2-1 OT win against them back in October.
Bishop stopped 26 of 27 shots in the Lightning’s win over the Panthers on Sunday. Andrei Vasilevskiy started on Tuesday, so they will go back to Bishop tonight vs. the Blackhawks. Bishop has won his last three starts while posting a 1.00 GAA, . 959 SV% and one shutout. The Blackhawks have won 12 straight games—their last loss was back on December 27th.
Talbot allowed two goals on 33 shots in the Oilers win in Florida on Monday. Anders Nilsson started in Tampa Bay on Tuesday, so Talbot will go again tonight in Dallas. Talbot has won two straight and is 4-2-1 with a 1.66 GAA and .941 SV% in January. Tonight he will face a Dallas team that has surprisingly lost seven of their last eight contests.
Mitchell will miss the Panthers back-to-back on Friday and Saturday, but they are expected to get Aaron Ekblad back in the lineup, so they may not need to recall a defenseman from Portland (AHL).
Lack allowed five goals on 32 shots in the Hurricanes loss in Pittsburgh on Sunday. With Cam Ward out with a concussion, Lack will start for a second straight game and likely will for the next little bit. Lack has gone 1-2-1 with a 2.73 GAA and .888 SV% in his last four starts. Toronto comes in having lost five of their last six games.
Dahlbeck did not play in the last two games, but he will be in the lineup tonight vs. the Sharks. With Dahlbeck back in, Kevin Connauton will be a healthy scratch. Dahlbeck has just five points (2G / 3A) in 43 games this season.
Richards went back home for his grandfather’s funeral, so he will not play on Friday in Buffalo. However, Richards is expected to play on Saturday vs. the Ducks. With Richards out, Joakim Andersson is expected to play.
Despite skating over the last week, Price remains at least three weeks away from returning to the Canadiens crease. This is a tough blow for a Habs team that continues to slip in the standings. With Price sidelined until mid-to-late February, Montreal will continue to roll with Mike Condon and Ben Scrivens as their goaltending tandem.
Burmistrov is banged up and listed as a game-time decision for tonight’s game vs. Nashville. If Burmistrov cannot play, he will be replaced by Patrice Cormier. Monitor his status during the pregame warmups.
Panik overslept and missed the Blackhawks morning skate, so he will be scratched tonight vs. the Lightning. With Panik our and Ryan Garbutt traded (to Anaheim) the Blackhawks will go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
Carlson practiced again on Thursday, but he remains doubtful for Friday’s contest. Monitor his status during tomorrow’s morning skate, but it doesn’t look like he will be in the lineup.
The Wild have lost their last five games, so Schroeder has been recalled and could play on Thursday. He brings some much needed speed to the Wild’s lineup, but he has just one goal in 11 games with Minnesota this season. In 25 games with Iowa, he has 20 points (10G / 10A).
Turris is listed as a game-time decision after missing Wednesday’s practice and Thursday’s optional morning skate. Matt Puempel will replace Turris in the lineup if he is unable to play.
Tatar was a late scratch from Wednesday’s game vs. the Blues, but he did practice this afternoon. Coach Jeff Blashill said that Tatar did not feel very well, but he is expected to play on Friday.
Hoffman skated this morning, which could be a good sign that he plays tonight vs. the Devils, but we will not know until pregame. If Hoffman can’t play, Shane Prince is expected to be back in the lineup. Monitor his status during pregame warmups.
Couturier will be scratched on Thursday vs. the Penguins, which is a tough break for the Flyers. Couturier usually serves as a checking forward against Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. With Couturier out, Jordan Weal will make his Flyers debut.
Markstrom allowed two goals on 40 shots in the Canucks win in Carolina last Friday. Ryan Miller started the last two games, but Markstrom will start tonight in Boston. Markstrom has won three of his last four starts while posting a 2.17 GAA and .931 SV%. Boston comes in having won three straight and Markstrom was torched for four goals on 22 shots in his first start against the Bruins.
Crawford allowed one goal on 39 shots in the Blackhawks win over the Predators on Tuesday. Crawford has been victorious in nine consecutive starts while posting a stellar 1.88 GAA and .946 SV%. Crawford has been red-hot, but tonight he will face a team that as been excellent as of late as well—the Lightning come in having won six straight games.
Ference has not played since November 27th and has only appeared in six games this season and that is all he will play in. Ference will undergo season ending hip surgery, but he still has one more year left on his deal with the Oilers.
