Zakoff made 27 saves on 28 shots in the Penguins loss in Winnipeg on Sunday. Matt Murray started four of the last five games, including last night, but Zatkoff will go tonight in Detroit. Zatkoff has lost his last five games, but was victorious in his only career start against his hometown Detroit Red Wings.
Grubauer stopped 31 of 32 shots in the Capitals win in Carolina on December 21st. With Braden Holtby being virtually unbeatable, Grubauer has not seen a lot of action this season, but he has been solid when called upon (2.30 GAA / .914 SV%). He will get another crack at the Hurricanes tonight, making him a strong option.
Greiss gave up three goals on 33 shots in the Islanders win in Toronto on Tuesday. He got revenge for Sunday’s loss to the Leafs and it moved him to 3-2-0 with a 1.59 GAA and .950 SV% in December. Tonight he will face the Sabres for the second time this season— he stopped 20 of 22 shots in a 2-1 loss in the first meeting.
Ullmark turned aside 24 of 26 shots that he faced in the Sabres 2-0 loss to the Capitals on Monday. Chad Johnson started last night, so Ullmark will go tonight vs. the Islanders. Ullmark won his first meeting with the Isles but comes into play at 3-7-0 with a 2.53 GAA and .906 SV% on home ice this season.
Niemi allowed two goals on 18 shots after replacing Kari Lehtonen in the Stars surprising loss in Columbus on Tuesday. Niemi will close out 2015 after going 15-6-3 with a 2.31 GAA and .916 SV% in the first three months of the season. Tonight Niemi will face the Predators on home ice—he has gone 10-2-0 at American Airlines Center this season.
Rask allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Bruins win over the Senators on Tuesday. Rask was 6-2-2 with a 1.54 GAA, .948 SV% and two shutouts in December. Rask’s struggles against the Canadiens in the past have been well documented, but he has performed fairly well against them this season—going 1-1-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .943 SV%.
Quick allowed two goals on 44 shots in the Kings win in Edmonton on Tuesday. He won both games of the Kings’ back-to-back, stopping 69 of 71 (.972 SV%). Quick has gone 9-2-0 with a2.06 GAA and .926 SV% in December and tonight he starts in Calgary, where the Flames have been red-hot as of late. Quick is 10-3-1 on the road this season.
Gibson stopped all 14 shots that he faced in the Ducks shutout win over the Flames on Tuesday. It was Gibson’s second straight win and sixth since being called up. Gibson has posted a strong 1.81 GAA and .926 SV% this season, but he still needs more help from his offence if he is going to continue to win hockey games.
Hellebuyck turned aside 33 of 34 shots in the Jets’ 3-1 win over the Red Wings on Tuesday. He has won two in a row while stopping 63 of 64 shots (.984 SV%). The 22-year-old has been spectacular since being called up, going 7-3-0 with a 2.01 GAA and .932 SV%. Where he has struggled a bit has been on the road, where he is 1-2-0 with a .900 SV%.
Gallagher has been sidelined since November 22nd after breaking two fingers while blocking a shot. Gallagher had 19 points (9G / 10A) in 22 games before getting hurt, so his return to the lineup is huge for the Canadiens’ offence. Gallagher will skate on the top line with Tomas Plekanec and Max Pacioretty.
Condon surrendered three goals on 39 shots in the Canadiens win in Tampa Bay on Monday. The win snapped a lengthy losing streak for Condon, who was 2-7-0 with a 2.88 GAA and .888 SV% in December. The Winter Classic will be Gallagher’s third start vs. the Bruins—he has gone 1-1-0 with a 2.55 GAA and .907 SV% in the first two meetings.
Talbot was yanked after allowing three goals on 14 shots in the Oilers loss vs. the Kings on Tuesday. Talbot has gone 2-2-1 with a 2.68 GAA and .926 SV% in December. He has struggled recently, but has a good matchup against the NHL’s lowest scoring teams. Talbot comes in at 3-4-0 with a 3.06 GAA and .901 SV% on home ice this season.
Rinne allowed three goals on 29 shots in the Predators win over the Rangers on Monday. Carter Hutton started on Tuesday, so Rinne is expected to be between the pipes tonight in Dallas. Rinne has struggled on the road this season, going 3-6-3 with a 2.91 GAA and .891 SV%. I wouldn’t expect anything to be easy for him tonight against the NHL’s highest scoring squad.
Niemi allowed two goals on 18 shots after replacing Kari Lehtonen in the Stars surprising loss in Columbus on Tuesday. Niemi will close out 2015 after going 15-6-3 with a 2.31 GAA and .916 SV% in the first three months of the season. Tonight Niemi will face the Predators on home ice—he has gone 10-2-0 at American Airlines Center this season.
