The Wild signed the University of Minnesota product last season and he has picked up 18 points (5G / 13A) in 32 games with Iowa (AHL) this season. He will make his NHL debut on the Wild’s third D-pair with Jonas Brodin as his partner. His offensive ability could see him playing a bit of power-play in his debut, but head coach Mike Yeo did not confirm that.
Mason allowed three goals on 34 shots in the Flyers win in Minnesota on Thursday. It was a win for Mason, he has now allowed at least three goals in four straight games and today he will face an Islanders team that he is 0-1-0 with a 3.73 GAA and .889 SV% in their first two games.
Foligno left Friday’s game with an upper-body injury that he suffered when he was hit hight by Hurricanes’ forward Brad Malone. He looked dazed, so the immediate concern was a concussion and his movement to IR suggests that could be the case. With Foligno out, the Blue Jackets have recalled Kerby Rychel from Lake Erie (AHL).
Rychel continues to be the Blue Jackets favourite call-up. The 21-year-old, former first round pick, has 20 points (5G / 15A) in 21 games with Lake Erie this season. In 11 games with the Blue Jackets, he has picked up three assists. He is expected to skate on the third line as he replaces Nick Foligno (upper-body) in the lineup.
Foligno left Friday’s game after catching a hit to the head from Hurricanes’ forward Brad Malone. Foligno appeared to be dazed, so the immediate concern is that he suffered a concussion. Continue to monitor his status as game-time approaches.
Niemi allowed six goals on 29 shots in the Stars loss in New York on Tuesday. Kari Lehtonen started and won on Thursday, but it looks like the Stars will go back to Niemi tonight against the Wild. Niemi has faced them twice this season, going 2-0-0 with a 2.08 GAA and .930 SV% in those two meetings.
Rask was on the ice for warmups on Friday, but ended up being scratched, so he will be a game-time decision for the second game of the Hurricanes’ home-and-home with the Blue Jackets. Monitor his status when Carolina hits the ice for warmups at 6:30 p.m ET.
Ward stopped 35 of 36 shots in the Hurricanes win over the Blue Jackets last night. He has been great recently, stopping 101 of the last 107 shots (.944 SV%) that he has faced. Despite the heavy workload last night, the Hurricanes will go back to Ward tonight for the tail-end of the home-and-home.
Carlson was always considered doubtful for today’s matinee but now he has officially been ruled out of his seventh consecutive game. He remains questionable for Sunday’s contest. The Capitals will not have a morning skate, so we won’t know Carlson’s status until head coach Barry Trotz meets with the media.
Carey is in his first season with the Capitals organization. He has 12 goals and 11 assists (23 points) in 35 games with Hershey this season. With Marcus Johansson suspended and Mike Richards not ready, Carey has been recalled and will make his Capitals debut on Saturday. He has one assist in 23 career NHL games with the Avalanche.
Holtby stopped 34 of 35 shots in the Capitals win in Brooklyn on Thursday. Holtby is now 10-0-1 in his last 12 starts, but the one team he has struggled against is New York—he is 1-1-0 with a 4.00 GAA and .862 SV% in their first two meetings of the season. The Rangers come in second in the NHL, averaging 3.29 goals per game on home ice.
Lundqvist allowed two goals on 23 shots in the Rangers win over the Stars on Tuesday. It was a big win for Lundqvist, who has been fighting it recently. Tonight he starts against the Capitals, who he is 1-1-0 with a 4.20 GAA and .879 SV% against this season—there has been an average of 8.5 combined goals per game in those two meetings.
Hamonic will be scratched on Saturday because of an undisclosed injury. With Hamonic out, Scott Mayfield, who was recalled on Friday, will make his season debut. Hamonic is considered day-to-day, so monitor his status leading up to Tuesday’s game vs. the Blue Jackets.
Halak allowed three goals on 37 shots in the Islanders loss to the Capitals on Thursday. It was a nice return to the crease for Halak, but he was out duelled by Braden Holtby. Halak earned another look this afternoon in Philadelphia. Halak is 2-0-0 with a 1.92 GAA and .938 SV% in two starts vs. the Flyers this season.
Stastny played just 4:26 before retiring to the dressing room for the evening. Following Friday’s game, Ken Hitchcock did not have an update on Stastny, so consider him questionable for Saturday’s contest.
Bouwmeester played just 5:15 before exiting the contest with an upper-body ailment. Coach Ken Hitchcock did not have an update on Bouwmeester following the game, so consider him questionable for Saturday’s game.
Allen left after Corey Perry collided with him. Allen left early in the second period, turning things over to Brain Elliott. There was no update on Allen’s status after the game, but expect Elliott to start on Saturday and there should be an update on Allen in the next few days.
Holtby was the first goalie off on Friday, suggesting he will start this afternoon in New York. Holtby stopped 34 of 35 shots in the Capitals win in Brooklyn on Thursday. Holtby is now 10-0-1 in his last 12 starts, but the one team he has struggled against is New York—he is 1-1-0 with a 4.00 GAA and .862 SV% in their first two meetings of the season.
Rinne gave up three goals on 17 shots in the Predators loss to the Jets. Rinne has gone 4-3-0 with a 2.58 GAA and .904 SV% in his last seven starts. He has been as inconsistent as he’s ever been and it has been increasingly more difficult to trust him night in and night out. Tonight he faces a Colorado team that is tied for sixth in goals for on home ice (3.00).
Bishop allowed two goals on 23 shot in the Lightning’s loss in Calgary on Tuesday. Bishop has dropped three straight starts while allowing a combined eight goals on 81 shots (.901 SV%). Tonight he gets the nod in Edmonton—Bishop has gone 6-6-1 with a 2.09 GAA and .925 SV% on the road this season.
