Nichushkin served as a healthy scratch in the last two games, but with injuries to Patrick Eaves, Curtis McKenzie and Travis Moen, the Stars will put Nichushkin back in the lineup on Saturday. The 20-year-old winger, who had five shots on goal in the first two games, will skate on the second line with Jason Spezza and Colton Sceviour vs. the Panthers.
Lehtonen allowed three goals on 33 shots in the Stars 5-3 win over the Lightning on Thursday. Despite allowing five goals in the last two games, Lehtonen has registered the win in each start. Back-to-back wins is likely why it looks like Lindy Ruff will go back to Lehtonen tonight in Florida. The Panthers are currently tied for fourth in the NHL in goals for.
Faksa, 21, was the 13th overall pick in the 2012 Draft and it looks like he will make his NHL debut on Saturday vs. the Panthers. Patrick Eaves and Curtis McKenzie went down with injuries in back-to-back games, opening the door for the 21-year-old to make his debut. He had just 10 points (4G / 6A) in 32 games with Texas last season, but scored twice in the 2015-16 season opener.
Miller stopped all 15 shots that he faced in the Canucks shutout win over the Kings on Tuesday. Miller has had a great start to the season, winning three of his first four starts while posting a 1.21 GAA and .955 SV%. He will be in tough tonight against a strong Blues team.
Pavelec allowed three goals on 43 shots in the Jets loss to the Islanders on Monday. He was given Tuesday off, but will start tonight in Calgary. Pavelec has faced 74 shots in two starts, he’s stopped 69 of them for a .932 SV%. Tonight he will take on a Flames team that has scored just seven goals in their first three games.
Quick made 23 saves on 25 shots in the Kings’ 3-0 loss to Vancouver on Tuesday. Quick is still looking for his first win of the season. The Kings are struggling to get anything going so far. Quick enters play tonight with a 3.70 GAA and .861 SV%. He will face a Wild team that is 3-0 while averaging 4.00 goals per game.
Andersen stopped 20 of 21 shots that he faced after replacing Anton Khudobin in Wednesday’s loss. The Ducks have not been able to score so far this season, but Andersen has been steady in goal. Through three contests, Andersen owns a 1.40 GAA and .956 SV%. Tonight he takes on a Colorado team who is the opposite—they can score but can’t keep the puck out of their net.
Rychel was recalled this morning and was expected to make his season debut, but then David Clarkson was pronounced healthy enough to return, so Rychel’s stay with the Blue Jackets didn’t last long.
Jones stopped all 31 shots that he faced in the Sharks 5-0 shutout win over the Capitals on Tuesday. Jones has posted back to back shutouts and has only allowed one goal on 78 shots (.987 SV%). Jones has been the best fantasy netminder to start the season. He is a must-start tonight in New Jersey.
Donskoi is reportedly dealing with a lower-body injury he suffered on Tuesday while blocking a shot. With Donskoi and Logan Couture out, Ben Smith and Nikolay Goldobin will be in the lineup. Donskoi is listed as day-to-day.
Macarthur was injured in Wednesday’s game and was held out of the lineup last night. He will miss a second straight game on Saturday, which suggests that Shane Prince will remain in the lineup.
Matthias missed last Saturday’s game vs. the Senators, but he will get back into the lineup tonight in Columbus. Matthias has no points, a minus-2 rating and seven shots on goal in his first two games with the Maple Leafs.
Hedman missed this afternoon’s practice after leaving Thursday’s game with an upper-body injury. Hedman is not expected to be in the lineup on Saturday, but is day-to-day, so he isn’t expected to be out long.
Bennett has had durability issues throughout his young career and this is not the way he wanted to start the 2015-16 season. With Bennett going to IR, the Penguins recalled Tim Erixon from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).
Mrazek allowed three goals on 40 shots in the Red Wings’ 4-1 loss in Montreal on Saturday. Mrazek has faced 43.5 shots per game in his first two starts, something the Red Wings will need to work on moving forward. He draws a nice matchup tonight as he takes on an Edmonton team who is 22nd in the NHL in scoring (2.00 G/PG).
Mrazek made 44 saves on 47 shots in the Red Wings 4-3 win over the Hurricanes last Saturday. Jimmy Howard has started three of the Red Wings first four games, but Mrazek will get the next two. The young netminder will need to bring his A-game tonight as he is expected to go head-to-head with Carey Price, who has yet to lose a game this season.
Zajac was on the ice for the Devils’ gameday skate but will be held out of the lineup tonight vs. San Jose. With Zajac out, Tuomo Ruutu will play and Sergey Kalinin is expected to centre the top line with Michael Cammalleri and Jordin Tootoo.
Goloubef had nine assists in 36 games with the Blue Jackets last season and will make his season debut tonight vs. the Maple Leafs.
Erixon was sent down on Thursday to make room for Bryan Rust to be recalled, but the Penguins moved Beau Bennett to the IR this afternoon, creating a roster spot for Erixon to come back up.
Clarkson had no points in three games with Columbus after being acquired from Toronto. He was a disaster with the Maple Leafs, posting just 15 goals and 11 assists (26 points) in 118 games after signing a massive deal with his hometown team. Now with the Blue Jackets, he will make his season debut against his former team.
