Halak gave up three goals on 39 shots in the Islanders loss in Columbus on Thursday. He has lost two of three while allowing a combined 10 goals on 101 shots (.909 SV%). The Islanders are slumping, but Halak makes for a great start tonight vs. a bad Sabres team who are on the tail-end of a back-to-back.
Schneider allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Devils loss in Columbus on Tuesday. Keith Kinkaid got the win last night, but Schneider will be between the pipes tonight in New York. Schneider has lost his last five starts while posting a 2.64 GAA and .908 SV% over that span. He has gone 0-1-1 with a 2.94 GAA and .885 SV% in his first two starts vs. the Rangers.
Lehtonen was pulled after allowing four goals on 19 shots in the Stars 5-3 loss to the Flames on Monday. Lehtonen will make his fifth start of the season against the Blues—he has gone 2-1-1 with a 2.49 GAA and .907 SV% in the first two meetings. Lehtonen comes in with a 15-10-8 record at home this year.
Bennett, 18, had 11 goals and 13 assists (24 points) in 11 games with Kingston this season. He also had three assists in four games during the OHL postseason. Bennett missed the majority of the year with a shoulder injury.
With Corey Crawford starting last night, Darling will start tonight in Buffalo. He stopped 31 of 32 shots in the Blackhawks win over the Kings on Monday and has stopped 69 of the last 70 shots (.986 SV%) that he has faced dating back to March 18th. He makes for an excellent spot-start this evening.
Weber is “sore” according to coach Ted Nolan and he may not be available tonight. However, Rasmus Ristolainen is expected to be back in so he would replace Weber.
Smith allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Coyotes loss to the Sabres on Monday. Louis Domingue started last night, but it will be Smith tonight vs. the Sharks. Smith has won two of his last six, while posting a 2.68 GAA and .931 SV%. He is also just 6-20-3 at home, so there are better options tonight.
Domingue allowed four goals on 28 shots in the Coyotes loss to Colorado on March 19th. Mike Smith got the call in the last six games, but Domingue will kick off the home-and-home vs. the Sharks tonight. So far in his young NHL career, Domingue has gone 1-1-1 with a 2.65 GAA and .912 SV%.
Maroon missed the third period in Wednesday’s game and will not play tonight because of an illness. With Maroon out, Stefan Noesen will make his NHL debut.
Stollery has two goals and three assists (5 points) in 12 games with Worcester since being acquired from the Avalanche organization at the trade deadline. He will play tonight because Scott Hannan is out with a facial injury.
Brown has been out since December 9th, but he will be back in for John Scott tonight vs. the Coyotes. He has no points and 13 PIMS in eight games this season.
Niemi allowed four goals on 34 shots in the Sharks win in Detroit on March 26th. Alex Stalock has started the last three games, but the Sharks will go back to Niemi tonight with Stalock feeling ill. Niemi has gone 2-0-1 with a 2.28 GAA and .922 SV% in his first three starts against the Coyotes this season.
Niemi allowed four goals on 34 shots in the Sharks win in Detroit on March 26th. Alex Stalock has started the last three games, but the Sharks will go back to Niemi tonight with Stalock feeling ill. Niemi has gone 2-0-1 with a 2.28 GAA and .922 SV% in his first three starts against the Coyotes this season.
With Corey Crawford starting last night, it looks like Darling will start tonight in Buffalo. He stopped 31 of 32 shots in the Blackhawks win over the Kings on Monday and has stopped 69 of the last 70 shots (.986 SV%) that he has faced dating back to March 18th. He makes for an excellent spot-start this evening.
Noesen, 22, has 13 points (5G / 8A) in 23 games with Norfolk this season. Noesen is a former first-round pick of the Senators but has had his career slowed down by two major injuries the last two seasons.
Gibson allowed a single goal on 27 shots in the Ducks win in New Jersey on Sunday. Frederik Andersen started on Wednesday, but they will go with Gibson tonight vs. Colorado. In his last five starts Gibson has gone 3-2-0 with a 2.70 GAA and .902 SV%. He faces an Avs team who have lost five of their last seven.
Baertschi, 22, has registered 13 points (7G / 6A) in 12 games since being traded to Vancouver and heading to Utica. Baertschi comes in and could play a top-6 role on a line with Nick Bonino.
Datsyuk said that he is playing on Saturday after missing the last two games after his ankle injury flared up. He will centre Tomas Tatar and Darren Helm in a must-win game for the Red Wings.
