Backstrom turned aside 16 of 19 shots in Minnesota’s loss to the Blackhawks on Thursday. With Darcy Kuemper on IR he will make his second straight start as he searches for his first win since December 13th. Including that win, he has a 3.60 GAA and .878 SV% in his last six appearances (4 starts).
Rinne stopped 18 of 20 shots in the Predators win over the Stars on Thursday. It was his fourth consecutive win and league leading 27th of the season. He carries a 2.00 GAA and .929 SV% into Saturday’s matinee with the Wild. Minnesota has lost three straight while allowing an average of 5.00 goals per game.
Timonen has not played yet this season because of blood clots in his right leg and lungs. He will meet with doctors to determine whether or not he will be able to play again. The Flyers could certainly use the veteran blueliner back in their lineup.
Mason, who has been battling a lower-body injury lately, left this afternoon’s game less than eight minutes in. He made a right pad save and then went down in obvious pain as he tried to push-off. Mason was replaced by Ray Emery and he will likely miss some time.
Ward allowed two goals on 20 shots in the Hurricanes 5-2 win over the Sabres on Thursday. Ward will make his seventh start in the Hurricanes last eight games—he is 2-4-0 with a 2.03 GAA and .927 SV% in his last six.
Quick allowed four goals on 26 shots in the Kings loss to the Rangers on Thursday. He has dropped four of his last five games while allowing 13 goals on just 87 shots (.851 SV%). Things have not been easy for Quick lately, but he draws a solid matchup vs. a Jets team who have lost four of five as well.
Lazar will play in his first game since returning from the World Juniors. It will be his first NHL games since December 17th. He has one goal and six assists in 27 games this season.
Ellis was injured in Thursday’s game vs. the Stars and will miss at least the next five games. He will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break and then a more detailed timeline will be released. The Predators did not recall a defenseman from Milwaukee for today’s game, so Anton Volchenkov must be ready to return.
Ward allowed two goals on 20 shots in the Hurricanes 5-2 win over the Sabres on Thursday. It looks like Ward will make his seventh start in the Hurricanes last eight games—he is 2-4-0 with a 2.03 GAA and .927 SV% in his last six.
Eriksson missed Thursday’s game with a hand injury that he suffered on Wednesday vs. the Penguins. He is back in the lineup on the Bruins third line with Chris Kelly and Carl Soderberg. He has six goals and six assists (12 points) in his last 15 games.
Rask gave up two goals on 39 shots in the Bruins 3-2 OT win over the Penguins on Wednesday. He was the backup on Thursday, but will play today in Philadelphia. Despite posting a 1.68 GAA and .945 SV%, Rask is only 1-0-3 in afternoon games this season.
Smith made 34 saves on 35 shots in the Coyotes win over the Jets on Thursday. It was Smith’s best game of the season and it earned him a fourth start start tonight with the Senators in town. Smith is 5-7-2 with a 3.48 GAA and .887 SV% at Gila River Arena this season.
Howard allowed two goals on 23 shots in the Red Wings win in Edmonton on Tuesday. He was given Wednesday night off, but he will be back between the pipes tonight in Washington. He has won three of five with a 2.19 GAA and .919 SV%.
Eriksson, who missed Thursday’s game with a hand injury, will take part in warmups and make a decision on whether he will be available prior to puck-drop. Monitor his status throughout warmups.
Clutterbuck missed Friday’s game, but will be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Blue Jackets. Clutterbuck will skate on the fourth line.
Grabovski left Friday’s games with a lower-body injury and did not return. Grabo had been skating on the Islanders top-line, but will be replaced by Josh Bailey on that line. Grabovski is listed as day-to-day.
Johnson allowed three goals on 21 shots in the Islanders loss to the Canadiens on December 23rd. Jaroslav Halak has started the last eight games, but Johnson will start tonight in Columbus. Johnson has gone 3-4-0 with a 3.64 GAA and .869 SV% in seven road starts.
Mason stopped 26 of 28 shots in the Flyers OT win over Capitals on Thursday. He has won each of his last two starts while stopping 67 of 70 shots (.957 SV%). Mason has gone 2-1-0 with a 1.67 GAA and .943 SV% in afternoon starts this season.
In advance of tonight’s game in Montreal, the Penguins moved Kunitz back onto the top-line with Sidney Crosby and David Perron. Kunitz has 12 goals and 13 assists (25 points) in 32 games this season.
Shore, 23, was a second round pick (44th overall) in 2009. Shore has recorded nine goals and 21 assists (30 points) in 35 games with San Antonio (AHL) this season. He will report to Adirondack.
