Crawford did not skate this morning because of a lower-body injury. The ailment will keep him out of the crease tomorrow, which means Antti Raanta will get the call. Crawford will be evaluated today and a more detailed injury report should be released in the next 24 hours.
Raanta will make his first start since October 25th. He was in-line to get a start on November 22nd, but got sick and couldn’t play. In three starts this season he is 1-2-0 with a 2.03 GAA and .933 SV%, but draws a very difficult matchup vs. a Blues team who are 7-2-1 in their last 10.
Brodeur started practicing with the Blues last Friday and has obviously impressed enough to earn a one-year deal. Brodeur could get a start on the Blues current road-trip. The 42-year-old goaltender is one of the greatest in NHL history but it will be weird to see him in anything other than Red and Black. He went 19-14-6 with a 2.51 GAA, .901 SV% with three shutouts with the Devils last season. His contract is believed to have performance bonuses.
Gomez had two goals and 10 assists (12 points) in 46 games with the Panthers last season. His last four seasons have been a struggle, but he returns to the team who he started his NHL career with. He is expected to centre the top-line with Patrik Elias and Jaromir Jagr.
Henrique missed Saturday’s game, but will be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Penguins. With Henrique back in the lineup and Scott Gomez signing with the team yesterday, Michael Ryder will be the Devils’ healthy scratch.
Miller allowed four goals on 29 shots in the Canucks 5-3 loss to the Red Wings on Sunday. Miller had recorded back-to-back shutouts and four straight wins prior to Sunday, but he will get a chance to bounce-back right away tonight in Washington. Miller is 1-0 vs. the Caps and 8-3-0 with a 2.60 GAA and .912 SV% on the road.
Ryan will miss his second game with a fractured finger, but there is some silver lining here for Ryan owners. A severe fractured finger could have sidelined Ryan for weeks, but his presence on the ice the last two days suggests that he won’t be sidelined for long.
Bennett will miss his fourth consecutive game with a lower-body injury that he suffered on November 24th. The Penguins have yet to release a timetable for Bennett’s return, but this afternoon they have moved him to IR to make roster room.
Miller allowed four goals on 29 shots in the Canucks 5-3 loss to the Red Wings on Sunday. Miller had recorded back-to-back shutouts and four straight wins prior to Sunday, but it looks like he will get a chance to bounce-back right away tonight in Washington. Miller is 1-0 vs. the Caps and 8-3-0 with a 2.60 GAA and .912 SV% on the road.
Lehtonen gave up five goals on 34 shots in the Stars 5-4 OT loss to Minnesota on Friday. The loss snapped a three-game losing streak for Lehtonen, who finished November at 5-5-1 with a 3.20 GAA and .903 SV%. It has been a troubling first 20 starts of the year for the 31-year-old. Tonight he takes on the Leafs in Toronto, he has gone 5-2-0 on the road.
Ryan was on the ice for the Senators morning skate, but skated as an extra and stayed on late for extra work, which suggests he will miss his second straight game with a fractured finger.
Lehtonen gave up five goals on 34 shots in the Stars 5-4 OT loss to Minnesota on Friday. The loss snapped a three-game losing streak for Lehtonen, who finished November at 5-5-1 with a 3.20 GAA and .903 SV%. It has been a troubling first 20 starts of the year for the 31-year-old. Tonight he takes on the Leafs in Toronto, he has gone 5-2-0 on the road.
Rinne stopped 21 of 22 shots in the Predators 2-1 win over the Blue Jackets on Saturday. Rinne been virtually unbeatable as of late, winning six in a row with a 1.45 GAA and .945 SV%—he also won 10 of 11 starts in November. When he gets the start, you know what to do by now.
Nabokov surrendered five goals on 36 shots in the Lightning’s loss to the Islanders on November 18th. Workhorse Ben Bishop has started the last five games, but Nabby gets back in goal tonight vs. the Sabres. It is a tremendous matchup, making Nabokov a great spot-start.
Originally, Sharp was expected to return to the Blackhawks’ lineup tomorrow vs. the Blues, but it looks like his owners will have to wait a little bit longer. After Wednesday, Chicago has a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday, Sharp could return in one of those games.
Komarov suffered the injury to his head on Saturday vs. the Capitals. His concussion-like symptoms have subsided but he will still be held out of tonight’s game and could be in danger of missing Thursday’s game as well.
Head coach Mike Johnston said that Crosby is “under the weather” and undergoing some testing. Monitor Crosby’s status throughout the day, but I wouldn’t expect Crosby to sit due to an illness.
Fleury allowed three goals on 34 shots in Friday’s loss to the Hurricanes. It was an unexpected defeat and just Fleury’s fourth regulation loss of the season. He enters play tonight at 13-4-1 with a 2.19 GAA and .924 SV% on the year. Fleury has a nice matchup vs. a banged-up Devils team who are 24th in scoring.
Howard stopped 30 of 33 shots that the Canucks threw at him in Sunday’s 5-3 win. Howie has won three in a row with a 2.67 GAA and .904 SV%. Tonight he draws a strong matchup against a Panthers team who are 9-7-6 while ranking 28th in scoring with 2.04 goals per game.
Ward allowed two goals on 22 shots in the Hurricanes surprising 4-2 win over the Penguins on Friday. He was given Saturday night off, but will be back between the pipes tonight vs. the Predators. Nashville has been really impressive in their first 23 games—going 16-5-2 with the NHL’s 14th best offence at 2.65 goals per game.
