Khaira, 21, was a third round pick (63rd overall) in 2012. The 6’4”, 215 lbs. forward has seven points (3G / 4A) in 16 games with Bakersfield this season. He could make his NHL debut in place of the injured Nail Yakupov on Friday in Detroit.
Yakupov had to be helped off the ice just 2.5 minutes into the second period Wednesday against the Carolina Hurricanes after linesman Matt MacPherson backed into Yakupov off a faceoff at centre ice, lost his footing and fell, pulling Yakupov down with him. “It could have been significantly worse based on how it happened,” said coach Todd McLellan. With Yakupov out, the Oilers called up forward Jujhar Khaira from Bakersfield.
Talbot allowed four goals on 28 shots in the Oilers loss in Los Angeles on November 14th. Anders Nilsson has started the last four games, but Talbot will start tonight in Detroit. Talbot has lost five of his last six games, but has been strong in his career vs. Detroit—going 2-1-1 with a 1.96 GAA and .938 SV% vs. the Red Wings.
Raanta allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Rangers win over the Maple Leafs in his last start (Nov. 15). Raanta has been a more than capable backup to Henrik Lundqvist this season. He has won each of his four starts while posting a 1.20 GAA and .955 SV%. He makes for a great spot-start this afternoon with the NHL’s worst offence in town.
Lundqvist was pulled after he allowed five goal on 24 shots in the Rangers’ 5-1 loss to the Canadiens on Wednesday. It was supposed to be a goaltending battle, but King Henrik struggled for the first time this season. Overall he has been fantastic this month, going 7-2-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .936 SV%. Today he will face a Bruins team that has won their last four games.
Granlund didn’t record a point in his only game with the Flames. He has spent the majority of the year with Stockton, where he has nine points (5G / 4A) in 12 games this season. On Friday, Granlund is expected to centre the third line with Joe Colborne and Jiri Hudler on his wings.
Ortio went 0-2-0 with a 4.28 GAA and .868 SV% in four games with the Flames. He heads back to Stockton, where he hasn’t played a game this season.
Hiller has been out since October 28th with a hip injury, but has been activated from IR and will serve as Karri Ramo’s backup on Friday. With Hiller back, the Flames have sent Joni Ortio back to Stockton (AHL) after he cleared waivers.
Hurdler missed the last two games with an illness, but will be back in the lineup on Friday. Hudler has struggled in the first quarter of the season, scoring just four goals with nine assists (13 points) and a minus-7 game in 20 games.
Ramo allowed four goals on 31 shots in the Flames loss in Anaheim on Tuesday. Despite the loss and Jonas Hiller being back, Ramo will start again on Friday. In his 11 previous starts, Ramo has six wins, a 2.83 GAA and .904 SV%. He has struggled on the road this season, going 2-6-0 with a 3.41 GAA and .896 SV%, so tread lightly.
Condon stopped all 11 shots that he faced after replacing the injured Carey Price in Wednesday’s win in New York. With Price out again, Condon takes over as the starter, again. After starting the year 6-1-0, Condon has gone 1-2-1 with a 3.45 GAA and .857 SV% in his last four starts. On Friday takes on a Devils team that has lost three of four while scoring just 1.75 goals per game.
Price aggravated the same lower-body injury that forced him to miss nine games earlier this month. Mike Condon played well while Price was out and the Canadiens will have to turn to him again it appears. There is no word how long Price will be out, but you have to believe the Canadiens will be extra careful with their star netminder this time around.
Quick stopped 33 of 34 shots in the Kings win in Florida on Monday. It was a nice bounce back after being yanked the day before. Quick has won three of his last four while posting a 2.67 GAA and .915 SV%. Tonight he will take on a Lightning team that has won two in a row, including a 5-0 win over Anaheim on Saturday. Quick has gone 4-2-0 with a 2.45 GAA and .919 SV% on the road this season.
Gustavsson allowed two goals on 26 shots in a win over the Wild last Thursday. He has been a great back up to Tuukka Rask this season, going 4-1-0 with a 2.20 GAA and .914 SV% in five games. Tonight it looks like he will face his former team in Detroit. Despite scoring woes at the start of the year, Detroit has won three of four while averaging 3.00 goals per game.
