Hackett stopped 28 of 30 shots in a loss to the Rangers on Thursday. He has gone 1-5-1 with a 3.02 GAA and .912 SV% since being recalled, which really is not that bad when you look at this Sabres' roster. Unless the Bruins rest everyone and recall the Providence Bruins to play today, don't start Hackett.
Mason stopped 38 of 40 shots in win over the Panthers on Tuesday. The W clinched a playoff spot for the Flyers and earned Mason the night off on Thursday. He will likely start today and then get tomorrow off as he heads into the post-season as the Flyers number-1. A win today would be his 34th of the season, which would break his previous career-high set in his rookie season in 2008-09.
Bobrovsky turned aside 33 of 34 shots in a 3-1 win over the Stars on Wednesday. He extended his winning streak to three games and notched his 31st win of the season. The Jackets close out the regular season tonight and if they have a chance to leap over the Flyers to play the Ranger, but with a loss they could stay put and play the Penguins, or fall to play the Bruins.
Smyth has played most of 14 of his 18 year career with Edmonton. The 38-year-old was drafted sixth overall in the 1994 NHL Draft and went on to score 386 goals and 456 assists (842 points) in 1,269 regular season games. Smyth also had 59 points in 93 playoff games, but never won a Stanley Cup. He came close in 2005-06, but the Oilers were downed by the Hurricanes in the finals. He won six gold medals while representing Team Canada. One at the Olympics (2002), two World Championships (2003/2004), one World Cup (2004), and one at the World Juniors (1995) and at the 2012 Spengler Cup. Happy Retirement Captain Canada.
Greiss allowed two goals on 23 shots in a 2-0 loss to the Predators on Thursday. Greiss' losing streak has hit six games and now the Coyotes have officially been eliminated from the playoffs. With Smith on the shelf, Greiss will likely close out the season for Phoenix, and that means he starts tonight vs. his former team. He has yet to face the Sharks this season, but has posted a modest 2.43 GAA and .907 SV% during the six-game slide.
The Coyotes have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, so Smith will probably be done for the rest of the season. There is no sense rushing him back for a meaningless game. Look for Thomas Greiss to close out the season for the Coyotes.
"We are aware of the situation concerning Ryan Malone this morning," general manager Steve Yzerman said in a statement. "Ryan will not travel with the team to Washington today, but beyond that we cannot comment further at this time." According to a Hillsborough County Sheriff's report, Malone, 34, was arrested at 5:40 Saturday morning, but there were no other immediate details. Malone was being held on $2,500 bond. It has been a difficult season for Malone, who has just five goals, 15 points in 57 games, has been demoted to a fourth line and has been a healthy scratch in the past three games.
Extremely late confirm by the Hurricanes will make it impossible to start Ward, unless he was already in your lineup.
Semin will be replaced by Zach Boychuk, who was recalled this morning.
Expect Purcell to be replaced by BJ Crombeen.
Filppula will be replaced by Cedric Paquette. Consider him day-to-day.
Gudlevskis will make his NHL debut tonight vs. the Blue Jackets. He has gone 18-11-4 with a 2.68 GAA and .901 SV% with Syracuse this season. The 21 year-old was spectacular in the Olympics and has the look of another Lightning goaltender with a bright future.
Ramo stopped 41 of 44 shots in a win over the Kings on Wednesday. He has won three in a row while allowing only four goals on 107 shots (.963 SV%). His season has taken a complete 180, he has won six of nine with a 2.19 GAA ANd .933 SV%. He draws a good matchup vs. the Jets.
Hutchinson stopped 32 of 33 shots in a win over the Bruins last night. He will start his third straight game tonight in Calgary. He has turned aside 48 of 50 shots (.960 SV%) in his last two starts. If you are desperate for a spot-start, he might be a decent idea.
Brodeur stopped allowed three goals on nine shots before being pulled on March 31st. He was awarded the win (just his 18th of the season) but it was a gross outing. With tonight possibly being the final memory Devils fans will have of the living legend, he will look to bring his A-game. He draws a strong matchup against a patchwork Islanders team, who he is 1-0-1 with a 1.92 GAA and .911 SV% against this season.
Many teams are resting their key players down the stretch so they will be 100 per cent for the playoffs. Keith will sit which likely means David Runblad will be back in the lineup.
Nilsson allowed three goals on 31 shots in a loss to the Senators on Tuesday. He has lost two in a row while allowing seven goals on 64 shots (.890 SV%). Tonight, the Isles are in New Jersey to face the Devils. In Nilsson's only start against the Devils he stopped23 of 24 shots in a 2-1 shootout win.
Halak allowed two goals on 31 shots in a loss to the Devils last Friday. He sat for the last three games, but will face the Blackhawks tonight. Halak is 4-4-3 with a 2.53 GAA and .923 SV% with the Capitals, but has lost his last five in a row. He was 2-0-0 vs. the Hawks with the Blues
Paquette, 20, could make his NHL debut tonight vs.the Blue Jackets. He was selected in the fourth round (101 overall) in 2012. The 6-foot-1, 206 pound centre has 20 goals and 24 assists (44 points) in 70 games with Syracuse this season.
Cammalleri has not skated each of the last two days, so it looks like he will miss tonight's game with an illness... Not the face injury which he suffered in the Flames last contest.
