Ovechkin did not take part in the Capitals morning skate and was listed as a game-time decision. With Ovechkin out of the lineup, Stanislav Galiev will make his season debut.
Antti Niemi started the Stars’ first two games of the season, but it looks like they will give Lehtonen the nod tonight vs. the Oilers. Lehtonen was 34-17-10 with a 2.94 GAA and .903 SV% last year but he will need to improve on those splits if he doesn’t want to become a backup. He draws a strong matchup vs. an Oilers team who has just one goal so far.
Miller stopped 28 of 29 shots in the Canucks shootout win over the Ducks last night. Miller has had a strong start to the season, going 2-0-1 with a 1.60 GAA and .948 SV% through three starts. Miller will take on a Kings team who has had a terrible start of the season, giving up seven more goals than they’ve scored through two games.
Virtanen was the sixth overall pick in 2014 and after sitting in the first two games, he will draw into the lineup tonight vs. Los Angeles. Virtanen had 52 points (21G / 31A) in 52 games with the Calgary Hitmen (WHL) last season.
Rinne stopped all 31 shots that he faced in the Predators 2-0 shutout win over the Oilers on Saturday. It has been a dream start to the season for Rinne, who has stopped 56 of 57 shots (.982 SV%) en route to a 2-0 record. He is a must-start tonight vs. Keith Kinkaid and the Devils.
Boucher had no points in the season opener and then he was a healthy scratch on Saturday. He will head down to Albany to get some playing time.
Cory Schneider will not dress tonight because his wife gave birth to their child at 3 am on Tuesday morning, so Danis has been recalled to serve as Keith Kincaid’s backup.
Graovac was injured in the Wild’s season opener and will be out for at least two weeks. Luckily for the Wild it looks like Justin Fontaine is set to return this week, so he will slide into Graovac’s role on the third line.
Jones stopped all 27 shots that he faced in the Sharks’ 2-0 shutout win over the Ducks on Saturday. Jones has stopped 46 of 47 shots (.979 SV%) that he has faced to start his debut season with the Sharks 2-0. He has already beat the Kings and Ducks and draws another tough matchup tonight in Washington.
In Montoya’s first season with the Panthers he went 6-7–2 with a 3.01 GAA and .892 SV% and he will get his first start tonight vs. Carolina. Montoya is a strong backup, worthy of a spot-start sometimes, but this early in the week, you probably don’t need to look for a spot-start just yet. He comes in with a career 2.69 GAA and .907 SV%.
Nilsson spent the 2014-15 season in Russia where he was 20-9-8 with a 1.71 GAA and .936 SV% with Kazan Ak-Bars. This preseason he won the Oilers’ backup job by stopping all 53 shots that he faced in 120 minutes. The Oilers have played strong defence through two games, but Nilsson is a risky play tonight in Dallas.
Darling stopped 28 of 29 shots in the Blackhawks win over the Islanders last Saturday. Darling has established himself as one of the better backups in the NHL and one of the best fantasy spot-start options there is. Tonight it looks like he’ll go against a high octane Capitals offence.
Hiller allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Flames overtime win over Vancouver on Saturday. Hiller earned himself a second straight start as he gets set to face the Blues tonight. Hiller lost his only start against St. Louis last season, while going 15-10-2 with a 2.35 GAA and .908 SV% on home ice.
Price allowed two goals on 21 shots in the Canadiens win over the Bruins on Saturday. Price was given Sunday night off, but will be back between the pipes tonight vs. the Penguins. He has started the season 2-0 with a 1.50 GAA and .948 SV%. Despite the tough matchup, Price is someone you start regardless of his opponent.
Hall was not on the ice for the Oilers’ morning skate and his status for tonight’s game is in question. Hall is battling an illness, which could force him out of action. If he can’t play, expected Rob Klinkhammer to draw into the lineup and for Lauri Korpikoski to move up into the top six.
Crawford allowed two goals on 36 shots in the Blackhawks win over the Islanders on Friday. He was given Saturday night off, but will be back in goal on Wednesday for the first game of the back-to-back. Crawford comes in at 1-1-0 with a 2.50 GAA and .921 SV% to start the 2015-16 season.
Donovan has been a healthy scratch in the Sabres first three games and they have placed him on waivers with the intent of sending him to Rochester.
Jones stopped all 27 shots that he faced in the Sharks’ 2-0 shutout win over the Ducks on Saturday. Jones has stopped 46 of 47 shots (.979 SV%) that he has faced to start his debut season with the Sharks 2-0. He has already beat the Kings and Ducks and draws another tough matchup tonight in Washington.
O’Connor allowed three goals on 34 shots in his NHL debut. It resulted in a loss to the Canadiens, but with Andrew Hammond (groin) set to return this week, the Senators have sent O’Connor back to Binghamton.
