Khudobin allowed two goals on 37 shots in a 3-2 victory over the Sharks on Tuesday. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Khudobin. Tonight it appears he will get the call against the Rangers as he continues to solidify himself as the Hurricanes' clear number-1. Khudobin has gone 8-4-0 with a 1.89 GAA and .933 SV% in 12 starts at PNC Arena this season.
Girgensons left Thursday's contest after playing just 6:53 and did not return. It was a good win for the Sabres, but they lost Girgensons and winger Chris Stewart in the process. They likely will not recall anyone from Rochester (AHL) and Zenon Konopka will silde into the lineup for Girgensons and Cory Conacher for Stewart.
Stewart left Thursday's game after suffering a lower-body injury in a collision with Lightning goalie Anders Lindback chasing down the puck for a breakaway late in the game. WIth Stewart out, expect Cory Conacher to make his Sabres debut tonight in Florida. Consider Stewart day-to-day.
Smith stopped all 23 shots that the Canucks threw his way in a 1-0 victory on Tuesday. Since returning to North America with a gold medal around his neck, Smith has gone 1-1-1 with a 1.96 GAA and .927 SV%. Tonight, he faces the Canadiens 20th ranked offence but who added Thomas Vanek to their lineup on Wednesday.
Lehtonen allowed two goals on 23 shots in a win over the Sabres on Monday. He was given Tuesday off in favour of Dan Ellis (now with Florida) but will get the start tonight instead of Tim Thomas making his Stars debut. He will take on a Vancouver team he is 2-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA and .972 SV% against this season.
Eller served as a healthy scratch on Wednesday, but will get back into the lineup on Thursday vs. the Coyotes. Eller has struggled mightily as of late after a hot start to the season. In Eller's last 21 games he has recorded just one assist, his last goal was on December 31.
Budaj allowed two goals on 22 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Kings on Monday. After getting Wednesday night off, the Habs will start Budaj tonight in Phoenix. Budaj has gone 2-1-1 with a 2.87 GAA and .890 SV% in his last four starts with Carey Price sidelined. Budaj enters play tonight with a 7-4-1 road record this season.
Lindback has not played since January 30 because of an ankle injury. Lindback has recently returned from a conditioning stint with Syracuse (AHL) where he finished 1-1-0 with a 1.54 GAA and .939 SV%. The Lightning will ease him back into NHL action by likely giving him the start vs. the Sabres.
Rask turned aside 39 of 42 shots in a win over the Rangers on Sunday. He was given Tuesday night off, but appears ready to return to the crease tonight vs. the Capitals. In his first start vs. the Capitals (5 days ago), Rask allowed four goals on 31 shots in a 4-2 loss.
Rinne allowed three goals on 19 shots in a loss to Pittsburgh on Tuesday. His long awaited return did not go that well, but he looked comfortable between the pipes against on of the best offences in the NHL. Things do not get any easier for Rinne tonight as he takes on Ryan Miller and the Blues.
Zuccarello has missed the last four games with a hand injury that he suffered in Sochi. He will take part in the morning skate and unless he suffers a setback, expect him to be in the lineup on Friday.
Pulkkinen was selected in the fourth-round (111th overall) in 2010. He is in his first full season with Grand Rapids after playing with Jokerit Helsinki of the SM-liiga from 2008-13. In 58 games this season Pulkkinen has recorded 24 goals and 25 assists (49 points) in 58 games. As of right now it would seem he is doubtful to make his NHL debut tonight, but with the youth movement going on in Detroit because of injuries, don't be surprised to see him in the boxscore soon.
Goc was acquired by the Penguins on Wednesday, but he may not play tonight vs. the Coyotes. There has been no information revealed as to where he will land on the Penguins depth chart.
It is believed that when Stempniak makes his was into the Penguins lineup, that he will skate on a line with Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby. Nothing has been confirmed by coach Bylsma, so we will wait for warmups to determine if he even plays tonight vs. the Coyotes.
Zatkoff stopped 30 of 31 shots in a win over the Kings in his last outing (Jan 30). It has been only seven games, but over one calendar month since Zatkoff's last start. He will put his 9-2-1 record, 2,64 GAA and .909 SV% on the line tonight when he takes on the Sharks.
Bobrovsky stopped 31 of 33 shots in a win over the Stars on Tuesday. Bobrovsky has won three in a row while posting a 2.00 GAA and .927 SV%. Tonight, he draws a tough assignment against his former division foe in Chicago. Bob enters play 9-9-3 with a 2.78 GAA and .912 SV% on the road this season.
Schultz was acquired for a fifth-round pick on Wednesday and will make his debut tonight alongside Dalton Prout on Columbus' third-pair.
Zatkoff stopped 30 of 31 shots in a win over the Kings in his last outing (Jan 30). It has been only seven games, but over one calendar month since Zatkoff's last start. He will put his 9-2-1 record, 2,64 GAA and .909 SV% on the line tonight when it looks like he will get the call vs. the Sharks.
There is no word on the Canadiens' line combinations, but it is believed that Vanek will skate on a line with Tomas Plekanec and Alex Galchenyuk. Reportedly, Montreal is the only team to have put in an offer for Vanek on Wednesday. The price in which they acquired him was substantially lower than expected, but a weak market for Vanek would explain that.
Tonight will be just Larsen's second game with the Oilers since December 19. The Oilers traded Nick Schultz to the Blue Jackets on Wednesday, the deal freed up a spot on the back-end for Larsen to be recalled. He has averaged 20:37 TOI with a goal and five assists in 17 games. He will likely find himself in on the top-pair with Justin Schultz.
