Bernier stopped 44 of 47 shots but walked away on the wrong side of a 4-1 final on Tuesday vs. Florida. Tuesday was the eighth time that Bernier has made 40-plus saves in a game this season. The Maple Leafs are still getting outshot on a regular basis and forcing their backstop to stand on his head. Things will not get any easier tonight when Bernier faces the Lightning.
Enroth gave up three goals on 28 shots in yet another loss on Monday vs. the Oilers. Enroth is still stuck with one win (1-11-5) and remains as risky of a spot-start as there is in the NHL right now. Tonight he will meet the Senators team for the first time this season. Ottawa has won three of five while averaging 3.00 G/PG over that span.
Neuvirth was the first goalie off this morning and was scheduled to start tonight, but Braden Holtby led the team onto the ice for warmups. There were reports that Neuvirth did not look 100 per cent this morning and maybe missing tonight's start because he is feeling under the weather, we will update when we hear something. Holtby enters play with a 15-13-2 with a 3.00 GAA and .909 SV%.
The Vancouver Canucks captain has been dealing with a suspected rib injury and team coach John Tortorella said on Thursday morning that Sedin would not play against the Canadiens in Montreal on Thursday night nor against the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Saturday. The Swedish media outlet Aftonbladet report said Thursday afternoon that Sedin is definitely out, quoting the Canuck directly. It is a blow for Sweden, a medal contender, given that Sedin had been set to centre the country’s top line, with his twin brother Daniel and Boston Bruins forward Loui Eriksson.
Gaborik was named to the Slovakian roster even though he had a broken collarbone, which he suffered on Dec. 21, and on Thursday the organization said that doctors still haven't cleared Gaborik to play. "I'm extremely disappointed that I won't be able to play for Slovakia at the Olympic Games but understand the decision is the right one for my recovery and for the national team," said Gaborik. "I have been lucky and proud to represent my country at two Olympic Games."
Bobrovsky stopped 34 of 36 shots in a 4-2 defeat of the Ducks on Monday. It was his 20th win of the season and third straight while posting a 1.67 GAA and .952 SV%. He is red-hot right now and is a must-start regardless of opponent, but he also draws a great matchup vs. a slumping Kings squad.
Price stopped all 27 shots that he faced in a 2-0 win over the Flames on Tuesday. It was his 24th win and fourth shutout of the season. Price is 2-1-1 with a 0.98 GAA, .970 SV% and two shutouts in his last four starts. Get him in there vs. Roberto Luongo and the struggling Canucks offence.
Rask stopped 27 of 28 shots in a win over the Canucks on Tuesday. The Canucks offence has bee quiet lately so this was just another day at the office for Rask. With two games left before the Olympic break, Rask appears set to face the Blues in St. Louis. Rask is 9-7-1 with a 2.50 GAA and .916 SV% on the road this season.
Quick allowed five goals on 30 shots in a loss to the Blackhawks on Monday. He has now lost four in a row and eight of his last nine starts. However those losses have more to do with the Kings lack of offence than Quick's goaltending. Tonight the Kings welcome the Blue Jackets, he enters play 10-8-1 with a 2.34 GAA and .899 SV% at home this season.
Hutton allowed three goals on 34 shots in a shootout loss to the Blues on Saturday. Hutton has won six of his last eight starts while posting a 2.45 GAA and .916 SV%. Tonight it looks like Hutton will go head-to-head with Darcy Kuemper.
Stone has been out since January 20 after suffering an upper-body injury in practice. The Senators have been impressed with how Stephane Da Costa has played since being recalled, so they elected to stick with him and return Stone to the AHL.
Niklas Backstrom is dealing with abdominal soreness and will not be available tonight, so Gustafsson will back-up Darcy Kuemper.
Richardson missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury. With Henrik Sedin out once again, Richardson could be asked to play a larger role. He has 17 points (8G / 9A) and was playing an average of 17:49 while Sedin was out originally.
Higgins missed Tuesday's game in Boston with an undisclosed injury, but will return tonight in Montreal. Higgins has been on of the Canucks most consistent offensive producers this season. He has totalled 31 points (15G / 16A) in 56 games.
Tarasenko has not been completely ruled out, but it does not sound like he will play. With the Olympics on the horizon and Tarasenko playing for Russia, it will be no surprise if he is held out. Dmitrij Jaskin will slide into the lineup for Tarasenko.
Sedin returned to the Canucks lineup on Monday in Detroit after missing the previous six games. Sedin also played on Tuesday in Boston, both nights he played more than 20 minutes, but was held off of the scoresheet. "We are shutting Henrik down for next 2 games. He wants to play, but he's not as effective as we need him to be right now," said Canucks head coach John Tortorella.
Luongo allowed three goals on 32 shots in a loss to the Bruins on Tuesday. Tonight he is expected to go head-to-head with his Team Canada teammate Carey Price. Winner is the starter in Sochi? Doubt it. But Luongo should make for a strong start as the Canadiens rank in the bottom one-third of the league in scoring.
Green will miss his fourth consecutive game and it looks more and more like he will not be back until after the Olympics. WIth Green out, Julien Brouillette will make his NHL debut tonight.
Timonen missed the last two games with a foot injury, but will return to the lineup toning vs. Colorado. He will play alongside Brayden Coburn and also man the point on the top power-play unit. He has two goals and 17 assists (19 points) in 55 games this season.
This season has been a struggle for Backstrom. He has not played well and he has had to deal with multiple injuries throughout the first four months of the season. Johan Gustafsson has been recalled and will serve as Darcy Kuemper's back-up. Backstrom will likely be held out until after the Olympic break.
