Lundqvist will start his first game since February 2nd. Lundqvist had a tough start to the season, but he has gone 16-5-0 in his last 21 starts. He comes into play with a 2.25 GAA and .922 SV% on the season and will take on a Bruins team who have dropped six straight games at the worst time of the season.
Kadri has served his four game suspension and he is expected to be in the lineup tonight vs. the Senators. Kadri has two goals and twos assists in his last 10 games. Kadri is expected to centre the second line with Joffrey Lupul and David Booth on his wings.
Smith-Pelly played just 8:57 on Thursday and it looks like he will be a healthy scratch tonight vs. the Panthers. He has one assist, a minus-4 rating and 20 shots in 15 games since being traded to Montreal.
Fiala was a minus-1 while playing 11:25 in the only game he played in during his recall. His return to the minors suggests that Matt Cullen will be back in the lineup on Saturday.
Price allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Canadiens 3-2 OT loss to the Predators on Tuesday. Price comes into play on Saturday having gone 4-4-2 with a 1.90 GAA and .941 SV% in his last 10 starts. Tonight he will face a Panthers team who are 3-3-0 while averaging 2.33 goals per game in his last six games.
Varlamov was yanked after allowing three goals on seven shots in the Avs’ loss to the Oilers on Wednesday. He was given Thursday night off as well, but draws a great matchup tonight vs. the Sabres. Varlamov comes in with a 6-1-1 record, 1.97 GAA and .939 SV% in March.
Mason made 34 saves on 35 shots in the Flyers 4-1 win over the Blackhawks on Wednesday. He has been dreadful on the road, but excellent at home this season, so he should make for a nice start today vs. the visiting Sharks. Mason has gone 14-5-3 with a 1.93 GAA and .938 SV% at Wells Fargo Center.
The Panthers run to the playoffs will come without their leading scorer after Nick Bjugstad had season-ending lower back surgery on Friday. Bjugstad had 24 goals and 19 assists in 72 games this season for the Panthers, but had been hampered by a mysterious 'lower body' injury over the past few weeks.It has been an issue for awhile and the Panthers felt it was important to get the procedure done as soon as possible.
Holtby allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Capitals 3-2 overtime win against the Devils on Thursday. Holtby was won four of his last five starts while posting a 1.77 GAA, .940 SV% and one shutout. Tonight he takes on a Capitals team who have turned things around, winning three straight.
Gudbranson was a healthy scratch on Thursday, but will get back into the lineup on Saturday. Gudbranson has 12 points (4G / 8A), a minus-3 rating and 54 PIMS in 69 games this season.
Smith allowed three goals on 35 shots in the Coyotes 4-3 overtime win over Buffalo on Thursday. He has gone 3-7-0 with a 2.39 GAA and .934 SV% in his last 10 starts. On Saturday he goes up against a Penguins team who have lost six of their last seven, but who might get Evgeni Malkin back in the lineup this afternoon.
Stalock gave up two goals on 12 shots after replacing Antti Niemi in the Sharks loss in Winnipeg on March 17th. Stalock has gone 2-4-1 with a 3.26 GAA and .892 SV% in seven starts and two relief appearances on the road this season. He will face a Flyers team who are 21-9-6 at home.
Lehtonen allowed three goals on 34 shots in the Stars 4-3 win over the Flames on Wednesday. Lehtonen has won four in a row while posting a 1.71 GAA and .945 SV%. He has been red-hot as of late and set a franchise record with nine-straight road victories. He draws a nice matchup in Edmonton with Richard Bachman getting the nod for the Oilers.
Mueller had his hand/wrist wrapped on Friday after blocking a shot on Thursday in Detroit. He left the game and did not return and will miss at least the remainder of the Sharks road-trip (two games min.)
Lecavalier has been a healthy scratch in the last three games, but will be back in the lineup on Saturday vs. the Sharks. Lecavalier has just 18 points (7G / 11A) in 51 games this season.
Lehtonen allowed three goals on 34 shots in the Stars 4-3 win over the Flames on Wednesday. Lehtonen has won four in a row while posting a 1.71 GAA and .945 SV%. He has been red-hot as of late and set a franchise record with nine-straight road victories. He draws a nice matchup in Edmonton with Richard Bachman getting the nod for the Oilers.
Hornqvist has missed the last five games but could return tomorrow vs. the Blue Jackets. It appeared in practice this afternoon that Evgeni Malkin is closer to returning than Hornqvist, but monitor his status tomorrow afternoon.
Malkin skated on on the Penguins second line in practice on Friday and said that there is a very good chance that he plays tomorrow vs. the Blue Jackets. Since it is an afternoon game, there will be no morning skate, so monitor Malkin’s status a few hours prior to puck-drop and during warmups.
Ehrhoff is not expected to resume practicing until next week, so he will miss both games of the Penguins back-to-back this weekend. It has been couple of months for Ehrhoff, who has appeared in just six games since the end of January.
Fleury allowed five goals on 28 shots in the Penguins loss to the Hurricanes on Thursday. Fleury has lost four of his last five starts while posting a 3.39 GAA and .890 SV%. Tonight he will face a Sharks team who will be looking to close out their road-trip on a three-game winning streak—they have scored nine goals in their last two games.
