Mason stopped all 24 shots he faced vs. Ottawa on Tuesday to record his first shutout of the season. Mason continues to play strong - 2.15 GAA and .930 SV% in 13 outings. Ray Emery played very well vs. Pittsburgh on Wednesday but it will be Mason who gets the nod tonight vs. a Jets team who is suddenly heating up.
Smith is not a great skater but he has good offensive instincts so they will start him on the second line instead of burring him on the fourth line with no surrounding talent. Smith has four goals and 12 points in seven games with the Marlies (AHL).
Thomas was great in Tuesday's OT win over the Ducks. He turned aside 32 of 34 shots to lead the Panthers to a come from behind win. Thomas will be in tough vs. a Wild team who have won five of their last six
Mason stopped all 24 shots he faced vs. Ottawa on Tuesday to record his first shutout of the season. Mason continues to play strong - 2.15 GAA and .930 SV% in 13 outings. Ray Emery played very well vs. Pittsburgh on Wednesday but Mason is expected to get the nod tonight vs. a Jets team who is suddenly heating up.
Desharnais was scratched on Tuesday after only posting one assist in his first 17 games. Desharnais had 10 goals and 28 points in 48 games last season, so the Habs are clearly looking for more offence out of the 27-year-old.
Prust has returned a week earlier than expected after injuring his shoulder on October 19. He is expected to skate with David Desharnais and Ryan White, unless lines shuffle because Brendan Gallagher (flu - Game-time decision) can't play.
With Green out, Tyson Strachan will dress alongside Nate Schmidt. John Carlson will likely move up to the top power-play unit. Consider Green questionable for Sunday.
Holtby allowed three goals on 27 shots in an OT win over the Blue Jackets on Tuesday. It was his fourth win in his last five starts while posting a 2.15 GAA, .933 SV% and one shutout. Tonight he takes on the Red Wings on the road. Usually that would be tough, but the Wings have not won at home this season, so it might not be as bad of a matchup as it looks.
Mazanec surrendered three goals on 33 shots in a solid NHL debut on Tuesday. With Carter Hutton struggling, Mazanec will try and make his case to become the Predators' number-1 with Pekka Rinne (hip) out. He draws a tough assignment tonight when the Preds are in Pittsburgh to take on Sidney Crosby.
Lundqvist allowed three goals on 28 shots in a loss to Martin Brodeur and the Devils on Tuesday. The loss moved him to 4-2-0 with a 1.68 GAA and .940 SV% in his last six outings. 'King Henrik' will look to continue his success on Sunday vs. the Kings.
Talbot shut the door on 32 of 34 shots in a win over the Blue Jackets last Thursday. He has won each of his last three starts and has allowed two goals in each of his four starts. Talbot has been solid as the Rangers backup - he is 3-1-0 with a 1.97 GAA and .933 SV%. He has a fairly tough matchup vs. Carey Price and the Habs.
Elias participated in practice again this morning and hopes to be in the lineup tonight. Being activated is a good indicator that he will play. Elias has three goals and seven points in 10 games. He will skate with Damien Brunner and Michael Ryder tonight.
Phillips missed Tuesday's contest, but skated on Wednesday and Thursday with no setback so he is ready to go tonight. Patrick Wiercioch and Joe Corvo get scratched with Phillips returning and playing with Mark Borowiecki. He has five assists in 17 games.
Eaves has not played in the AHL since 2005-06. He has 27 goals and 24 assists (51 points) in five seasons with the Red Wings. They are pressed up against the cap and Eaves is just a victim of a numbers game.
Regardless Ward is nearing a return and does not need to dress as the backup before he gets a start. There is still a chance that he starts tomorrow, but if not his next chance would be Monday against the Bruins.
Pavelec was outstanding for a third straight night on Tuesday. He stopped 41 of 43 shots and two of three shooters in the shootout for the 3-2 win. On his three game winning streak he has 1.89 GAA and .949 SV%. He has an OK matchup vs. a Flyers team who seem to be sorting things out.
Gallagher did no participate in the morning skate because of the flu. If he can't go expect George Parros to slide into the lineup and Rene Bourque or Max Pacioretty to move up alongside Lars Eller and Alex Galchenyuk. Consider Gallagher as a game-time decision.
Green stepped onto the ice this morning and skated some laps gingerly before leaving the ice. It does not appear that he will be able to go, which means Tyson Strachan will play with Nate Schmidt and John Carlson should move up to the top power-play unit.
Hurricanes head coach Kirk Muller indicated there was a chance that he could play tonight, but that is not the case. Skinner will miss his ninth straight game and likely his 10th tomorrow. His next chance to return would be Monday vs. Boston.
Bernier turned aside 33 of 34 shots in a shootout loss to the Wild on Wednesday. Bernier has only allowed four goals in his last three starts while posting a .964 SV%. He would get the start tonight vs. a struggling Buffalo squad. If he starts, get Bernier in your lineup.
