This will be the third consecutive game Filppula will have missed. He has just 10 points in 19 games . The Red Wings will look for him to step up when he returns to the lineup.
Niemi allowed only one goal on 33 shots but still didn't get the win as the Sharks lost in a shootout to the Red Wings. The Sharks are having a hard time scoring and it won't get any easier as they will likely face Pekka Rinne tonight. Niemi should be able to post good numbers against a Predators team who's offense isn't playing well either.
Howard played well against the Kings stopping 27 of 29 shots but lost on a late turnover in the defensive zone. The Red Wings were killing penalties for most of the third period including two 5-on-3's which hurt Howard. He has a tough matchup in big divisional matchup with the Blackhawks.
Frattin (knee) has been out since February 11 but should be back in the lineup soon now that he was medically cleared for contact. Frattin was one of the Maple Leafs best players before getting hurt. He will look to pick-up where he left-off when he gets back. He has seven goals and three assists in 10 games this season.
Flynn has been recalled and will replace John Scott in the Sabres lineup today when they take on New Jersey.
Brent missed five games because of a lower-body injury before returning Thursday. He must have re-aggravated that injury because it appears he is going be out of the lineup again tonight.
Wolski hasn't recorded a point in the Capitals last 10 games.
Rinne's numbers lately are not where Rinne and the Predators would like that. He's only won once in the last three games while posting a 4.87 GAA and .819 SV%. He will look to get back on track tonight against the Sharks.
Niemi allowed only one goal on 33 shots but still didn't get the win as the Sharks lost in a shootout to the Red Wings. The Sharks are having a hard time scoring and it won't get any easier as they will likely face Pekka Rinne tonight. Niemi should be able to post good numbers against a Predators team who's offense isn't playing well either.
There is no word on what the injury could be but the Sabres will be without their leading goal scorer. Vanek has 12 goals and 15 assists in 20 games this season.
This will be Pitkanen's first game since February 12th when he suffered a lower-body injury. He had one goal, five assists and a +8 in 12 games before getting injured.
Vokoun has only made two starts in the last two weeks and he was on the losing end of both of them. In those two contests he posted a 6.84 GAA and .815 SV%. I would be tough to give him a spot start after looking at those numbers. He has a tough matchup vs. the first place Canadiens.
Pavelec has been sensational lately winning three consecutive and five of his last six. He has pushed his SV% above .900 with his solid play lately. He has a decent matchup vs. the Capitals. However when Alex Ovechkin is on the ice anything can happen.
Hedberg has lost his last four starts while posting a 4.06 GAA and .849 SV%. He hasn't played well since Brodeur got hurt which has hurt the Devils. He has a solid matchup vs. the Sabres who are 14th in the Eastern Conference, but he will need to outplay Ryan Miller if he wants to record the win.
Bryzgalov leads the NHL in starts with 20 and he will make his 21 today when the Flyers take on the Senators. Bryz sits at 10-9-1 with a 2.69 GAA and .902 SV% this season. He has a solid matchup vs. the banged-up Senators.
Miller has won two starts in a row while stopping 70 of 74 in those games. He has seen more rubber than anyone else in the NHL this season and has been up to the task posting a .917 which is tied for 13th in the NHL. He has a solid matchup vs. the Devils who have lost three straight.
Price has been great this season, his 1.90 GAA is fifth in the NHL while his .924 SV% is good for eighth. The Canadiens are first in the Eastern Conference and they will look to stay there with a win over the Penguins today. It is a tough matchup for Price.
The hope was that Steen (shoulder) would be able to return right away but that is not the case. He will join Andy McDonald on IR after the two of them collided in practice. There is no timetable for Steen's return, but it doesn't appear as if he will be out long-term.
Ward recorded a big win with 26 save performance in a 4-1 win over the Penguins on Thursday. Ward GAA sits at an even 3.00 and would move it below three with another solid start today vs. Florida. This is a good matchup for Ward and it shouldn't be too difficult for him to pick up the win. Start him with confidence.
Garon will make his third consecutive start tonight while Anders Lindback continues to struggle to become a consistent #1 NHL goalie. Garon lost his last two starts while stopping 57 of 63 shots (.904). He has a tough matchup against a Boston Bruins team that sits one-point out of first in the Eastern Conference with three games in-hand (13-2-2).