Berra turned aside 21 of 23 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Flyers in his last start before the break. Joni Ortio was given the start on Thursday (2-0 L) but the Flames will turn to Berra against the Oilers tomorrow. Berra is 1-2-0 with a 1.66 GAA and .938 SV% against Edmonton this season.
Hiller stopped 36 of 38 shots in a win over the Predators before the Olympic break. Tonight marks the Ducks' first game back since Sochi and it appears Hiller will get the call. Hiller had a strong Olympics with Switzerland and he will look to keep things rolling down the stretch as Anaheim nears the playoffs. Hiller enters play vs. the Blues tonight at 14-4-2 with a 2.03 GAA and .929 SV% at the Honda Center this season.
Despite surrendering five goals on 35 shots (2 SHG) in a 5-4 OT loss to the Tavares-less Islanders on Thursday, the Maple Leafs will turn to Bernier again on Saturday in a huge divisional clash with the Habs. Bernier did not look comfortable after the long layoff, which might be why head coach Randy Carlyle is going right back to him.
With Carey Price still sidelined with a lower-body injury, Budaj will make his third straight start tomorrow. Budaj allowed five goals on 32 shots, but walked away victorious in OT on Thursday night in Pittsburgh. In his last two starts he is 1-0-1 with a 3.26 GAA and .887 SV%. Tomorrow's tilt with the Maple Leafs is a big game for the Habs, who sit just two points up on Toronto in a tight Atlantic division race.
Niemi stopped 19 of 21 shots in a win over the Blue Jackets in his final start before the break. He did not see any crease time in Sochi, but will hop back into the cage tonight vs. the Sabres. Niemi has been challenged for starts by Alex Stalock, and if Stalock continues to see starts, Niemi's value takes a hit.
Hammond stopped all 11 shots that he faced after relieving Robin Lehner in the Senators 6-1 loss to the Red Wings. It was Hammond's NHL debut, but he will return to the AHL where he is 17-12-3 with a 3.02 GAA and .903 SV%.
Konopka is not fantasy relevant.
Ennis is listed as day-to-day and will likely return Monday in Dallas. Zenon Konopka will replace John Scott who took Ennis' place in the last game.
Brouillette did not play in Thursday's game and has been sent back the Hershey. His return suggests that Jack Hillen (leg) could be ready to be activated from injured reserve.
Grabovski hurt re-injured his ankle after playing just 2:20 in Thursday's win over the Panthers. Grabo missed the previous eight games with an ankle injury, then aggravated in the first last night. Expect Marcus Johansson to move up into his spot on the second line and Aaron Volpatti to draw in on the fourth line.
Letang will be on blood-thinners for another three weeks, is restricted to light exercise, and is counting on medical evidence that those who suffer strokes at such a young age can resume professional sports careers. Doctors have told Letang there is no reason he cannot resume his hockey career, but they cannot tell him when. “I’m targeting it day-by-day,” he said. “I’m trying to improve every day I come [to the rink]. I try to exercise the best I can. I see doctors pretty much every week, twice a week to get better. So we’ll go from there.”
Hiller stopped 36 of 38 shots in a win over the Predators before the Olympic break. Tonight marks the Ducks' first game back since Sochi and it appears Hiller will get the call. Hiller had a strong Olympics with Switzerland and he will look to keep things rolling down the stretch as Anaheim nears the playoffs. Hiller enters play vs. the Blues tonight at 14-4-2 with a 2.03 GAA and .929 SV% at the Honda Center this season.
Kuemper stopped all 21 shots he faced in a 2-0 win over the Oilers last night. It was his ninth win in 15 starts and his second shutout of the season. Kuemper continues to answer the bell as the Wild's starter, however they are likely to address the issue at the trade deadline. Tonight he will face a Canucks team who are coming off of a shutout of their own on Wednesday.
McQuaid has missed the last 10 games with a leg injury and his absence this morning suggests that he will miss number-11 on Saturday vs. Washington. Monitor McQuaid's status during the morning skate for confirmation.
Miller allowed two goals on 38 shots in a 3-2 win over the Hurricanes on Tuesday. The trade rumours continue to swirl around Miller and each time he starts for the Sabres, it could be his last. Tonight he will face San Jose who put up a touchdown on the Flyers last evening. In his first start vs. San Jose, Miller stopped 47 of 51 shots in a 5-4 shootout win (Nov 5).
Brodeur gave up six goals on 21 shots in a 7-3 loss to the Rangers in his last start (Jan 26). Brodeur has clearly taken a back-seat to Cory Schneider, but will get his second start of the season vs. the Islanders on Saturday. He is 13-11-4 with a 2.52 GAA and .899 SV% on the season.
Ennis missed Wednesday's game after suffering a minor injury on a hit in the third period of Tuesday's contest. His presence at the morning skate is a good sign that he could be back in the lineup tonight vs. the Sharks. Ennis has 14 goals and 16 assists (30 points) in 58 games this season.
Halak stopped 34 of 35 shots in a 1-0 loss to the Canucks on Wednesday. It was a good return for Halak, who had a rough time in Sochi. The stellar outing earned him a shot at redemption tonight in Anaheim. The first time he faced the Ducks he was pulled just 7:29 into the game after allowing three goals on eight shots.
Budaj allowed two goals on 28 shots in a 2-1 OT loss to the Red Wings last night. It was a relatively defensive game by both teams, which kept Budaj fresh enough to start both games of the back-to-back with Carey Price battling a lower-body injury. Thursday will be difficult for Budaj as he gets set to take on the Penguins.
Budaj allowed two goals on 28 shots in a 2-1 OT loss to the Red Wings last night. It was a relatively defensive game by both teams, which kept Budaj fresh enough to start both games of the back-to-back with Carey Price battling a lower-body injury. Thursday will be difficult for Budaj as he gets set to take on the Penguins.