Backstrom will re-gain his former role as the Wild's starter with Josh Harding on IR. In his last start he allowed three goals on 39 shots in a 3-1 loss to the Sharks. He will take on a depleted Penguins lineup that is still playing really good hockey despite all the injuries.
With Josh Harding going on injured reserve, Gustafsson has been recalled to serve as Niklas Backstrom's backup while Harding is out. Gustafsson has never played a game in the NHL and is in his first season with Iowa. He is 4-4-0 with a 2.95 GAA and .898 SV% in nine games.
“This is not a major situation at all,” GM Chuck Fletcher said. “This didn’t come out of the blue. I’ve been talking to Josh for a while about this. He needs to make an adjustment in his protocols, and now is a good time to do it [with the Dec. 24-26 holiday break on the horizon]. The Wild’s longtime No. 2 goalie never relinquished the No. 1 reins after Niklas Backstrom, the team’s all-time leader with 186 wins, strained a knee October 8 in Nashville. Harding leads the NHL with a 1.51 goals-against average and is second with a .939 save percentage. Johan Gustafsson was recalled from Iowa of the American Hockey League to back up Backstrom, who presumably will start at least two of the next three games.
Stanton fell very awkwardly and appeared to twist his left leg. Stanton has been a good addition to the Canucks blueling after being claimed off of waivers from Chicago. He has posted one goal and 10 assists with a plus-4 in 36 games. His injury opens the door for Andrew Alberts to step into the lineup.
Price stopped 26 of 27 shots in a 3-1 win over the Coyotes on Tuesday. Price has now won back-to-back starts while stoppering 47 of 48 shots. In his first start against the Blues this season, Price allowed two goals on 32 shots in a 3-2 shootout loss. It is a tough road matchup, but Price has been good away from home going 4-4-0 with a 1.76 GAA and .937 SV%.
McElhinney gets the call between the pipes tonight against the Flyers after missing the last two games with a lower-body injury. Since Sergei Bobrovsky went down with an injury, McElhinney has won three of four starts with a 2.12 GAA and .930 SV%. He has a fairly good matchup against a Philly team who are 3-5-0 in December.
During his first official practice, Gaborik skated with Artem Anisimov and Boone Jenner. "I think I need one more practice to make sure everything's fine and to get the feel for everything again, pucks, one-on-ones, skating full stride and those unexpected moves...just dealing with everything that's thrown at you. One more practice and I should be good."
Halak allowed four goals on 27 shots in a loss to the Sharks on Tuesday. It was a rough start for Halak, who has allowed 10 goals in his last three starts. He will face his former team for second time this season. In the first meeting with the Habs he stopped 25 of 27 shots in a 3-2 shootout win in Montreal. He should make for a good start at home where he is 9-3-2 with 2.41 GAA and .903 SV%.
Fleury stopped 25 of 26 shots in a 3-1 win over the Maple Leafs on Monday. Fleury has won three in a row and six of his last seven starts while allowing two-plus goals only once. He has a solid matchups against the Rangers, however the first time he faced New York he gave up five goals on 25 shots in a 5-1 loss.
Malkin sustained a lower-body injury Saturday when he fell feet-first into the boards during the Penguins' game at the Detroit Red Wings. He sat out the game Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Steen, 29, is having a career year, posting 36 points (22 goals) through 33 games this season. He tallied 20 goals in his first 24 games, becoming the fastest player in franchise history to reach that plateau since Brett Hull in 1990-91. Overall Steen ranks high in most major offensive categories, including ninth in points, second in goals, 15th in power-play goals (5), fourth in game-winning goals (5), 17th in shots (112) and sixth in shooting percentage (19.6%).
Smithson is replacing Trevor Smith's spot on the roster but will have little fantasy significance.
Tootoo is not expected to have any fantasy relevance.
Gaborik is targeting Saturday to return to the Blue Jackets' lineup. Gaborik has 11 points in 17 games this season and should be safe to start vs. the Flyers.
Ramo allowed three goals on 32 shots in a loss to the Rangers on Sunday. Despite the loss, Ramo has played very well lately. He has won three out of his last five starts with a 1.75 GAA and .938 SV%. He will take on a Red Wings team who have lost six in a row. Ramo is 3-3-2 with a 2.91 GAA and .903 SV% on the road.
Engelland hit Detroit's Justin Abdelkader illegally in the head during Saturday's game.
Cammalleri will likely slot back into his top LW position for the Flames - he missed Tuesday's game with illness. Cammalleri has 15 points in 26 games.
Just in case you were thinking of chasing the PIMs...
Clowe has only suited up for 6 games for the Devils so far this season and should not be a target for your fantasy team.
Huberdeau has been a disappointment in his sophomore season with 15 points in 33 games. Look elsewhere until he starts putting up some numbers.
