Hudon has one assist in nine games with Montreal this year, spending most of the year with Laval. He is fourth in the NHL with 27 goals, adding just eight assists (35 points) in 46 games.
Francouz allowed one goal on 21 shots in Colorado’s win in Los Angeles last Saturday. Francouz was named the No.1 star in the NHL last week, going 3-0-0 with a 0.65 GAA, .973 SV% and one shutout. Tonight he faces a Buffalo team that has gone 5-1-0 while scoring 3.83 goals per game in their last six outings.
With Nazem Kadri out with a lower-body injury, Kamenev will play for the first time since January 20th. Kamenev, who will skate on the fourth line and likely PP2, has one goal and five assists (six points) in 23 games this season.
Francouz allowed three goals on 25 shots in Colorado's win over the Red Wings on January 20th. Philipp Grubauer has started the last four games but Francouz will start the second half of the back-to-back tonight in Minnesota. In his first start vs. the Wild, Francouz gave up five goals on 32 shots in a 6-4 loss.
Blackwood stopped all 46 shots that he faced in the Devils shutout win in Philadelphia on Thursday. It was an impressive performance for Blackwood, who had been struggling prior to that game. He has gone 5-7-7 with a 3.07 GAA and .892 SV% one home ice this season and gets ready to face a Kings team that is 1-7-1 in their last nine games.
Head coach Jeff Blashill said that Helm will miss tonight’s game in Columbus but did not disclose what type of injury that veteran is dealing with. Look for Brendan Perlini to replace him in the Red Wings’ lineup.
