The Capitals backup has appeared in 19 games this season, going 10-5-3 while ranking 33rd in GAA (2.98) and SV% (.903). Copley has been a fine backup for Braden Holtby and will likely continue to start 30 percent of the Capitals games moving forward.
Talbot was pulled after allowing three goals on 15 shots in the Oilers 7-4 loss to the Hurricanes on January 20th. Since shutting out the Ducks on January 6th, Talbot has allowed at least three goals in four straight games, going 1-2-0 with a 4.83 GAA and .857 SV% in the process. Today he will see a Flyers team that is riding a six-game winning streak.
Nichushkin has been a healthy scratch for the last three games but will replace Jason Dickinson in the lineup on Friday. Nichushkin, who is expected to skate with Jason Spezza and Andrew Cogliano, has seven assists but no goals on 51 shots in 37 games this season.
Nichushkin will be scratched for the third straight game despite skating on the fourth line on Tuesday. Denis Gurianov was called up on Wednesday morning and draw into the lineup, leaving Nichushkin on the sidelines again.
Nichushkin will not play Thursday due to an “upper-body tweak” so Brett Ritchie will draw into the Stars lineup vs. the Kings. Nichushkin’s return to the NHL has not gone very well—he has no goals and seven assists in 37 games.
Copley stopped 10 of 11 shots after replacing a banged up Braden Holtby in the Capitals 2-1 overtime loss to the Blue Jackets on Saturday. With a back-to-back on Monday/Tuesday, Copley will give Holtby another day to recover by starting tonight vs. the Blues. The 26-year-old has gone 3-0-2 with a 2.28 GAA and .924 SV% on home-ice.
Talbot was pulled after giving up four goals on 17 shots in the Oilers loss to the Sharks on Tuesday. Mikko Koskinen didn’t fare much better, so Talbot will go again tonight vs. the Panthers. Talbot has gone 1-1-0 with a 2.24 GAA, .930 SV% and one shutout in his first three appearances of the 2019 calendar year. Talbot allowed three goals on 32 shots in a 4-1 loss in his first start against the Panthers this season.
Talbot stopped all 39 shots that he faced in the Oilers shutout win in Anaheim on Sunday. After entering in relief on Saturday and standing on his head on Sunday, Talbot earned a second straight start tonight in San Jose. Talbot allowed seven goals on 40 shots vs. the Sharks right after Christmas, so look elsewhere for a reliable starter tonight.
Copley allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Capitals overtime loss in Dallas last Friday. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for Copley, who is 9-2-2 with a 2.56 GAA, .915 SV% and one shutout on the season. Most of his starts have come on the road but he is 2-0-1 with a 2.13 GAA and .926 SV% in his three appearances on home-ice.
Copley allowed two goals on 33 shots in the Capitals win in Ottawa last Saturday. Copley is riding a five-game winning streak, having posted an impressive 1.97 GAA, .936 SV% and one shutout over that stretch. Tonight he faces a Stars team that has won four of their last six (4-1-1) but will be without Jamie Benn.
Copley allowed two goals on 33 shots in the Capitals win in Ottawa last Saturday. Copley is riding a five-game winning streak, having posted an impressive 1.97 GAA, .936 SV% and one shutout over that stretch. Tonight he faces a Stars team that has won four of their last six (4-1-1) but will be without Jamie Benn.
Copley allowed three goals on 29 shots in the Capitals win over the Sabres on December 15th. Copley is riding a three-game personal winning streak, stopping 80 of the 88 shots (.909 SV%) he faced. Copley has played well enough to record wins behind a high-powered offence, going 7-2-1 in 10 starts and makes a strong spot-start option tonight in Ottawa.
Garland was “sent” to the AHL on Wednesday in a paper move before the NHL roster freeze but returns ahead of Thursday’s game. Garland has not recorded a point but has 16 shots on goal while averaging 13:11 TOI/gm in six games.
Lomberg has not registered a point in three games with the Flames this seaosn but has six points (2G / 4A) in 19 games with Stockton.
