Oesterle missed six games while in concussion protocol but will play Saturday vs. the Avalanche. Aaron Ness or Ilya Lyubushkin will sit and Oesterle returns with two assists in six games this season.
Fantenberg did not register a point in two games with the Comets and returns to Vancouver because Quinn Hughes suffered a lower-body injury on Friday night. Fantenberg or Ashton Sautner will likely replace Hughes on Saturday night.
Hughes was forced to leave Friday's game with a lower-body injury that he suffered in an awkward-looking open ice fall. We likely won't get an update on Hughes' status until closer to game-time but the Canucks recalled Oscar Fantenberg from Utica (AHL), which suggests that Hughes will miss at least one game.
Saros stopped 28 of 30 shots in the Predators win in Tampa Bay last Saturday. Pekka Rinne struggled on Thursday, so the Predators will turn to their younger netminder vs. the Rangers. He had a tough start to the season but will try and build off of his best outing to date. He is 6-6-1 in his last 13 starts on home ice.
Gilmour has appeared in three straight games but will be sent to the press box on Saturday with Brandon Montour set to make his season debut.
Rodrigues appeared in the last three games but will come out of the lineup with Jimmy Vesey ready to return on Saturday. Rodrigues has just one assist in seven games this season, with that helper coming in his last game.
Vesey has missed the last three games but will play against the Islanders. Vesey will replace Evan Rodrigues on the Sabres' third-line and comes in with just two assists in 11 games this season.
Montour was held out of Friday's game, likely to avoid him playing two games in two nights, but he'll make his first appearance of the season on Saturday. Montour will replace John Gilmour in the lineup and is coming off of a season where he had 10 points (3G / 7A) in 20 games with the Sabres after being traded from Anaheim.
Price allowed one goal on 33 shots in the Canadiens win in Arizona on Wednesday. Keith Kinkaid got the nod on Thursday, so Price will likely start Saturday night in Dallas. Price has won four of his last five while posting an impressive 1.82 GAA, .935 SV% and one shutout. Price is playing very well but the Stars come in having won five of their last six, so they're hot as well.
Varlamov surrendered three goals on 31 shots in the Islanders win over the Flyers last Sunday. Thomas Greiss started last night so look for Varlamov to get the second game of their back-to-back in Buffalo. He comes into play on a four-game winning streak, posting a 1.96 GAA and .935 SV% in the process. He is a good option whenever the Islanders call on him.
Cave was recently recalled from Bakersfield (AHL) and will replace Riley Sheahan (undisclosed) on Saturday. Cave has no points in two games with Edmonton this season but has three assists in six AHL games.
Sheahan missed the final two periods of Wednesday's game in Columbus and will come out of the lineup on Saturday. Colby Cave was recalled from the AHL and will draw in on the fourth line.
Smith allowed one goal on 24 shots in the Oilers win in Columbus on Wednesday. The win was Smith's first since October 12th and pushed him to 4-3-1 with a 2.29 GAA and .919 SV% on the season. Smith has been great on the road, going 2-2-1 with a 1.38 GAA and .947 SV% in five games but has a tough matchup vs. a Penguins team that is hot and finally healthy.
Hutton allowed two goals on 44 shots in the Sabres loss to the Coyotes on Monday. Linus Ullmark started in Washington last night, so Hutton will face the Islanders on the tail-end of the back-to-back. Hutton has been outstanding in Buffalo, going 4-0-1 with a 2.13 GAA, .924 SV% and one shutout in five starts on home-ice.
Reimer stopped all seven shots that he faced in relief in his last appearance (Oct.18). Petr Mrazek has been used exclusively in the last five games but Reimer will be back in on the tail-end of a back-to-back. He is 2-2-0 with a 2.67 GAA and .918 SV% in five appearances and tonight he faces a Devils team that has lost three in a row.
Andersen allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Maple Leafs loss to the Capitals on Tuesday. Andersen was able to win six of his first 10 starts but he posted a forgettable .901 SV% in the month of October. Tonight will make his third road start of the season--he is 2-0-0 with a 1.50 GAA and .946 SV% in the first two outings.
Dubnyk stopped 24 of 26 shots in the Wild's loss in St. Louis on Wednesday. Dubnyk has put a tough start behind him, going 2-1-0 with a 2.14 GAA and .926 SV% in his last three outings. Goal support is going to be an issue all season but tonight he catches the Blues on a back-to-back with Jake Allen in the other crease this time.
Malkin has missed 11 games with a lower-body issue but will be back in his familiar second-line centre and PP1 role this afternoon. Malkin had one goal in two games before getting hurt.
Murray stopped 29 of 30 shots in the Penguins 7-1 blowout win over the Flyers on Tuesday. Murray has won two in a row while stopping 54 of 55 shots (.982 SV%) and has been victorious in six of his last seven with a 1.84 GAA and .933 SV%. Murray has played well and the Oilers have gone 2-3-1 while averaging 1.83 goals per game in their last six.
