The Bruins have clinched home-ice advantage in the first-round of the playoffs so they will sit four key players to give them some rest. Chara will be joined by David Krejci, Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy.
Grubauer allowed two goals on 27 shots in Colorado’s loss in St. Louis on Monday. Grubauer was giving the next night off but will be back in the crease tonight vs. the Jets. Grubauer has played exceptionally as of late but struggled in his first game vs. Winnipeg—allowing six goals on 20 shots in a 7-4 loss.
Markstrom allowed two goals on 40 shots in the Canucks win over the Stars on Saturday. Markstrom has won three of his last five starts despite posting a 3.13 GAA and .904 SV%. In his only start against the Predators, Markstrom allowed three goals on 29 shots in a 5-3 win (Dec.6).
Stolarz allowed one goal on 17 shots after coming in in relief in the Oilers 5-1 loss to the Ducks on March 30th. Since joining the Oilers, Stolarz has gone 0-1-0 with a 4.00 GAA and .898 SV% in one start and four relief appearances. The Sharks have lost nine of their last 10 (1-8-1) but remain a very difficult test for Stolarz this evening.
Boedker has been scratched for the last two games but will replace Bobby Ryan (undisclosed) in the lineup on Thursday. Boedker has just six goals and 27 assists (33 points) in 69 games this season.
Ryan was hit by a Thomas Chabot shot last night and will not be available for tonight’s game in Buffalo. Mikkel Boedker will replace him in the lineup.
Greiss allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Islanders loss in Columbus on March 26th. Robin Lehner has started the last three games but it looks like Greiss will start the second last game of the Islanders’ season. Greiss has lost three of his last four starts while posting a 3.21 GAA and .900 SV%.
Vasilevskiy stopped 22 of 24 shots in the Lightning’s win in Ottawa on Monday. Ed Pasquale started Tuesday so they will come back to Vasilevskiy tonight on Toronto. Vasilevskiy has gone 2-1-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .944 SV% in three starts against the Maple Leafs this season.
Rinne allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Predators win in Buffalo on Tuesday. Rinne has won his last two starts while stopping 68 of the last 71 shots (.958 SV%) that he has faced. Surprisingly, Rinne has struggled vs. the Canucks this season, going 1-1-0 with a 4.10 GAA and .851 SV% in two games.
Parise, who just returned from an injury, will now likely be shutdown for the season with the flu. Nico Sturm is expected to make his NHL debut on Thursday to replace Parise.
Vasilevskiy stopped 22 of 24 shots in the Lightning’s win in Ottawa on Monday. Ed Pasquale started Tuesday so they will come back to Vasilevskiy tonight on Toronto. Vasilevskiy has gone 2-1-0 with a 2.02 GAA and .944 SV% in three starts against the Maple Leafs this season.
Nylander has a cut on his leg that requires stitches so he will not be available for tonight’s game vs. the Senators. Scott Wilson is expected to draw into the lineup to replace him.
Letang has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury but could be back Thursday vs. the Red Wings. Letang has missed a lot of time lately but had a point in each of the three games he played in between his two injuries, giving him 16 goals and 40 assists (56 points) in 63 games this season.
Stalock allowed three goals on 20 shots in the Wild’s loss to the Islanders on March 17th. Stalock has not registered a win since January 15th, going 0-2-3 with a 3.87 GAA and .877 SV% in his last six appearances (five starts). In his first start vs. the Bruins, Stalock allowed four goals on 27 shots in a 4-0 loss.
Muzzin continues to battle an illness and will miss his second straight game on Thursday. Luckily for the Maple Leafs, Jake Gardiner will make his return from a back injury and will step into Muzzin’s spot on the second pairing.
Kadri was not at the Maple Leafs morning skate and head coach Mike Babcock said the centre would not be available vs. the Lightning. Babcock added that there may be a press release regarding Kadri’s injury, which suggests he could miss some time. This would obviously be a huge loss heading into the playoffs if that is the case but we update any further information as it is provided.
Gardiner has been out since February 25th but is expected to return tonight vs. the Lightning. Gardiner told reporters that he elected not to have surgery on his injured back which allowed him to return right before the playoffs. Gardiner was on-pace for a 40-plus point season before getting hurt, tallying two goals and 27 assists (29 points) in 60 games.
Price allowed two goals on 24 shots in the Canadiens win over the Lightning on Tuesday. Price has won three of his last four starts while allowing 11 goals on 113 shots (.902 SV%). The Canadiens will obviously stick with Price down the stretch as they try to leap-frog the Penguins, Hurricanes or Blue Jackets for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Hutton allowed three goals on 35 shots in the Sabres loss to the Predators on Tuesday. Hutton has lost five in a row (0-5-0) while posting an ugly 4.24 GAA and .891 SV%. Despite a few rough weeks, Hutton has a nice matchup tonight—the Senators are on the tail-end of a back-to-back with a goalie who is making his NHL debut.
Murray allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Penguins 4-1 loss in Detroit on Tuesday. It was a disappointing loss for Murray, who will will get another crack at the Red Wings tonight on home-ice. Murray has gone 12-10-1 with a 3.19 GAA, .905 SV% and two shutouts in 23 games in Pittsburgh this season.
