Varlamov stopped 32 of 33 shots in the Islanders win in Winnipeg last Thursday. Varlamov and Thomas Greiss have alternated starts this season and tonight is Varlamov's turn in the rotation. He has won two straight while stopping 67 of the last 70 shots (.957 SV%) that he has faced. Tonight he faces a Coyotes team that has won four straight while averaging an impressive 4.25 goals per game.
Hutton surrendered three goals on 28 shots in the Sabres win over the Sharks on Tuesday. The Sabres have been alternating between Hutton and Linus Ullmark but they'll start Hutton for the second straight game for the first time since the first two games of the season. He has been spectacular, posting a 1.65 GAA, .943 SV% and two shutouts in his first six starts of the season.
Butcher missed last Saturday's game vs. the Canucks but is set to play Friday vs. Arizona. The left-handed defenseman will likely replace Mirco Muller on the Devils' third pair.
Hischier has missed the last two games with an upper-body ailment but was a full participant in Thursday's practice and should play Friday. Hischier was on the first line when he got hurt but it looks like he will return on the third line with Nikita Gusev and Pavel Zacha on his wings.
Gaudette has been a healthy scratch for the last five games so the Canucks are returning him to Utica to get some playing time. The last time the 23-year-old was in the AHL, he had 11 points (5G / 6A) in 14 games in 2018-19.
Rask has missed the last two contests with a lower-body issue but is expected to replace Jordan Greenway (illness) in Nashville. Rask has one goal and one assist in three games this season.
Greenway travelled to Nashville for Thursday's game but woke up "not feeling well" which has led to speculation that he could be dealing with a concussion. Victor Rask will draw into the lineup for Greenway, who will have some time to recover before Minnesota's next game, which doesn't come until Sunday.
Bennett has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury but will be back on the third line on Thursday. Bennett has just one goal and one assist in nine games this season.
Samsonov allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Capitals win over the Maple Leafs on October 16th. Braden Holtby has started four straight but Samsonov gets the call in Game 2 of their western Canada back-to-back. Samsonov has been impressive in his first four outings, going 3-1-0 with a 1.84 GAA and .933 SV%. The Canucks come in hot, having won six of their last seven while averaging 3.86 goals per game.
Holtby allowed three goals on 35 shots in the Capitals win in Calgary on Tuesday. After a troubling start to the season, Holtby has rattled off three straight wins while stopping 99 of the 107 shots (.925 SV%) that he has faced. Tonight he faces an Oilers team that has been shutout in back-to-back games. Don't hesitate to start Holtby on the road.
Koskinen stopped 25 of 26 shots in the Oilers win over the Red Wings last Friday. Mike Smith has started the last two games but they will come back to Koskinen tonight vs. the Capitals. Koskinen has won each of his four starts while posting an impressive 2.21 GAA and .934 SV%. As well as he has played so far, the Capitals' No.3 ranked offence poses a stiff test for the big Finnish netminder.
Trocheck missed the Panthers morning skate in Calgary and is not expected to play. Trocheck remains day-to-day and that leaves Brian Boyle to centre the second line again.
Stillman picked up one assist in five games with Springfield to start the season but has been called up because Michael Matheson will miss at least 10 days with an undisclosed injury. Stillman will play in his second career NHL game on Tuesday.
Matheson was forced to leave Tuesday's game vs. the Penguins and is expected to miss at least 10 days with an undisclosed injury. Riley Stillman was called up from the AHL to replace Matheson on Thursday.
Wilson also missed Tuesday's morning skate but suited up in Calgary, where he scored for a second straight game. Wilson comes into Thursday's game with four goals and two assists (six points) in 11 games on the season.
Bobrovsky allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Panthers win over the Penguins on Tuesday. It was Bobrovsky's best outing in a Florida uniform thus far and moved him to 3-2-2 with a 3.75 GAA and .878 SV% on the season. Tonight he faces a Calgary team that has lost two of their last three while scoring just 2.00 goals per game.
Grubauer allowed three goals on 25 shots in Colorado’s loss in St. Louis on Monday. After a 4-0 start to the season, Grubauer has lost two of his last three starts while allowing a combined 10 goals on 101 shots (.901 SV%). He has a tough challenge ahead of him on Friday, a road matchup in Vegas. He is 2-1-1 with a 3.17 GAA and .902 SV% on the road so far.
Bobrovsky allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Panthers win over the Penguins on Tuesday. It was Bobrovsky's best outing in a Florida uniform thus far and moved him to 3-2-2 with a 3.75 GAA and .878 SV% on the season. Tonight he faces a Calgary team that has lost two of their last three while scoring just 2.00 goals per game.
Comtois was replaced by Devin Shore on Tuesday but Comtois will draw back into the lineup in Nashville. The rookie forward has just one assist in five games this season.
