Barkov left Wednesday’s game against the Maple Leafs with an undisclosed injury and missed Thursday’s contest vs. the Canadiens. The Panthers have moved him to IR and head coach Tom Rowe said that Barkov is expected to miss 2-3 weeks.
The Islanders came into 2016-17 with three goalies on the roster and after a superb performance at the World Cup of hockey, Halak struggled in the Isles’ crease. The 31-year-old made 20 starts and went 6-8-5 with a 3.23 GAA and .904 SV%. It was a big drop-off from his numbers over the last two seasons in Brooklyn and has landed him on waivers. A team in-need of help in net like Ottawa or Los Angeles may claim him, but his $4.5M cap-hit may scare some teams off. We could see Halak heading to Bridgeport (AHL) at this time tomorrow.
Dano left Thursday’s game with a lower-body injury and did not return. Head coach Paul Maurice said post-game that Dano will undergo tests on Friday but isn’t optimistic. Dano will likely miss some time and if that’s the case expect them to recall a forward before Saturday’s game.
Backes played 3:10 TOI before he left yesterday’s game in Buffalo. The Bruins did not have any update on Backes’ status post-game, so expect an update prior to tomorrow’s game vs. the Sabres. If he can’t play,, expect Jimmy Hayes to draw into the lineup.
Hamilton missed Thursday’s game with an illness and is considered questionable for Saturday’s game vs. the Coyotes. Hamilton was a late scratch yesterday, but you should get a good idea if he is playing during Saturday’s morning skate.
Neal played 7:48 TOI before leaving Thursday’s game with an upper-body injury and not returning. With the Predators back in action on Friday, Neal should be considered questionable. Monitor his status prior to their game in St. Louis.
Carrier played just 1:23 TOI before retiring to the dressing room following a fight with Adam McQuaid. The Sabres have recalled Justin Bailey this morning, which suggests that Carrier will not be available for Saturday’s game vs. the Bruins.
Bailey, 21, has no points in two games with the Sabres, but has scored 13 goals with nine assists (22 points) in 31 AHL contests. Will Carrier was hurt on Thursday, so Bailey has been recalled and will likely draw into the lineup on Saturday.
Allen allowed four goals on 31 shots in the Blues’ loss in Tampa Bay before the Christmas break. Allen sat out of Wednesday’s game, but will start tonight vs. the Predators. Allen has been dominant on home-ice, going 11-1-2 with a 2.04 GAA and .934 SV% in his first 14 starts at the Scottrade Center. He is also 1-1-0 with a 3.26 GAA and. 906 against the Predators.
Ward allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Hurricanes’ loss in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Ward, who will make his 29th start tonight vs. the Blackhawks. He is 5-2-3 with a 2.23 GAA and .919 SV% in December, but will be in tough against a good Chicago team.
Rinne allowed three goals on 39 shots in the Predators’ loss to the Wild on Tuesday. Rinne has lost two in a row while allowing a combined seven goals on 65 shots (.892 SV%). He draws a tough matchup vs. Chicago, but he is 9-3-3 at home and stopped 22 of 24 shots in a 3-2 win in his first start vs. the Blackhawks.
Rask allowed four goals on 22 shots in the Bruins’ loss in Columbus on Tuesday. It was a tough outing against the NHL’s top team, but expect him to get a chance to redeem himself tonight in Buffalo. Rask is 2-0-0 with a 0.50 GAA and .985 SV% in his first two starts against Buffalo.
Bobrovsky allowed three goals on 40 shots in the Blue Jackets’ win over the Bruins on Tuesday. That’s 11 straight wins for Bobrovsky, who has posted a 1.55 GAA and .944 SV% over that stretch. He has been ridiculous all season, only losing five of his 29 games in regulation and comes into tonight with a 9-2-2 with a 1.87 GAA and .931 SV% on the road this season.
Bibeau allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Maple Leafs loss to Colorado on December 11th. Bibeau was supposed to get a start before the Christmas break, but it never happened, but Mike Babcock will stick to his guns tonight and start Bibeau tonight in Tampa Bay. Bibeau has gone 7-7-1 with a 2.46 GAA and .908 SV% in 16 starts with the Marlies this season.
Lehtonen allowed two goals on 37 shots in the Stars’ win in Arizona on Tuesday. Lehtonen has won two in a row while allowing a combined four goals on 68 shots (.941 SV%). Tonight will be his fourth appearance of the season against Colorado—the 33-year-old has gone 2-1-0 with a 1.18 GAA and .958 SV% in the first three meetings.
Rask allowed four goals on 22 shots in the Bruins’ loss in Columbus on Tuesday. It was a tough outing against the NHL’s top team, but expect him to get a chance to redeem himself tonight in Buffalo. Rask is 2-0-0 with a 0.50 GAA and .985 SV% in his first two starts against Buffalo.
Rinne allowed three goals on 39 shots in the Predators’ loss to the Wild on Tuesday. Rinne has lost two in a row while allowing a combined seven goals on 65 shots (.892 SV%). He draws a tough matchup vs. Chicago, but he is 9-3-3 at home and stopped 22 of 24 shots in a 3-2 win in his first start vs. the Blackhawks.
Bortuzzo has appeared in 64 games with the Blues over the last three seasons, collecting just four goals and three assists. Bortuzzo has never been known for his offensive production, picking just 27 points (8G / 19A) in 177 career NHL games.
Gibson allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Ducks’ loss to San Jose on Tuesday. Despite losing two in a row, Gibson will start his third straight tonight in Calgary. Gibson has dropped three of his last four starts and comes into play tonight is 4-2-3 record, 2.85 GAA and .895 SV% in eight starts and one relief appearance in December.
