Frolik is expected to return to the Flames lineup on Saturday, which would be his first game since November 19th. Frolik, how has seven goals in 20 games this season, will skate on the third line with Mark Jankowski and James Neal.
Kovalchuk will return to the lineup a little earlier than expected and will look to rediscover his early-season form. Kovalchuk will have no minute cap in his return to the lineup and will try to snap an 11-game pointless streak.
Brossoit gave up three goals on 37 shots in the Jets win in Chicago on December 14th. Brossoit has allowed at least three goals in four straight games but has won each of those games. The 25-year-old backup has gone 4-1-0 with a 2.67 GAA and .912 SV% on the road this year.
Varlamov was slated to start Saturday's game in Arizona but will not be available due to an illness. With Varlamov sick, Philipp Grubauer will get the start and Pavel Francouz was called up to be the backup.
Grubauer allowed two goals on 28 shots in Colorado’s surprising loss to the Blackhawks last night. Semyon Varlamov was supposed to start tonight but he is sick, so look for Grubauer to go for the second night a row and the third time in four days. In his first start against the Coyotes, Grubauer stopped 37 of 38 shots in a 5-1 win (Nov.23).
Francouz is in his first season in the AHL after spending three full seasons in the Czech Republic and three more in the KHL. The 28-year-old netminder has gone 13-5-1 with a 2.61 GAA and .921 SV% in 21 AHL games. Francouz likely won’t even dress on Saturday.
Greer has not recorded a point in four games with the Avalanche but has been great in the AHL. The 22-year-old, former second-round pick has nine goals and 12 assists (21 points) in 21 games with he Eagles.
Jones allowed four goals on 24 shots in the Sharks loss to the Jets on Thursday. Jones has been inconsistent this season but is 5-3-0 with a 2.57 GAA, .911 SV% and one shutout in December. Tonight he faces the Kings for the second time this season—he stopped 19 of 21 shots in a 3-2 overtime win in Los Angeles back on October 5th.
Fleury allowed two goals on 21 shots in the Golden Knights win over the Islanders on Thursday. Fleury has won two in a row and four of his last five starts. Fleury has gone 11-3-1 with a 1.99 GAA, .927 SV% and four shutouts in 15 games in Vegas this season. He is a must-start whenever the Golden Knights are on home-ice.
Price allowed one goal on 37 shots in the Canadiens win in Arizona on Thursday. Price stopped 60 of 63 shots (.952 SV%) in back-to-back starts on Wednesday/Thursday and will start for the third time in four days today. Price is 7-3-0 with a 2.36 GAA and .919 SV% in December but draws a brutal matchup in Vegas.
Dries has split his campaign between the NHL and AHL. During his time with the Avalanche, Dries has four points (2G / 2A) in 16 games. Dries could be back in the lineup on Saturday with Colin Wilson going on IR.
Wilson suffered a shoulder injury vs. the Blackhawks on Friday and is expected to miss multiple weeks. His movement IR is a formality to open up a roster spot. Sheldon Dries, A.J. Greer and Pavel Francouz has been recalled from Colorado (AHL).
Schlemko has been in the lineup for the last three games but is banged up and won’t play on Saturday. Brett Kulak will replace him on the Canadiens’ blueline.
Kulak has been a healthy scratch for the last two games but will replace David Schlemko on Saturday. Kulak has just one assist in 12 games this season but is a solid daily fantasy punt—he averaging 2.1 shots per game and 0.8 blocked shots.
Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 38 shots in the Lightning’s win in Vegas on Tuesday. Vasilevskiy was given Thursday night off but will be back in net tonight in Edmonton. Since returning from injury, Vasilevskiy has stopped 121 of 129 shots (.938 SV%), picking up right where he left off. Vasilevskiy is a must-start whenever he gets the nod.
Markstrom stopped 29 of 30 shots in the Canucks win over the Blues on Thursday. Markstrom has been red-hot as of late—since December 5th, Markstrom leads the NHL in wins (6-0-0), third in GAA (1.67) and SV% (.942). Markstrom has been impressive but allowed five goals, albeit on 48 shots, in a 6-3 loss in their first meeting of the season.
Howard allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Red Wings loss to the Senators on December 14th. He missed a start earlier in the week with a sore back but backed up Jonathan Bernier on Thursday. Howard has gone 7-4-3 with a 2.60 GAA and .925 SV% on home-ice this season and is 1-0-0 vs. the Panthers so far.
Boychuk missed Saturday’s practice to be with his wife for the birth of their son and the Islanders are unsure whether or not he will travel to Dallas. Devon Toews will replace Boychuk if doesn’t play.
Koskinen allowed three goals on 29 shots in the Oilers loss in Vancouver last Sunday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Koskinen, who comes into Saturday’s game at 7-0-0 with a 0.92 GAA, .970 SV% and three shutouts on home-ice this season. Despite his undefeated record at Rogers Place, Koskinen draws a tough matchup with the Lightning in town.
