Budaj turned aside 19 of 21 shots in the Kings’ win over the Blue Jackets on Tuesday. Don’t look now, but Budaj has won three in a row and has stopped 67 of the 75 shots (.893 SV%) that he’s faced in four appearances. Budaj won’t post great numbers, but he could rack up wins as long as the Kings continue to limit their opponents to 22 shots per game.
Driedger, 22, has gone 1-0-1with a 0.96 GAA and .961 SV% in two AHL starts this season. With Craig Anderson heading back Ottawa to deal with a personal matter, Driedger has been recalled to backup Andrew Hammond over the weekend.
Anderson is coming off of a shutout on Tuesday and was likely in line to start Saturday’s game, but has returned to Ottawa to deal with a personal matter. With Anderson back in Ottawa, look for Andrew Hammond to start over the weekend and Chris Driedger has been recalled from Binghamton (AHL).
Abdelkader took part in the Red Wings’ morning skate and will be a game-time decision on Thursday. Monitor Abdelkader’s status during pre-game warmups at 7:30pm ET. The American-born forward has one goal in five games this season.
Zalewski, 24, picked up one assist in five games with Utica before being recalled ahead of Friday’s game. Zalewski has two assists in five career NHL games.
Tanev will miss his second straight game when the Canucks take on the Oilers on Friday. With Tanev out, Troy Stecher will play for a second consecutive game.
Mrazek allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Red Wings’ 4-2 win over the Hurricanes on Tuesday. Mrazek has won his last three starts while posting a 2.00 GAA and .938 SV%. Mrazek draws a difficult matchup in St. Louis—the Blues have started 4-2-1 and Detroit has been outplayed in all three of their road games this season.
Dubnyk stopped all 27 shots that he faced in the Wild’s shutout win over the Bruins on Tuesday. Dubnyk has won three of his last four starts while posting a 1.75 GAA, .936 SV% and one shutout. Tonight Dubnyk draws a strong road matchup in Buffalo—the Sabres are banged up and come into the game at 1-2-2 while averaging 2.80 goals per game.
Elliott stopped 23 of 24 shots in the Flames’ win in St. Louis on Tuesday. After a rough start to his Flames’ career, Elliott has won two in a row while turning aside 54 of 57 shots (.947 SV%). Elliott has been brilliant this week, but draws a rough matchup vs. the Senators who are averaging 3.33 goals per game.
Schneider allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Devils’ win over the Coyotes on Tuesday. Keith Kinkaid got the nod last night, so Schneider will go tonight vs. the Lightning. Schneider comes into Saturday having won three of his last four while posting a 1.75 GAA and .942 SV%. He’ll be in tough against a Lightning team that has won five of their first seven.
Allen allowed four goals on 27 shots in the Blues’ win in Calgary last Saturday. The win snapped a brief two-game losing streak and now sits at 3-1-1 with a 2.39 GAA and .896 SV%. Allen draws a rough matchup vs. a Red Wings team that has won five in a row while averaging 3.80 goals per game over that stretch.
Halak allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Islanders win over the Coyotes last Friday. Thomas Greiss has started the last two games, so Halak will start tonight in Pittsburgh. Halak is 2-2-0 with a 2.77 GAA and .905 SV% in his first four starts and makes for a risky start against the 4-2-1 Penguins, who have Sidney Crosby back now.
Cory Schneider started the first six games of the season, but Kinkaid will start tonight vs. the Blackhawks. Kinkaid was 9-9-1 with a 2.81 GAA and .904 SV% last season and has a career .909 SV% in 43 NHL games. He’s a solid backup, but draws a less than appealing matchup tonight. The Blackhawks come in averaging 3.43 goals per game.
Lehtera has missed the last four games, but he has been activated from IR and will return to the Blues’ lineup on Thursday. Lehtera has no points and five shots on goal in three games this season. Expect him to be back on a line with Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz.
Hellebuyck allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Jets loss to the Oilers in the Heritage Classic. The Jets’ goalie rotation will continue and Hellebuyck will go tonight vs. the Stars. Hellebuyck has won once in three starts while posting a 3.40 GAA and .880 SV%. The Jets lost to the Stars with Hutchinson in net on Tuesday, so tread lightly with Hellebuyck.
Skinner missed Tuesday’s game in Detroit and remains questionable for Friday’s game vs. the Rangers. Monitor Skinner’s status during the Hurricanes’ morning skate.
Hellebuyck allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Jets loss to the Oilers in the Heritage Classic. It looks like the Jets’ goalie rotation will continue and Hellebuyck will go tonight vs. the Stars. Hellebuyck has won once in three starts while posting a 3.40 GAA and .880 SV%. The Jets lost to the Stars with Hutchinson in net on Tuesday, so tread lightly with Hellebuyck.
Letang was on the ice for the Penguins’ morning skate, but will miss his fourth straight game on Thursday. HIs availability for the morning skate is a good sign though and he could be ready to return on Saturday in Philadelphia.
Hunwick has one assist in six games, but will not play vs. the Panthers on Thursday. This might not be a bad thing for Toronto, because Hunwick is coming off a rough night vs. the Lightning. Consider him day-to-day.
Fleury allowed two goals on 22 shots in the Penguins’ win over the Panthers on Tuesday. Fleury has won four of his first seven starts while posting a 3.11 GAA and .904 SV%. Despite Matt Murray being back, it looks like Fleury will make his eighth consecutive start tonight vs. the Islanders. Fleury is an impressive 4-0-1 with a 2.36 GAA and .927 SV% on home ice.
