Jaskin has failed to record a point while averaging just 9:29 TOI/GM in his first three games with the Capitals. With Jaskin back in, Nathan Walker is expected to be a healthy scratch.
Holtby allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Capitals overtime win vs. the Rangers on Wednesday. Holtby has won three of his first five starts while posting a 3.18 GAA, .898 SV% and one shutout. The Panthers are currently averaging the sixth most shots for (34.0) per game, but tied for 19th in goals (3.00 GF/PG).
Plekanec has recorded one goal while averaging just 10:52 TOI/GM in three games this season, but will come out of the lineup on Saturday due to a lower-back ailment. Andrew Shaw may return from an illness in Plekanec’s spot on the fourth line.
Vesalainen recorded just one assist while averaging 6:50 TOI/GM in five games with the Jets before being a healthy scratch in the last two games. The former No.24 overall pick will look to hone his skills at the AHL level, leaving Brendan Lemieux to skate on Winnipeg’g fourth line.
Quick allowed three goals on 33 shots in the Kings loss to the Sharks on opening night. Quick has been on IR with a lower-body injury ever since, but it looks like he’ll be back between the pipes tonight. Quick returns in a matchup with an Islanders team that is 25th in the NHL in goals, averaging just 2.40 per game through five games.
Nichushkin will miss his second straight game with an undisclosed injury. Head coach Jim Montgomery said that Nichushkin is still fighting the injury, but it sounds like he is no more than day-to-day.
Radulov missed Thursday’s practice, but will play Friday vs. the Wild. Radulov has had a strong start to the season, collecting 10 points (4G / 6A) in his first six contests, while skating primarily on the top line with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn.
Mazanec has gone 2-2-0 with a 3.53 GAA and .859 SV% in four games with Hartford this season. He has swapped places with Alexandar Georgiev, so Georgiev can get some games in while the Rangers are off.
Georgiev has not started since October 7th and the Rangers are off until Saturday, so he’ll go to Hartford to get some work in. The 22-year-old was 14-13-2 with a 2.98 GAA and .909 SV% in 37 games with the Wolf Pack last season.
Raanta gave up three goals on 23 shots in the Coyotes loss to the Sabres on Tuesday. Raanta has played great, posting a 2.22 GAA and .903 SV% in four starts, but the Coyotes offence has been shutout in three of those four games. Wins may be hard to come by for Raanta, but his splits should be right up there with the league’s best.
Hutton allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Sabres loss in Vegas on Tuesday. Hutton has struggled in his last two starts, allowing a combined nine goals on 58 shots (.845 SV%). Tonight he faces a Sharks team that has been slow out of the gate, but has a ton of talent up and down the lineup.
Dylan Gambrell skated in Hertl’s spot on the second line during the morning skate, but Hertl will play vs. the Sabres. Hertl has two goals and one assist (three points) in six games this season.
Bjork has one goal and one assist while averaging 12:09 TOI/GM this season, but will be replaced by Danton Heinen in the lineup on Thursday.
Heinen has been a healthy scratch for the last two games, but will draw back in on Thursday. Heinen has no points while averaging 12:47 TOI/GM in his first four games. He will replace Anders Bjork in the lineup and skate with David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk.
Anderson stopped 37 of 38 shots in the Hurricanes win over the Stars on Monday. Anderson had a slow start to the season, but has now won two in a row while stopping 73 of 75 shots (.973 SV%). Anderson was 1-1-0 with a 3.60 GAA, .860 SV% and one shutout vs. Montreal last season.
Bishop gave up three goals on 23 shots in the Stars loss in Ottawa on Monday. Anton Khudobin started on Tuesday, so they’ll come back to Bishop tonight vs. the Wild. Bishop is 2-1-0 with a 2.34 GAA, .924 SV% and one shutout in his first three starts in Dallas this season and the Wild are 26th in the NHL in scoring (2.33 GF/PG) so far.
Hutchinson allowed one goal on 11 shots after replacing James Reimer in last night’s shootout win in Washington. Entering last night’s game is not expected to affect Hutchinson’s start on Saturday. The Red Wings have not won a game this season, so Hutchinson makes for a solid start this evening.
Reimer allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Panthers loss to the Canucks last Saturday. Reimer has struggled since taking over for Roberto Luongo, allowing a combined eight goals on 62 shots (.871 SV%) in his first two starts. Things don’t get any easier tonight. Washington is tied for second in the NHL in goal-scoring (4.00 GF/PG) through six games.
