Backes has missed the last three games with a concussion, but has practiced for a few days in a row, which is a good sign that he will be available tonight. However, he has to be medically cleared and is listed as a game-time decision. If Backes does play, expect him to skate on the second line with David Krejci and Ryan Spooner.
Dauphin, 21, has two goals and one assist in 20 games with the Coyotes this season. He has also logged 11 points (5G / 6A) in 10 games with the Roadrunners and could get back in the Coyotes’ lineup tonight with Jordan Martinook and Martin Hanzal getting hurt in last night’s game.
This afternoon Boyle will miss his third straight game and will miss his fourth tomorrow vs. the Penguins. He remains day-to-day so monitor his status next week.
Lehtonen allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Stars loss to the Canadiens on Wednesday. The loss snapped his personal three-game winning streak and it looks like he’ll start for the fifth time in six games tonight in St. Louis. Lehtonen is 5-7-2 with a 2.84 GAA and .894 SV% on the road and the Blues are a really strong home team.
Johnson allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Flames’ loss to the Ducks on December 29th. Brian Elliott struggled last night in Vancouver, so Johnson goes tonight vs. the Canucks on home-ice. Johnson has struggled in his last four starts, going 0-4-0 with a terrible 4.12 GAA and .862 SV%. He stopped 30 of 31 shots in a 2-1 shootout loss in his first start vs. Vancouver.
Neuvirth has been sidelined since November 12th and after backing up in his first game back, but Neuvirth will start vs. the Lightning this afternoon. Neuvirth struggled before the injury, going 4-2-0 with a 3.54 GAA and .859 SV%, but the Lightning come limping in having lost four of their last six while being outscored 22-14.
Condon allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Senators’ loss in Washington on New Year’s Day. Condon has lost three in a row while posting a 3.04 GAA and .889 SV% and tonight he faces the Capitals again. Condon is 4-1-3 with a 1.96 GAA and .932 SV% at the Canadian Tire Centre, but his matchup is rough and you should explore other options tonight.
Point has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury, but could return to the lineup this afternoon in Philadelphia. Point will take warmups and his decision will be made depending on how he feels.
Talbot allowed three goals on 36 shots in the Oilers’ win in Boston on Thursday. Talbot has lost three of his last five starts despite posting a strong 2.35 GAA and.926 SV%. Despite Jonas Gustavsson’s strong career numbers vs. the Devils, Talbot will start his 37th game tonight. He is 10-4-5 with a 2.59 GAA and .916 SV% on the road.
Coburn left Thursday’s game vs. the Predators with an undisclosed injury and will not play this afternoon in Philadelphia. With Coburn out, Andrej Sustr will be back in the Lightning lineup.
Hutton allowed one goal on nine shots after replacing Jake Allen in the Blues’ loss to the Predators on December 30th. Hutton has gone 3-1-2 with a 2.49 GAA and .907 SV% in six starts on home ice this season and tonight he faces a Stars team that ranks 18th in the NHL in scoring (2.56 GF/PG).
Vasilevskiy was shelled for five goals on 18 shots in the Lightning’s loss to the Predators on Thursday. Vasilevskiy has lost four of his last six starts while posting a brutal 3.62 GAA and .868 SV%. Vasilevskiy has struggled as the Lightning’s temporary No.1, but has gone 2-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA and .968 SV% in his first two starts against the Flyers.
Rask allowed four goals on 25 shots in the Bruins’ loss to the Oilers on Thursday. Rask has lost his first two starts of 2017 while allowing a combined six goals on 50 shots (.880 SV%). Despite his recent struggles, tonight he will face the Panthers for the fourth time this season—he has gone 3-0-0 with a 1.66 GAA and .947 SV% in their first three meetings.
Holtby stopped all 29 shots that he faced in the Capitals’ shutout win over the Blue Jackets on Thursday. Holtby put an abrupt stop to the Blue Jackets’ winning streak and will start again in Ottawa. Despite a terrible outing vs. the Maple Leafs, Holtby sits at 2-0-0 with a 1.71 GAA, .934 SV% and one shutout in his first three starts of the 2017 calendar year.
Tanev suffered an upper-body injury early in Friday’s game and will come out of the lineup tonight. Tanev will be replaced by Alex Biega and is listed as day-to-day.
Smith has missed the last two games with an abdomen injury, but will play tonight vs. the Capitals. Smith has picked up 15 points (8G / 7A) in 35 games this season.
Bjugstad suffered a lower-body injury early in last night’s game vs. the Predators. Bjugstad will miss at least one week after being placed on IR this morning. Expect Shawn Thornton to get back into the Panthers’ lineup with Bjugstad out.
Brittain, 24, has gone 15-5-0 with a 2.62 GAA and .911 SV% in 22 games in the ECHL. Brittain has been recalled to backup James Reimer after Roberto Luongo was injured in warmups last night.
Reimer stopped 28 of 29 shots in the Panthers’ win over the Predators last night. Roberto Luongo was scheduled to start, but was hurt in warmups. With Luongo out, Reimer will start again tonight vs. the Bruins. Reimer has gone 2-2-1 with a 2.37 GAA and .927 SV% on home ice this season—but he lost his first start vs. the Bruins.
