Schneider continues to work his way back from offseason hip surgery and will head to the AHL to get up to speed. Keith Kinkaid will continue to start for the Devils until Schneider is ready to return to the NHL.
Dubnyk allowed one goal on 32 shots in the Capitals win over the Coyotes on Tuesday. The veteran netminder has had a strong start to 2018-19, posting a 2.32 GAA and .940 SV% in his first five starts. Despite solid numbers, Dubnyk has a tough matchup against a Stars team that is 29-12-3 in their last 44 games on home-ice
Jones was originally expected to be out until early-to-mid November, but he is apparently ahead of schedule in his return from an MCL sprain. Monitor Jones’ status heading into next week.
Dillon Dube will be returning to the Flames lineup tonight, so Czarnik will take a seat for the first time this season. Czarnik has registered one goal and two assists (three points) this season.
Dube missed Wednesday’s game with an undisclosed injury, but will replace Austin Czarnik tonight vs. the Predators. Dube has recorded one assist while averaging 11:38 TOI/GM in his first five games.
Smith stopped 24 of 26 shots in the Flames win over the Bruins on Wednesday. Smith has won three of his last four starts while stopping 102 of 113 shots (.903 SV%). In his first start against the Predators, Smith stopped all 43 shots that he faced in a 3-0 shutout win.
Radulov missed Thursday's practice but was on the ice for Friday's morning skate. Despite participating this morning, Radulov is still considered a game-time decision and looks closer to doubtful. Brett Ritche is expected to skate on the top line if Radulov does not play.
Lehner stopped 28 of 30 shots before being forced to leave last night’s win in Los Angeles. Lehner left the game after getting hit in the mask and head coach Barry Trotz did not have an update on his goaltender postgame. Consider Lehner as questionable for Saturday’s game, meaning Thomas Greiss will likely get the start.
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.
