Hellebuyck allowed one goal on 29 shots in the Jets’ win over the Hurricanes last Saturday. The Jets inexplicably went to Steve Mason on Tuesday and he lost yet again, so they’ll come back to Hellebuyck tonight. He has won three straight starts while turning aside 95 of 100 shots (.950 SV%). He’ll face a Wild team that is extremely banged up.
Bishop stopped 27 of 28 shots in the Stars’ win over the Coyotes on Tuesday. Bishop has been excellent in his first five starts, going 3-1-0 with a 1.49 GAA and .944 SV% with his new team. He is a must-start again tonight as he faces Adin Hill and the Coyotes for the second straight game.
Smith allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Flames win in Vancouver last Saturday. Smith’s Flames career has gotten off to a great start—he has won four of his six starts while posting a 2.59 GAA and .929 SV%. Tonight he will make his seventh consecutive start and will take on a Carolina team that is 21st in scoring (2.75 GF/PG) through just four games.
Anderson allowed three goals on 24 shots in the Senators’ loss to the Canucks on Tuesday. Anderson has had a strong start to the season, going 2-1-2 with a 1.91 GAA, .926 SV% and one shutout in his first five starts. Tonight he takes on a New Jersey team that is surprisingly sitting at 5-1-0 while ranking third in the league in goals (4.17 GF/PG).
Allen allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Blues loss in Tampa Bay on Saturday. After opening the season 3-0-0, Allen has won his last two starts while allowing a combined seven goals on 65 shots (.892 SV%). He will be in tough tonight vs. the Blackhawks—they are 4-1-1 while averaging 4.17 goals for per game so far.
Borgman has appeared in four games this season but was a healthy scratch in Washington last night. Borgman is expected to replace Calle Rosen and comes in with one assist this season.
Fehr has been in and out of the lineup, swapping places with Dominic Moore. Fehr has not recorded a point in three games and has no fantasy value.
Halak allowed three goals on 27 shots in the Islanders’ 3-2 loss in Los Angeles on Sunday. Despite losing his last two starts while stopping 51 of 57 shots (.895 SV%), Halak will get the nod tonight in New York. In two starts against the Rangers last season, Halak was 1-1-0 while stopping 70 of 76 shots (.921 SV%).
Howard allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Red Wings’ loss to Tampa Bay on Monday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak to start the season for Howard, who will go again tonight in Toronto. Howie has a 1.97 GAA and .942 SV% in his four appearances this season, but will be in tough vs. the high-scoring Maple Leafs tonight.
Cehlarik, 22, has registered five points (2G / 3A) in three games with Providence this season. He appeared in 11 games with the Bruins last season, recording just two assists. Cehlarik could draw into the lineup for his season debut tomorrow.
Agostino has been an excellent AHL producer over the years, but has not really been given a chance in the NHL since being drafted in the fifth round in 2010. Agostino had 83 points (24G / 59A) in 65 games with the Chicago Wolves last season and picked up seven points (2G / 5A) in three games with Providence this season.
Ahead of Thursday’s game vs. the Canucks, Rask had to be helped off of the ice after getting bowled over by Bjork. This is not good news for the Bruins, but if Rask misses any time look for Anton Khudobin to start tomorrow.
Steen missed the first six games of the season with a hand injury that he suffered in the preseason, but will draw into the Blues lineup tonight vs. the Blackhawks. Steen’s return is expected to bump Samuel Blais from the lineup and he should skate with Paul Stastny and Vladimir Tarasenko.
Rinne allowed two goals on 35 shots in the Predators 2-1 overtime loss in Chicago on Saturday. The win snapped a brief two-game winning streak for Rinne, who has a 2.77 GAA and .913 SV% in four appearances this season. He should make for a strong start tonight, despite the Avs’ hot start (3.17 GF/PG).
Jacob Markstrom has started the first four games of the season, but it looks like Nilsson will make his season debut tonight in Ottawa. Nilsson was 10-10-4 with a 2.67 GAA and .923 SV% in 26 appearances with the Sabres. He will see a Senators team that ranks seventh in the NHL in scoring (3.80 GF/PG) and will get Erik Karlsson back in the lineup tonight.
Budaj split last season between the Kings and Lightning. He started a whopping 51 games with the Kings because of a Jonathan Quick injury and appeared in seven contests with the Lightning following a mid-season trade. Overall, he was a 30-game winner while posting a 2.18 GAA, .915 SV% and seven shutouts. Don’t expect him to replicate those numbers, but he is a solid spot-start option on most nights.
Okposo missed the last two games with an illness, but will draw back into the lineup tonight in Vegas. Okposo has gotten off to a really slow start to the season, failing to record a point in six games—he has a minus-6 rating, four PIMS and 11 shots on goal. Tonight he will play on the second line with Ryan O’Reilly at centre and Sam Reinhart at left wing. He will also see time on the top power-play unit with Jack Eichel.
Lundqvist allowed two goals on 42 shots in the Rangers’ loss in Columbus on Friday. Ondrej Pavelec gave him the night off on Saturday, so look for Lundqvist to go tonight vs. the Penguins. King Henrik and the Rangers have had a slow start—he comes in at 1-3-0 with a 2.82 GAA and .914 SV% in his first five games.
