Lemieux served his two game suspension but has served as a healthy scratch for the last five games. Tonight he replaces Andrew Copp, who is out with a concussion. Lemieux has no points, six shots and 27 PIMS in nine games this season.
Brossoit allowed two goals on 16 shots after replacing Connor Hellebuyck in the Jets loss in Calgary on Wednesday. On the season, Brossoit has gone 3-1-1 with a 1.65 GAA and .951 SV%. With Hellebuyck starting last night, they’ll turn to Brossoit for his fifth start of the campaign. He faces a Blues team that has lost five of their last seven games.
Petersen allowed six goals on 31 shots in the Kings loss to the Avalanche on Wednesday. It was the first bad performance of Petersen’s young career. So far the has a 2.75 GAA and .922 SV% in four starts and one relief appearance. Even when he’s playing well, wins are going to be difficult to come by while the Kings rank last in the NHL in scoring.
Comtois had seven points (2G / 5A) in 10 games with the Ducks before heading to the AHL for a conditioning stint. The 19-year-old had one assist in four games with San Diego, but heads back to the QMJHL where ehe had 85 points (44G / 41A) in 54 games with Victoriaville last year.
Varlamov allowed three goals on 36 shots in Colorado’s win in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Philipp Grubauer started last night, so Varlamov will go tonight vs. the Stars. The 30-year-old has won three straight and comes into Saturday at 3-2-1 with 2.18 GAA and .927 SV% on home-ice this season.
Hanley has been in the lineup for seven straight games, but will be replaced by Julius Honka on Saturday. Hanley has no points this season.
Honka has been out of the lineup for the last two games, but will replace Joel Hanley in Colorado. Honka is known as an offensive-defenseman, but has just three assists and 25 shots while averaging 14:18 TOI/gm in 18 games this season.
Khudobin allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Stars win over the Senators on Friday. With Ben Bishop still out, Khudobin will start his third straight game. He has struggled in the previous two, allowing a combined nine goals on 49 shots (.816 SV%). You add in a matchup vs. an Avalanche team that is first in goal-scoring (3.77 GF/pg) and you should leave Khudobin on the bench.
Hutchinson has been called-up because Roberto Luongo was hurt in Friday’s game and is not expected to be available on Saturday. Hutchinson projects to serve as James Reimer’s backup this evening.
Puljujarvi struggled with the Oilers earlier in the year, scoring just one goal in 11 games before being sent down. Since going to the Condors, Puljujarvi registered two goals and two assists in four games.
Fritz has picked up 10 points (2G / 8A) in 17 games with Bridgeport this season. He could draw into the Islanders lineup for his third game of the season on Saturday.
Dal Colle got into the lineup for just two games during his call-up and returns to Bridgeport with Tanner Fritz coming the other way. Dal Colle has 14 points (7G / 7A) in 14 games with Bridgeport.
Siegenthaler has been a healthy scratch for the last two games, but will play in his third career NHL game on Saturday. Siegenthaler has no points while averaging 11:37 TOI/gm in his first two.
Bowey will come out of the lineup on the back-to-back to allow Jonas Siegenthaler to get into a game. Bowey has just three assists in 15 games this season.
Fleury stopped all 29 shots that he faced in the Golden Knights shutout win over the Flames last night. Having posted a shutout and won three in a row, the Golden Knights will stick with Fleury tonight with the Sharks in town. The 33-year-old is 6-3-1 with a 1.98 GAA, .927 SV% and three shutouts on home-ice.
Carrick leads all Charlotte defensemen with 17 points (3G / 14A) in 19 games this season. Carrick has put up impressive numbers at lower-levels but has appeared in just three career NHL games since being drafted in 2012.
Pesce has been out since November 10th and was moved to IR to open up a roster spot to call-up Trevor Carrick. Pesce remains day-ro-day, so it’s unclear when he’ll be back on the Hurricanes blueline.
DeAngelo has been one of the Rangers best defensemen at times this season, but comes out of the lineup as a healthy scratch frequently. Overall, he has totalled eight points (2G / 6A) in 15 games this season.
Smith has been a healthy scratch for the last two games, but will replace Tony DeAngelo in the lineup on Saturday. Smith has just two goals and three assists (five points) in 18 games this season.
