Schenn missed Tuesday’s game with an upper-body injury, but was on the ice for practice on Thursday and indicated after that he expects the be back in the lineup Friday in Columbus. With Schenn likely returning, Carlo Colaiacovo is expected to sit.
Nemeth, who has been sidelined since October 18th with a deep arm laceration, is expected to be returned to Texas (AHL) in a week or so to return to action. Nemeth could have a difficult time returning to top-form and climbing his way back to the Stars roster in 2014-15.
Smith has been out since December 13th with a dislocated wrist. Thursday was the first time he skated since the injury, but is still considered a long ways from returning to the Senators lineup.
Varlamov gave up five goals on 29 shots in the Avs’ loss to the Jets on Sunday. Varlamov has lost three in a row while posting a 2.47 GAA and a .918 SV%. In his first start against the Rangers, he allowed three goals on 33 in a 4-3 shootout loss back in November.
Pavelec gave up three goals on 28 shots in the Jets win over the Avalanche on Sunday. Since the All Star break, Pav is 1-1-1 with a 3.12 GAA and .894 SV%. Tonight he will make his fourth start against the Predators, having gone 1-2-0 with a 1.71 GAA and .938 SV% in the first three meetings.
Rinne stopped 30 of 32 shots in the Predators 3-2 win over the Lightning on Tuesday. After struggling in his return vs. Anaheim, Rinne has won won two in a row while stopped 60 of 64 shots (.938 SV%) since. Tonight he will face a new-look Jets team at home—Rinne is 19-3-1 with a 1.94 GAA and .928 SV% at home this season.
Howard stopped all four shots that he faced in the bird period after replacing Petr Mrazek on Wednesday in Pittsburgh. He missed four weeks with a groin injury, but will make his first start since January 10th tonight vs. the Jets. Howie is 16-7-7 with a 2.09 GAA and .920 SV% on the season.
Quick allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Kings 4-3 win over the Blue Jackets on Monday. After losing three in a row, Quick has bounced back with two-straight wins on the road. He returns to the STAPLES Center, where he is 14-5-5 this season. In his first three starts against the Flames, Quick is 0-1-2 with a 2.57 GAA and .879 SV%.
Crawford gave up five goals on 36 shots in the Blackhawks 5-4 OT loss to the Canucks on Wednesday. The loss moved him to 2-1-1 with a 2.72 GAA and .913 SV% in four start in February. Those are not great numbers, but he still makes for a great start tonight with New Jersey and their 28th ranked offence (2.20 G/PG) in town.
Hiller made 33 saves on 34 shots in the Flames 4-1 win over the Sharks on Monday. It was a good start to the California road trip for Hiller, who will start tonight in Los Angeles. He has won four of his last five games and will face the Kings for the third time this season—he is 2-0-0 with a 1.95 GAA and .934 SV% in the first two meetings.
Greiss allowed five goals on 27 shots in the Penguins loss in Vancouver last Saturday. With Marc-Andre Fleury starting last night, it will be Greiss will go tonight in Ottawa. Greiss has gone 3-2-3 with a 2.81 GAA and .911 SV% in eight starts on the road this season.
Moen has missed the last five games with a lower-body injury, but will play on Friday. With Moen returning, the Stars sent Brett Ritchie back to Texas (AHL) on Thursday.
Seguin missed Tuesday’s morning skate, but played later that night and same will go with missing practice today and playing on Friday. Seguin has one goal and five assists in his last six games.
Summers has three assists in 17 games with the Coyotes this season. He will head back to Portland where he has nine points (2G / 7A) in 48 games.
Gormley, 22, has three points (2G / 1A) in 15 games with the Coyotes this season. While in Portland he has collected three goals and four assists (7 points) in 16 games. He is not expected to be in the lineup on Thursday.
Martinook, 22, was the Coyotes second round pick (58th overall) in 2012. He has 11 goals and 17 assists (28 points) in 44 games with Portland this season. He has not recorded a point in two NHL games.
Folin has been a healthy scratch in each of the last six games, so he will head to Iowa to get some playing time.
Carter was in Canada on Wednesday for his grandfather’s funeral, but he has back in Los Angeles on Thursday and will be in the lineup tonight vs. the Flames. Carter is coming off of a two-point (1G / 1A) effort on Monday in Columbus.
Pirri will likely miss the next 7-10 games as the Panthers get set for a busy two weeks without him. Scottie Upshall will be back in the lineup for Pirri on Thursday.
Luongo allowed two goals on 33 shots in the Panthers 6-2 win over the Ducks on Tuesday. He has gone 2-1-1 with a 2.70 GAA and .913 SV% in four starts in February. Tonight he will face the Wild for the second time this season—in the first meeting he made 35 saves, but lost 4-1.
