Okposo left Thursday’s game after playing just 4:00 TOI following a heavy collision and was later diagnosed with a concussion. Justin Bailey was recalled from Rochester (AHL) on Friday and will replace Okposo in the lineup this afternoon.
Lehner allowed three goals on 40 shots in the Sabres win in Ottawa on Thursday. In his last four appearances, Lehner has allowed 12 goals on 124 shots (.903 SV%). The 26-year-old is an ugly 6-12-3 on home-ice this season and draws a terrible matchup this afternoon with the 43-19-5 Golden Knights in town.
Vatrano has been sidelined since February 6th with a lower-body injury, but it looks like he’ll play tonight vs. the Rangers. Vatrano appeared to have a bright future in Boston but was passed on the depth chart by players like Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen. He will make his Panthers debut with 20 goals and 11 assists (31 points) in 108 career NHL games.
Luongo stopped all 40 shots that he faced in the Panthers shutout win over the Canadiens on Thursday. Luongo has now won six of his last seven starts while posting a 2.39 GAA, .933 SV% and one shutout. The veteran has been red-hot since returning from injury and is a great option vs. the Rangers tonight—he is 9-2-1 with a 2.48 GAA and .936 SV% on home ice this season.
Raanta did not dress on Saturday but it is believed that he will still start tonight vs. the Canucks. Raanta has missed the last three games with a minor lower-body injury, but will return to the crease riding a three-game winning streak—allowing just four goals on 85 shots in the process (.953 SV%).
Kuemper allowed one goal on 17 shots in the Coyotes win in Vancouver on Wednesday. Since joining the Coyotes, Kuemper has posted a 2.68 GAA and .900 SV% in three games. Tonight he will face an Avalanche team that has lost three straight games in a overtime and comes in tied for 9th in goals for (3.12) through 67 games.
McDonagh shedded his no-contact sweater and was a full participant in Friday’s practice and could make his debut vs. the Canadiens this afternoon. Because of the early start there will be no morning skate, so expect head coach Jon Cooper to update McDonagh’s status around 11 p.m. ET.
Hayden, 23, has picked up five goals and nine assists (14 points) in 22 games with the IceHogs this season. He spent the early part of the season in the NHL and is recalled with 15 points (4G / 11A) in 51 career NHL games.
Grubauer allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Capitals loss in Los Angeles on Thursday. With Braden Holtby struggling, Grubauer is expected to get another game today in San Jose. Grubauer has allowed two or less goals in his last eight appearances (5 starts, 3 relief) while posting a rock solid 1.58 GAA and .948 SV% in the process.
Miller allowed five goals on 42 shots in the Ducks loss to the Oilers on February 25th. John Gibson started the last four games, including last night, so look for Miller to start tonight in Dallas. In his first start against the Stars (Feb.21), Miller stopped all 41 shots that he faced in a 2-0 shutout win. He will look for a repeat performance tonight.
Bernier has been sidelined with a concussion since February 16th, but will return to the crease for his 30th start of the season this afternoon. Bernier filled in admirably for Semyon Varlamov earlier this season and Varlamov did the same for Bernier over the last month. Bernier is a great option today vs. the Coyotes—the 29-year-old is 11-4-0 with a 2.31 GAA and .930 SV% on home-ice this year.
Lundqvist allowed four goals on 31 shots in the Rangers loss in Tampa Bay on Thursday. Lundqvist has lost two straight and five of his last seven starts, but he will remain between the pipes tonight in Florida. King Henrik has a 5.39 GAA and .825 SV% against the Panthers this season.
Nilsson allowed three goals on 22 shots in the Canucks loss to the Rangers on February 28th. Nilsson has lost three straight while allowing a combined 13 goals on 81 shots (.840 SV%). In his first start against the Wild, Nilsson posted a 29-save shutout in a 1-0 win back in late-October.
