Athanasiou has missed the last four games, but is expected to play vs. the Rangers on Friday. Athanasiou has generated a lot of chances (36 shots) this season but has just four goals and two assists (six points) in 11 games.
Andersen allowed one goal on 37 shots in the Maple Leafs win over the Golden Knights on Tuesday. Andersen has been brilliant as of late, going 4-2-0 with a 1.52 GAA, .951 SV% and one shutout in his last six starts. The Maple Leafs have done well without Auston Matthews, but continue to struggle on home-ice, to no fault of Andersen. He is 3-5-0 despite posting a 2.17 GAA and .927 SV% at Scotiabank Arena.
The Canadiens announced that they have come to a “mutual agreement” with Plekanec to terminate his contract. Plekanec has played in just three of the Canadiens first 16 games this season, but did get to career game No.1000 with the team he spent 984 of the 1001 career games with. This could be the end of the line for Plekanec, who has 233 goals and 375 assists (608 points) in his 15 seasons.
Howard allowed two goals on 42 shots in the Red Wings win over the Canucks on Tuesday. Howard is riding a three-game winning streak, stopping 99 of 107 shots (.925 SV%) that he has faced. He will look to extend his winning streak vs. his hometown Rangers, who are 27th in the NHL in scoring (2.67 GF/PG).
Sparks allowed one goal on 34 shots in the Maple Leafs win over the Kings on October 15th. Sparks is expected to make his third start of the season tonight vs. the Devils. He has gone 2-0-0 while allowing a combined seven goals on 65 shots (.892 SV%) in his first outings of the season. He’ll take on a Devils team that has lost four of their last five games.
Ness has four assists in 12 games with Hershey so far this season. Ness has been called-up to serve as the Capitals seventh defenseman with Brooks Orpik (lower-body) landing on LTIR this morning.
Siegenthaler will make his NHL debut on Friday. The 21-year-old has picked up two assists in 14 games with Hershey this season. Siegenthaler will replace John Carlson (lower-body) in the lineup.
Carlson is battling a lower-body injury and the Capitals announced that they’ve recalled Jonas Siegenthaler to replace him tonight. Carlson is day-to-day and questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Coyotes.
Orpik has missed the last four games but his movement to IR provides the Capitals with some cap relief and means that he will miss at least 10 more games. The Capitals have recalled Aaron Ness to serve as the seventh defenseman.
Klingberg was forced to leave Thursday’s game with an upper-body injury that he suffered while blocking a shot. The Stars immediately announced that he will miss at least three weeks, which is a huge blow. Miro Heiskanen gets a massive bump in fantasy value as he takes over as their primary power-play defenseman.
Vasilevskiy allowed two goals on 35 shots in the Lightning’s 5-2 win over the Oilers on Tuesday. Vasilevskiy has gone 5-1-0 with a 1.84 GAA, .938 SV% and one shutout in his last six starts. The 24-year-old has been outstanding this season and is a must-start tonight with the Islanders in town.
Staal missed Tuesday’s game with an illness, but said he expects to play in Los Angeles. Head coach Bruce Boudreau called Staal a game-time decision, but it sounds like he’ll be back in. Staal has 11 points (5G /6A) in 13 games this season.
Kinkaid allowed two goals on 19 shots after replacing Cory Schneider in the Devils loss in Ottawa on Tuesday. Kinkaid’s game has slipped recently, going 2-3-1 with a 3.45 GAA and .900 SV% in his last six starts and two relief appearances. He’ll be in tough again tonight. The Maple Leafs have struggled on home-ice, but are tied for sixth in the NHL in goal-scoring (3.40 GF/PG).
Bratt has missed the first 13 games of the season after suffering a fractured jaw in practice right before the season started. Brett had 35 points (13G / 22A) while firing 100 shots in 74 games last season.
