Dvorak was sent down to Tucson, but never appeared in a game. He has been recalled and will be in the lineup on Thursday because Martin Hanzal is nursing a lower-body injury. He has three assists in seven games.
Rieder missed the Coyotes’ morning skate because of a lower-body injury, making him questionable for tonight’s game vs.the Predators. Monitor Rieder’s status leading up to puck-drop—he has five points (2G / 3A) in nine games this season.
Hanzal missed the Coyotes’ morning skate and will be held out of the lineup on Thursday. With Hanzal out, the Coyotes have recalled Christian Dvorak and Jordan Martinook is expected to take his spot on the top line.
Johnson allowed five goals on 39 shots in a loss to the Blues on October 22nd. Brian Elliott started the last five games, but Johnson will give him a break tonight. He has a 2.89 GAA and .901 SV% in three appearances this season and should not be used as a spot-start tonight in San Jose.
Jones allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Sharks’ loss in Arizona on Tuesday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Jones, who has won five of nine outings with a 2.26 GAA and .914 SV%. Jones is a No.1 fantasy netminder and you aren’t going to bench him against a Flames team that has lost two in a row and sit at 4-6-1.
Gravel, 24, was a fifth round pick in 2010 and has appeared in five career NHL games. In six games with Ontario this season, the 6-foot-4, 200 lbs. defenseman has two assists. Gravel has been recalled because Tom Gilbert could be suspended for his hit on Tuesday.
Mason was yanked after he allowed three goals on 13 shots in the Flyers’ loss to the Penguins last Saturday. With Michal Neuvirth starting last night, Mason is expected to start tonight vs. the Islanders. Mason has struggled in the early part of 2016-17, having posted a 3.46 GAA and .878 SV% in high outings. The Islanders come in sub-.500 but are 13th in scoring (2.80 G/PG).
Markstrom allowed four goals on 34 shots in the Canucks’ loss to the Capitals on Saturday. Ryan Miller started last night, so Markstrom will go tonight in Ottawa. Markstrom has had a strong start to the year as the Canucks’ backup, but won’t get much in the way of goal support. Markstrom comes in with a 2.35 GAA and .913 SV%, but is a risky start on any given night.
Hudler has already missed five games due to illness and only returned for two games, before finding himself back out of the lineup. There’s no indication whether or not he is dealing with the same illness as before or a new one, but either way he won’t play vs. the Blues.
Price stopped all 42 shots in the Canadiens’ shutout win over the Canucks on Wednesday. Price has been absolutely outstanding so far this season. He has won all six of his starts while posting a ridiculous 1.17 GAA, .964 SV% and one shutout. He is a must-start, even against a Flyers team that is fourth in scoring (3.42 G/PG).
Lundqvist stopped all 35 shots that he faced in the Rangers’ shutout win over the Blues on Tuesday. Lundqvist has won four of his last five starts while posting a 1.81 GAA, .937 SV% and one shutout. Tonight he will face an Oilers team that has started 2016-17 at 7-2-1 and rank seventh in the NHL in scoring (3.10 G/PG).
Talbot allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Oilers’ overtime loss in Toronto on Tuesday. Talbot was rock solid once again, but Frederik Andersen was just a little bit better at the other end of the ice. Talbot has been one of the biggest surprises early on, winning seven of 10 starts with a 2.14 GAA and .932 SV%. Tonight he draws a tough matchup vs. his former team, that is leading the NHL in scoring.
Kuraly, 23, was a fifth round pick in 2011 and tonight will be his first career NHL game. He previously sent four years at the University of Miami (Ohio) and made the transition to the AHL this fall. In eight games with Providence, the American born winger had one assist and nine penalty minutes. He will take Matt Beleksey’s spot in the lineup on Thursday.
Beleskey has no points and a minus-7 rating in nine games to start the season. Beleskey will sit out and get a chance to watch tonight in Tampa Bat. Sean Kuraly will make his NHL debut in Beleskey’s place.
Laughton, who is on long-term IR with a knee injury will go to Lehigh Valley to get up to speed before returning to the Flyers. Laughton had seven goals and 14 assists (21 points) in 71 games last season.
Jokinen has missed the last six games and will miss at least two more games before potentially returning next week. Jokinen has registered two assists in four games.
Bjugstad has missed the first 10 games of the season with a broken hand and will miss at least two more games. Head coach Gerard Gallant said Bjugstad is getting close and should return to the lineup next week.
Montoya allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Canadiens’ win over the Islanders on October 26th. Montoya has started four games this season, winning three of them with a 1.47 GAA and .955 SV%. Montoya is one of the best spot-start options in the NHL thanks to a strong Canadiens team in front of him. He makes for a strong option tonight in Columbus.
Crawford turned aside 33 of 34 shots in the Blackhawks’ win over the Flames on Tuesday. After a slow start, Crawford has now won three in a row with a 1.00 GAA, .969 SV% and one shutout. He is among the NHL’s best goaltenders and is a must-start against the 4-4-0 Avalanche, who are tied for 20th in scoring (2.50 G/PG).
Rask stopped 33 of 34 shots in the Bruins’ win in Florida on Tuesday. Rask is off to a blistering start to 2016-17, having won each of his five starts while posting a 1.20 GAA, .961 SV% and one shutout. This is much more like the Rask we know compared to the one we saw last year. He draws a tough matchup in Tampa Bay, but you’re not benching Rask right now.
