Luongo allowed three goals on 12 shots after replacing James Reimer in the Panthers’ loss to the Kings on Thursday. Reimer has played a lot recently, but Luongo will get a chance to make his 34th start of the season this afternoon. Bobby Lu has struggled, going 1-3-1 with a 4.07 GAA and .893 SV% in his last six appearances.
Rinne allowed two goals on 33 shots in the Predators’ win over the Canucks on Tuesday. Juuse Saros started on Thursday, so they’ll come back to Rinne vs. the Panthers this afternoon. Rinne has gone 4-1-0 with a 1.39 GAA, .952 SV% and one shutout in his last five starts on home ice, so he should make for a nice play today.
Talbot stopped all 22 shots that he faced in the Oilers’ shutout win in Montreal last Sunday. The win snapped a three-game winning streak for Talbot, who will be the first goalie to make 50 starts this season. Talbot turned aside all 31 shots that he faced in a 5-0 shutout win in his first start vs. Chicago.
Neuvirth allowed two goals on 16 shots in the Flyers’ 2-0 loss to the Blues on Monday. Steve Mason started on Thursday, but Neuvirth will be between the pipes this afternoon. The Czech netminder has stopped 83 of 88 shots (.943 SV%) in his last four starts and he’ll face a Sharks team that has lost three in a row.
Smith allowed five goals on 40 shots in the Coyotes’ loss to the Canadiens on Thursday. Smith has dropped three of his last four starts while registering an ugly 3.43 GAA and .903 SV%. In his first start against the Penguins, Smith was pulled after he allowed four goals on 22 shots in a 7-0 loss.
Allen allowed one goal on 32 shots in the Blues’ overtime win in Toronto on Thursday. Allen has now won three of his last four starts while allowing just five goals on 119 shots (.958 SV%). In his first start against the Canadiens, Allen allowed two goals on 30 shots in a 3-2 overtime win.
Lehner allowed four goals on 43 shots in the Sabres’ loss to the Ducks on Thursday. Lehner has lost four of his last five starts while posting a 2.59 GAA, .934 SV% and one shutout. Lehner has played pretty well this season, but the Sabres haven’t been great in front of him. The 25-year-old is 0-1-0 with a 3.40 GAA and .889 SV% in two starts vs.the Maple Leafs.
Khudobin will make his first NHL start since December 23rd this afternoon. The 30-year-old has gone 1-5-1 with a 3.06 GAA and .885 SV% in seven starts and one relief appearance with the Bruins. During his time with Providence (AHL), Khudobin has gone 7-3-1 with a 2.69 GAA and .896 SV%. He is a risky spot-start even against the Canucks.
Pacioretty missed the Canadiens' morning skate because of an illness, but he is listed as a game-time decision. Brian Flynn was a placeholder for Pacioretty this morning, so expect their lines to be shuffled if Pacioretty cannot play tonight.
