Connauton played just 9:17 before departing last night’s loss in Buffalo. He was injured on a hit from Sabres’ forward Marcus Foligno and is listed as day-to-day. Don’t expect him to be in the lineup in Carolina on Friday night.
Domingue stopped all 11 shots that he faced after replacing Mike Smith in the Coyotes’ loss in Boston on Tuesday. Smith struggled again last night, so head coach Dave Tippet said that he’ll “probably” give him the night off. Domingue is an ugly 2-10-1 with a 4.19 GAA and .871 SV% on the road.
Roussel left Thursday’s game after blocking a Johnny Boychuk shot and did not return. Stars’ head coach Lindy Ruff said that “it’s not good news” and added that “in all likelihood, the rest of the season.” It looks like Roussel’s season will end with 12 goals and 15 assists (27 points) in 60 games.
Shore played just 8:17 before coming out of Thursday’s game with an upper-body injury. There was no update on Shore’s status postgame, so consider him as questionable for Saturday’s game vs. the Canucks.
Ellis scored a goal in 9:25 TOI before leaving last night’s game in Montreal with a lower-body injury. Head coach Peter Laviolette did not have Ellis’ condition so consider him as day-to-day.
Okposo hurt his rib cage when he went crashing into the boards and was forced to exit the game. Sabres’ head coach Dan Bylsma did not have an update on Okposo’s injury, so consider him day-to-day until they release more information.
Berra has gone 12-14-2 with a 2.53 GAA and .910 SV% in 31 games with Springfield this season and he has been called up to serve as James Reimer’s backup while Roberto Luongo nurses a lower-body injury.
Luongo stopped all 13 shots that he faced before having to leave after the first period of last night’s loss in Philadelphia. With Luongo out, James Reimer takes over as the Panthers’ No.1 and Reto Berra has been called up to be the backup.
Crawford allowed three goals on 37 shots in the Blackhawks win over the Coyotes on February 23rd. Scott Darling has started the last two games, but Crawford will get back in goal tonight vs. the Islanders. Crawford has won six of his last seven starts while posting a 2.71 GAA and .913 SV%. Tonight he takes on an Islanders team that has won four of five.
Niemi allowed two goals on 20 shots in the Stars’ win over the Penguins on Tuesday. It was a great outing for Niemi, who will start for the second straight game tonight vs. the Islanders. Niemi has gone 9-3-2 with a 2.42 GAA and .921 SV% at American Airlines Center this season.
Because the Avalanche did not skate, it remains to be seen who will start between the pipes in Ottawa. Jeremy Smith started three in a row and is coming off of a loss in Philadelphia on Tuesday, which suggests Pickard will draw tonight's game. Expect head coach Jared Bednar to announce his starter around 5:30 p.m. ET.
