Martinook was out of the lineup in Vegas on Tuesday, but will draw back in for Brendan Perlini tonight vs. the Red Wings. Martinook has one assist, two shots and three hits in two games this season.
Kronwall missed the first three games of the season with a groin injury that he suffered during the offseason. Kronwall has had a really tough time with injuries during recent years, but he still plays big minutes at 5-on-5 and on the power-play, so he could have some sneaky fantasy value in deep, deep leagues while he is healthy.
Dubnyk allowed four goals on 31 shots in the Wild’s opening night loss in Detroit. Alex Stalock started Saturday in Carolina, so look for Dubnyk to start tonight after a full week off. Tonight he will face a Blackhawks team that is 3-0-1 while averaging 5.25 goals for per game through their first four games. The 31-year-old was 1-1-0 with a 3.89 GAA and .893 SV% in three starts vs. Chicago last year.
Perlini left Tuesday’s game in Vegas with an upper-body injury and was moved to IR on Thursday morning. The young power-forward was expected to take on a larger role this season and has recorded one assist, one shot in three contests. With Perlini out, look for Jordan Martinook to take his spot.
Okposo missed the Sabres’ morning skate due to an illness, but has not been ruled out for tonight’s game in San Jose. Because of the late puck-drop, it might be wise to avoid the veteran winger, but there’s also a good chance that he will play. Okposo has no points, six shots and a minus-6 rating in three games this season.
Rinne allowed five goals on 30 shots in the Predators’ 6-5 win over the Flyers on Tuesday. Head coach Peter Laviolette said last week that Rinne is expected to start tonight vs. the Stars. Rinne has allowed eight goals on 61 shots (.869 SV%) in two starts this season and Dallas has averaged 2.33 goals for per game on the young season.
Howard stopped 37 of 38 shots in the Red Wings’ shootout win in Ottawa last Saturday. Despite dominating in his first two starts, the Red Wings went to Petr Mrazek on Tuesday, but will come back to Howie tonight. The veteran netminder draws a good matchup vs. the Coyotes and comes in having stopped 74 of 77 shots (.961 SV%) on the young season.
Niemi was yanked after allowing four goals on 13 shots in the Penguins’ 10-1 loss in Chicago last Thursday. It was a horrible Penguins debut for Niemi, who will start the second game of Pittsburgh’s back-to-back tonight in Tampa Bay. Niemi is over the hill and is one of the riskiest spot-start options in the league, even behind one of the most powerful offences.
Byfuglien is dealing with a soft-tissue injury but is progressing and could return Saturday vs. the Hurricanes. With Byfuglien sidelined for Thursday’s game, Tucker Poolman will remain in the lineup for the second straight contest.
Lehner stopped all nine shots that he faced after replacing Chad Johnson in the Sabres’ loss to New Jersey on Monday. Johnson left Wednesday’s practice to get stitches before their flight to San Jose, but he is good to go tonight vs. the Sharks. Lehner has stopped 59 of 65 shots (.908 SV%) that he has faced in three appearances this season.
Kase suffered a head injury in the Ducks’ loss to Calgary on Monday. The song winger has been moved to injured reserve so he will miss at least the next two games (@ COL - FRI / vs. BUF - SUN). Patrick Eaves took his spot in the lineup on Wednesday and will continue to do so going forward.
Bobrovsky stopped 37 of 38 shots in the Blue Jackets’ win in Carolina on Tuesday. Bobrovsky has had an excellent start to the 2017-18 season, winning his first two starts while stopping 66 of 67 shots (.985 SV%). Tonight Bob will face a Rangers team that has gone 1-3-0 while averaging 2.50 goals for and 3.75 goals against through four games.
Jost recorded a goal in 13:54 TOI on Wednesday but is reportedly dealing with a knee injury in advance of Friday’s game vs. the Ducks. Jost has been elevated to the third line in recent games and comes into Friday with one goal, one assist and seven shots in four games.
Varlamov stopped 20 of 23 shots in Colorado’s win over the Bruins on Wednesday. Jonathan Bernier started last night so the Avalanche will start tonight in Dallas. He has been great through the first week and a half of the season, going 3-0-0 with a 1.67 GAA and .945 SV% to this point.
Bernier allowed four goals on 39 shots in Colorado’s loss in New Jersey during his Avalanche debut last Saturday. Tonight he will take on an Anaheim team that he was 21-7-4 with a 2.51 GAA and .915 SV% with a season ago. The Ducks have started the season 2-1-1 with 2.50 goals for and 2.75 goals against per game.
Clifford played just 5:21 TOI before departing Wednesday’s game with an upper-body injury. Clifford is listed as week-to-week and with him sidelined, Jonny Brodzinski is expected to draw back into the lineup on Saturday.
Jones was pulled after allowing four goals on 29 shots in the Sharks’ loss to the Kings on Saturday. Jones has given up a combined eight goals on 59 shots (.864 SV%) through his first two starts this season, but the Sharks will give him the chance to work through it tonight vs. the Sabres. Buffalo has opened the season at 0-2-1 while averaging just 2.33 goals for per game.
Dubnyk allowed four goals on 31 shots in the Wild’s opening night loss in Detroit. Alex Stalock started Saturday in Carolina, so look for Dubnyk to start tonight after a full week off. Tonight he will face a Blackhawks team that is 3-0-1 while averaging 5.25 goals for per game through their first four games. The 31-year-old was 1-1-0 with a 3.89 GAA and .893 SV% in three starts vs. Chicago last year.
Burmistrov had no points in the first two games of the season and will come out of the lineup tonight vs. the Jets. Burmistrov will be replaced by Brock Boeser, who served as a healthy scratch in the first two games.
Markstrom allowed two goals on 42 shots in the Canucks’ shootout loss to Ottawa on Tuesday. In his first two starts of the season, Markstrom has gone 1-0-1 while turning aside 73 of 77 shots (.948 SV%). Tonight he will take on a Jets team that has started the season 1-2-0 while averaging 3.33 goals for and 5.00 goals against on the young season.
