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.
Martin had his ankle surgically repaired this offseason and it has not responded well in the early part of the season. There’s no indication how long Martin will be sidelined, but Joakim Ryan has been recalled to take his spot in the lineup for the time being.
With Paul Martin (ankle) sidelined, Ryan has been recalled and will make his NHL debut tonight vs. the Sabres. Ryan had 10 goals and 39 assists (49 points) in 65 games with San Jose (AHL) last season. The former seventh-round pick will make his debut on a pairing with Brent Burns.
Marrtinook was out of the lineup in Vegas on Tuesday, but could draw back into the lineup tonight vs. the Red Wings. So far this season, Martinook has one assist with two shots on goal, but isn’t a viable fantasy injury.
Cousins is dealing with a lower-body injury and is listed as a game-time decision, but doesn’t carry a lot of fantasy value regardless of his status. Cousins has no points and three shots in two games so far this season.
Connauton recorded a goal on 16:20 TOI in the Coyotes’ loss in Vegas on Tuesday, but must have suffered an injury in the contest. With Connauton sidelined on Thursday, Adam Clendening will draw into the lineup for his season debut.
Raanta was pulled after allowing three goals on five shots in the Coyotes’ loss in Vegas on Tuesday. It was a much different outing than his Coyotes debut on Saturday, when he stopped 40 of 42 in a overtime defeat. Tonight he will make his third consecutive start and he will take on a Red Wings team that is 2-1-0 while averaging 2.67 goals for per game so far.
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.
Allen turned aside 40 of 42 shots in the Blues’ win over the Islanders on Monday afternoon. Allen extended his winning streak to three to start the season, posting a 2.58 GAA and .930 SV%. After getting Tuesday night off in New York, Allen will get back between the pipes tonight in Florida. The Panthers have been off since Saturday and come in at 1-1-0.
