Smith will come up and serve as Calvin Pickard’s backup after going 5-8-0 with a 2.57 GAA and .911 SV%. This move is likely more about getting Spencer Martin games while Pickard is playing well then wanting to call-up Smith.
Calvin Pickard has played well recently, so the Avalanche likely want to allow Martin to get some games in with San Antonio while Pickard starts with the big club. He has swapped places with Jeremy Smith and goes to the Rampage with a 15-10-0 record, 2.72 GAA and .912 SV% in 28 games.
Reimer allowed one goal on 23 shots in the Panthers’ win over the Ducks last Friday. Reimer has won two in a row while stopping 53 of 55 shots (.964 SV%). Reimer has had a nice season in Florida and he comes into tonight’s meeting with the Kings with a 5-3-1 record, 2.31 GAA and .927 SV% in his first 10 games on home-ice.
Pickard stopped all 27 shots that he faced in Colorado’s shutout win over the Canadiens on Tuesday. It was Pickard’s second shutout of the season and he has now won two in a row while turning aside 50 of the last 52 shots (.962 SV%) that he has faced. He draws a terrible matchup vs. the Penguins tonight, but he stopped 28 of 31 shots in a 4-3 OT win in his first start vs. Pittsburgh.
Reilly, 23, was a fourth round pick in 2011 who put up huge offensive numbers at the University of Minnesota, but has had a tough time producing in the NHL. The Chicago native has just one goal in 17 games with Minnesota this season and heads back to Iowa where he has 15 points (4G / 11A) in 29 games.
Olofsson, 22, has scored five goals with 16 assists (21 points) in 45 games with Iowa this season. He played one game with Minnesota this season and has three games of NHL experience so far. He could draw into the lineup tonight vs. the Blackhawks.
Baertschi left last night’s loss with a concussion and did not return. Baertschi played just 1:53 before leaving the game following a hit from Cody McLeod. Baertschi will likely miss a couple of games, so expect Reid Boucher to draw into the in Columbus on Thursday.
Pavelec allowed three goals on 14 shots before exiting yesterday’s loss vs. the Wild with a lower-body injury. After the game head coach Paul Maurice did not have an update on Pavelec, but expect Connor Hellebuyck to start on Friday regardless of Pavelec’s status.
Anderson was forced from Tuesday’s game after being hit by Red Wings’ defenseman Brendan Smith. The Blue Jackets felt that the hit was questionable, but it went unpenalized. Monitor Anderson’s status prior to Thursday’s game vs. the Canucks. Expect Markus Hannikainen to replace him if he can't go.
Killorn was scratched for Tuesday’s game because of an undisclosed injury and is listed as day-to-day. The Lightning are back in action on Friday and head coach Jon Cooper is hoping that Killorn will be back in the lineup. Monitor his status during Friday’s morning skate.
Kuemper allowed two goals on 43 shots in the Wild’s win in Edmonton on January 31st. Kuemper has faced an average of 34.2 shots in his first 11 starts of the season and tonight he’ll make start No.12 vs. the Blackhawks. Chicago is 11th in the league in scoring (2.78 GF/PG) and come in having gone 2-1-0 in their first three games of their current road-trip.
Rinne allowed one goal on 19 shots in the Predators’ 1-0 loss to the Red Wings on Saturday. Rinne has won four of his last six starts while posting a 2.00 GAA, .932 SV% and one shutout. In two starts against the Canucks this season, Rinne is 1-1-0 with a 0.97 GAA and .964 SV%.
Budaj was pulled after he allowed four goals on 15 shots in the Kings loss in Washington on Sunday. It was a tough loss for Budaj, who posted back-to-back shutouts in his two previous starts. Budaj has played very well this season, going 25-15-3, but he allowed two goals on 29 shots in a 2-1 loss in his first start vs. Tampa Bay.
Bishop made 14 saves on 16 shots in the Lightning’s win over the Ducks on Saturday. It was an easy outing for Bishop, who has just 12 wins in 27 starts this season. In mid-January he took on the Kings, like he will tonight, and he turned aside 31 of 32 shots in a 2-1 win that night.
Niemi was pulled after he gave up two goals on five shots in the Stars loss to the Sabres on January 26th. Kari Lehtonen has played a lot recently, but Niemi will get a shot tonight in Toronto. Niemi is 2-4-2 with a 4.57 GAA and .863 SV% in seven starts and three relief appearances on the road.
Lack has not played a game since November 10th, when he lasted just 28 seconds vs. the Ducks. It has been an injury-filled season for Lack, who has gone 1-2-1 with a 3.79 GAA and .856 SV% in four starts and one relief appearance. Tonight he’ll draw a terrible matchup tonight against a red-hot Capitals team.
