Mrazek replaced James Reimer, who was hurt early in the first period and then he was hurt in a collision with Maple Leafs' forward Kyle Clifford while attempting to play the puck way outside of his crease on Saturday night and did not return. So the Hurricanes were forced to turn to 42-year-old Zamboni driver David Ayres for the final 28:41 of Saturday's 6-3 win.
Friday could be the first time Mrazek makes back-to-back starts since playing either side of the All-Star break. He played well in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Stars, stopping 33 of the 36 shots he faced. Mrazek has just two wins in his last nine games after starting the season 16-8-2. He'll hope to get back in the win column tonight against a lowly Devils team.
Jones suffered a sprain and hairline fracture of his ankle on Saturday and underwent surgery on Tuesday. Jones will miss a minimum of two months, which will sideline him for the rest of the regular season but could allow him to be ready for the start of the playoffs should the Blue Jackets qualify.
Mrazek allowed six goals on 26 shots in the Hurricanes loss in St. Louis last Tuesday. Mrazek has stumbled in his last five starts, going 1-4-0 with a 3.26 GAA and .875 SV%. He has struggled more often than not in road games, going 4-7-2 with a 3.24 GAA and .888 SV% in 13 road games (12 starts).
Khudobin allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Stars win in St. Louis on Saturday. Khudobin has won his last two starts while allowing just five goals on 61 shots (.918 SV%). Tonight he faces the Hurricanes on home ice, where he is 4-1-0 with a 1.49 GAA and .941 SV%. Carolina has won five of their last seven games (5-2-0) while averaging 3.86 goals per game.
Robinson was a healthy scratch on Saturday and with a need for a defenseman, Robinson heads back to the AHL to make room for Alexander Yelesin to be recalled. He had one goal in five games with the Flames during his call-up.
Jones went crashing hard into the Avalanche net in Saturday's home loss but finished the game, playing 23:25 TOI. However, ahead of their game with the Lightning on Monday, the Blue Jackets announced they'll be without Jones indefinitely. This is obviously a serious blow for Columbus and could change their plans heading into the trade deadline. David Savard seems like a prime candidate to move up to the top pair with Zach Werenski.
Khudobin allowed three goals one 36 shots in the Stars win in New York on Monday. Ben Bishop started the last two games, including last night, so they'll go with Khudobin tonight in St. Louis. Khudobin has gone 8-6-1 with a 2.61 GAA and .924 SV% in 14 road games this season.
Brossoit allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Jets loss to the Bruins on January 31st. Brossoit has gone 1-3-0 with a 3.76 GAA and .875 SV% on home-ice this season and gets set to face an Ottawa team that has lost eight of their last nine road games (1-4-4).
Mrazek allowed four goals on 37 shots in the Hurricanes loss to the Golden Knights last Friday. Mrazek struggled in January, going 2-5-0 with a 2.48 GAA and .910 SV% in seven games. Tonight he'll face a Blues team that his suddenly struggling. They've lost five of their last six (1-4-1) while scoring just 2.67 goals per game.
Mrazek allowed four goals on 37 shots in the Hurricanes loss to the Golden Knights last Friday. Mrazek struggled in January, going 2-5-0 with a 2.48 GAA and .910 SV% in seven games. Tonight he'll face a Blues team that his suddenly struggling. They've lost five of their last six (1-4-1) while scoring just 2.67 goals per game.
