Miska has gone 3-3-1 with a 3.11 GAA and .901 SV% in seven starts with Tucson this season. Miska has been recalled to serve as the Coyotes backup while Antti Raanta is sidelined with a lower-body injury.
Schneider allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Devils loss in Detroit last Thursday. It was an inauspicious return to the crease for Schneider, who will make his second start of the season tonight. Schneider faces a Senators team with a little skill but even more internal issues. Still, the Sens have been able to score 3.21 (12th) goals per game through 14 games this season.
Varlamov allowed six goals on 37 shots in Colorado’s loss in Calgary last Thursday. Varlamov had a great start to the season but has now lost three in a row while allowing nine goals on 88 shots (.898 SV%). Tonight he faces a Predators team that has won three in a row and four of their last five. Varlamov is 2-1-1 with a 1.76 GAA and .943 SV% on home-ice so far this season.
Schneider missed the first eight games of the season but stopped five of six shots in relief of Keith Kinkaid on Tuesday. The 32-year-old was once viewed as one of the best goalies in the NHL, but has struggled to a pedestrian 2.86 GAA and .908 SV% in 100 games over the last two seasons. A return against the Red Wings is the perfect scenario for Schneider.
Clutterbuck has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury, but will replace Tom Kuhnhackl in the Islanders lineup on Thursday. Clutterbuck has just one assist, 14 PIMS and nine shots on goal in nine games this season.
Soshnikov has missed the first 10 games of the season, but could make his season debut on Thursday. Soshnikov would draw in on the fourth line, but looks like he’ll sit out for at least one more game.
Varlamov allowed two goals on 27 shots in Colorado’s 3-2 loss in Minnesota on Saturday. Varlamov has just one win in his last five starts (1-2-2) despite posting an unreal 1.79 GAA and .948 SV%. Varlamov heads to Calgary at 2-1-1 with a 1.48 GAA and .957 SV% on the road this season.
Clutterbuck will miss his second straight game with an upper-body injury, so Tom Kuhnhackl will remain on the Islanders fourth line.
Rittich allowed three goals on 15 shots after replacing Mike Smith in the Flames 9-1 loss to the Penguins last Thursday. Rittich will make his fourth start of the season tonight—he is 2-1-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .946 SV% in his first three starts (all on the road).
Soshnikov had one goal in five games during a lengthy conditioning stint with San Antonio. Soshnikov returns to the NHL, where he’ll fight for playing time on the fourth line. He had two points (1G / 1A) in 12 games with the Blues a season ago.
Schneider made three appearances during his conditioning stint, going 1-1-0 with a 2.67 GAA and .897 SV%. Schneider is set to make his season debut this week after a long recovery from hip surgery. Keith Kinkaid has played very well while Schneider was out, so the Devils will likely ease him back into action by splitting starts between the two netminders. The 32-year-old Schneider was 17-16-6 with a 2.93 GAA and .907 SV% last year—one of the worst seasons of his professional career.
Varlamov allowed just one goal on 24 shots but lost 1-0 to the Lightning on Wednesday. Regardless of the loss, Varlamov has been exceptional for the Avalanche so far this season, posting a 1.56 GAA and .953 SV% in his first seven games. On of those wins came against the Wild, who he’ll face again tonight—he stopped 20 of 21 shots in a win over Minnesota on opening night.
Varlamov allowed just one goal on 24 shots but lost 1-0 to the Lightning on Wednesday. Regardless of the loss, Varlamov has been exceptional for the Avalanche so far this season, posting a 1.56 GAA and .953 SV% in his first seven games. On of those wins came against the Wild, who he’ll face again tonight—he stopped 20 of 21 shots in a win over Minnesota on opening night.
Varlamov stopped 37 of 38 shots in Colorado’s win in Philadelphia on Monday. Varlamov snapped a brief two-game losing skid and is now 4-0-2 with a 1.64 GAA and .953 SV% in his six starts this season. As good as he has been, Varlamov draws a tough matchup with the Lightning in town—they’re second in the NHL in goal-scoring (3.86 GF/PG) through seven games.
Rittich stopped 44 of 45 shots in the Flames win in New York on Sunday. Rittich has played exceptionally well this season, stopping 76 of the 79 shots (.962 SV%) that he has faced in two starts and one relief appearance. Rittich is outplaying Mike Smith early-on, so he’ll make his second straight start tonight in Montreal—a matchup that offers some spot-start value.
