Varlamov allowed four goals on 31 shots in Colorado’s loss in Tampa Bay on Thursday. In his last five appearances, Varlamov has posted a 2.94 GAA and .905 SV% and tonight he will make his 17th start of the season. Varlamov has gone 3-5-0 with a 3.48 GAA and .888 SV% in eight road games this season.
Schneider stopped 41 of 42 shots in the Devils win in Columbus on Tuesday. Schneider has won three of his last four starts while posting a 1.76 GAA and .945 SV%. Tonight he will face Columbus again an comes in at 5-3-2 with a 2.55 GAA and .923 SV% in 10 home starts.
Rittich allowed two goals on six shots after replacing Mike Smith in the Flames loss to the Oilers last Saturday. In his first start with the Flames, Rittich stopped 24 of 26 shots in a win in Colorado. Rittich will be in tough as he goes head-to-head with Carey Price.
Varlamov allowed three goals on 34 shots in Colorado’s loss to Buffalo on Tuesday. Since returning from his illness, Varlamov has posted a 2.61 GAA and .915 SV% in three starts and one relief appearance. He draws a horrible matchup tonight in Tampa Bay—the 29-year-old has gone 3-4-0 with a 3.40 GAA and .890 SV% in seven road starts this year.
Horvat underwent an MRI on a leg injury that the suffered against the Hurricanes on Tuesday. The original prognosis is “not good” and it sounds like Horvat could miss up to a month and a half. Expect a full timetable to be released from the Canucks shortly.
Cizikas has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury, but he will replace Alan Quine in the lineup tonight in Pittsburgh. The Islanders fourth line centre has scored four goals with four assists (eight points) in 23 games this season.
Schneider allowed one goal on 23 shots in the Devils’ win in Colorado last Friday. Keith Kinkaid started on Saturday, so Schneider will be back between the pipes tonight in Columbus. The 31-year-old netminder has gone 5-2-1 with a 2.85 GAA and .915 SV% in nine road starts this season.
Varlamov allowed two goals on 18 shots after replacing Jonathan Bernier in Colorado’s 7-2 loss to Dallas on Sunday. Varlamov has been impressive on home-ice this season, going 5-1-1 with a 2.81 GAA and .917 SV% at the Pepsi Center. He makes for a good option tonight against Sabres team in disarray.
The Islanders continue to shuffle their third pairing every couple of games. Mayfield has been in the lineup for the last four games, but will be replaced by Ryan Pulock tonight vs. the Senators.
Pulock has been a healthy scratch for the last four games, but he will replace Scott Mayfield in the lineup tonight vs.the Senators. Pulock has one goal and two assists (three points) in 11 games this season.
Drouin left last night’s win vs. the Senators with a lower-body ailment and it will force him to miss at least tonight’s game vs. Detroit, but his status for Saturday’s home game remains up in the air. This is a tough break for the Habs, who have won three in a row and appeared to be getting back on track. Drouin leads the team with 17 points (5G / 12A) in 25 games this season.
Cizikas is expected to miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury, but the Islanders are hopeful that he will return to the lineup next week. With Cizikas out again, Anthony Beauvillier will likely remain in the lineup on Friday.
