After starting 57-plus games for three straight seasons, Varlamov was bit by the injury bug last season, starting just 23 games. In his 24 appearances, the Russian netminder struggled to an ugly 3.38 GAA and .898 SV%. Varlamov plays behind one of the worst teams in the NHL which will limit his upside in 2017-18. Look for him to improve on last year’s numbers, but he draws a difficult matchup in his first start of the year.
Andreoff enjoyed moderate success in 2015-16, posting 10 points (8G / 2A) in 60 games with the Kings, but struggled to find regular playing time in 2016-17, failing to score a goal while posting two assists in 36 contests. Andreoff is a serviceable fourth-line centre as he won 59.4% of the 69 faceoffs he took a season ago.
Drouin was the No.3 overall pick in the 2013 draft and carried his success in the 2015-16 playoffs into 2016-17, when he scored 21 goals with 32 assists (53 points) in 73 games. The Canadiens ranked 15th in the NHL in scoring a season ago and Drouin should help them push for the top 10 in 2018.
Schneider allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Devils’ loss to the Hurricanes on Saturday. Keith Kinkaid started on Sunday, so they’ll come back to Schneider tonight vs. the Jets. The 31-year-old has gone 1-6-0 with a 2.98 GAA and .896 SV% in the month of March.
Mayfield was in the lineup for the last four games, where he had one assist while averaging 12:56 TOI/GM. Mayfield, who has appeared 21 games with the Islanders this season, but will be scratched for Thomas Hickey tonight.
Soshnikov has just one goal and one assist in his last 15 games and will come out of the lineup tonight to allow Eric Fehr to make his Maple Leafs debut.
Schneider allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Devils’ loss to the Blue Jackets on Sunday. Schneider is an ugly 0-5-0 with a 3.18 GAA and .882 SV% in six starts this month and tonight he’ll face the Rangers for the third time this season. The 31-year-old is 0-1-2 with a 3.55 GAA and .888 SV% in the previous three meetings.
Schneider allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Devils’ loss to the Blue Jackets on Sunday. Schneider is an ugly 0-5-0 with a 3.18 GAA and .882 SV% in six starts this month and tonight he’ll face the Rangers for the third time this season. The 31-year-old is 0-1-2 with a 3.55 GAA and .888 SV% in the previous three meetings.
Mayfield was in the lineup on Saturday, but will be a healthy scratch for the third time in four games. He will be replaced by Adam Pelech.
