


Igor Shesterkin is still sidelined with an ankle injury, so Georgiev will get the call for the second time in as many nights. He allowed three goals on 26 shots in last night's 4-3 victory over the Wild. Georgiev is now 3-2 with a .901 SV% over his last six appearances. He'll have to be at the top of his game tonight to out-duel a rested Elvis Merzlikins.


Grundstrom, 22, appeared in four straight games with the Kings but will switch spots with Martin Frk. During his time in the AHL, Grundstrom has picked up nine goals and 11 assists (20 points) in 30 games.

With Cody Ceci landing on IR, Liljegren will play alongside Rasmus Sandin on an all-rookie D-pair tonight vs. the Ducks. The 20-year-old, former first-round pick (No.17 in 2017) has 29 points (5G / 24A) in 38 AHL games this season.

Georgiev allowed one goal on six shots in relief of Henrik Lundqvist vs. the Stars on Monday. Since Christmas, Georgiev has gone 3-3-0 with a 3.63 GAA and .893 SV% but draws an amazing matchup with the Sabres in town. They are coming off of a loss vs. the Red Wings last night and have lost five of their last six (1-4-1) while averaging 1.67 goals per game.

With Cody Ceci set to miss at least one month and Morgan Rielly still out, Liljegren could finally get his chance in the NHL. Liljegren made his NHL debut on January 18th but played just 10:40 TOI as a seventh defenseman. During his time with the Marlies, the 20-year-old has amassed five goals and 24 assists (29 points) in 38 games.


Rutta suffered a lower-body injury in the Lightning's win over the Golden Knights on Tuesday and he is expected to miss a couple of weeks. With Rutta out, Mikhail Sergachev moved to the top-pair in Wednesday's practice and Brayden Coburn looks like he'll be back in the lineup on Thursday.

Vanecek, who is 13-9-1 with a 2.43 GAA and .908 SV% in the AHL this season, may serve as Braden Holtby's backup vs. the Kings. Ilya Samsonov was forced to leave the Capitals morning skate after taking an Alex Ovechkin shot up high and is going through concussion protocol. If he's not 100 percent, Vanecek will be the backup.

Wennberg was hurt Sunday in Montreal and will miss at least three weeks. Ryan MacInnis was recalled from Cleveland (AHL) on Monday and will take Wennberg's spot in the lineup vs. the Panthers. Wennberg had just started to heat up over the last month and a half, picking up 10 points (3G / 7A) in his last 17 games.

Grundstrom has spent most of the season with Ontario, where he has 20 points (9G / 11A) in 30 games. During his brief time with the Kings, he has no goals and four assists in nine games.

Sabourin was a healthy scratch last night vs. New Jersey but will replace Mikkel Boedker in the lineup in Buffalo. Sabourin has one goal, two assists and 17 PIMS in 16 games this season.

This isn't surprising with the Islanders in town. Georgiev started both games vs. the Isles last week, going 2-0 while stopping 70 of the 74 shots (.946 SV%) that he faced. He is now 4-1-0 with a 1.40 GAA, .955 SV% and one shutout in his career against the Islanders and makes for a solid option on a quiet Tuesday in the NHL.


Sabourin has sat out of the last five games but will replace Rudolfs Balcers in the lineup on Thursday. Sabourin has one goal, two assists and 17 PIMS in 14 games this season.

Georgiev allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Rangers win over the Islanders on Monday. It was another strong outing for Georgiev, who is now 3-1-0 with a 1.21 GAA, .957 SV% and one shutout in four career outings vs. the Islanders. He comes into Thursday at 8-4-0 with a 3.01 GAA and .919 SV% on the road.

With Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin both out, the Maple Leafs recalled Rasmus Sandin last night and Liljegren today and both could draw into the lineup on Tuesday. The 20-year-old has four goals and 20 assists (24 points) in 33 AHL games this season.

Georgiev allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Rangers' 2-1 loss in Vancouver on January 4th. It was a better outing for Georgiev, who allowed a combined 16 goals in his previous three outings. He has struggled at Madison Square Garden (2-5-1 | 3.41 GAA | .893 SV%) this season but has been great against the Islanders in his young career, going 2-1-0 with a 0.87 GAA, .967 SV% and one shutout in three starts.
