Schmid gets the rare start on back-to-back nights as he will be the surprise yet deserved starter for the Devils on Friday. The Devils' starting job has swung firmly in Schmid's favour for the first time this season, as the 23-year-old netminder stopped all eight shots he faced in relief of Vitek Vanecek on Tuesday before allowing just three goals on 47 shots in Thursday's 4-3 victory over the Flyers. After a slow start to the season, Schmid currently boasts a .904 SV% thanks to his recent hot streak, and he couldn't ask for a better matchup to keep things rolling with the Devils being massive -500 favourites over the Sharks on Friday.
Hill had a shutout going when he exited the game during the second intermission in an eventual 4-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. A concrete update has not been provided, making his status uncertain for the Golden Knights' next game on Saturday.
Hill will return to the Golden Knights' crease on Thursday after Logan Thompson got the nod in Tuesday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Oilers. Hill was stellar in a losing effort his last time out, stopping 34 of the 36 shots he faced as Vegas fell to the Flames in overtime. The 27-year-old netminder is enjoying an outstanding season, posting a 9-2-2 record, a.933 SV%, and a 1.96 GAA. He draws a challenging matchup on Thursday as the Golden Knights travel to Vancouver to take on the Canucks.
Theodore missed the last three games with an upper-body injury with an uncertain timeframe but has since been updated to week-to-week after undergoing surgery. Theodore was pacing for the most productive season of his career with 18 points (4G / 14A) in 20 games. The Golden Knights will turn to Alex Pietrangelo, already averaging 23:55 time-on-ice, to see an increased role in his absence, especially on the powerplay.
Hill did not play in Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Arizona Coyotes but will return to the crease on Monday when the Golden Knights visit the Calgary Flames. After an 11-0-1 start, the Golden Knights are 3-5-1 in their last nine and have been shut out in two of their last three outings (1-2-0). That said, Hill has done his part lately, saving 61 of 64 shots (.953 SV%) over his last two games (1-1-0), and has nine quality starts on the season (.750 QS%).
There was no indication of Hertl being injured in the Sharks' last contest, in which he recorded 20:12 time-on-ice and scored two points (0G / 2A), but he is expected to miss their game against the Washington Capitals on Monday. Hertl has played exceptionally for the last-place Sharks, scoring 16 points (4G / 12A) while averaging 20:56 time-on-ice but has an ugly -14 plus/minus attached to his name.
Hill did not play in Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Arizona Coyotes but will likely return to the crease on Monday when the Golden Knights visit the Calgary Flames. After an 11-0-1 start, the Golden Knights are 3-5-1 in their last nine and have been shut out in two of their last three outings (1-2-0). That said, Hill has done his part lately, saving 61 of 64 shots (.953 SV%) over his last two games (1-1-0), and has nine quality starts on the season (.750 QS%).
Theodore missed Saturday's game vs. the Coyotes with an upper-body injury and was placed on IR on Sunday, meaning he'll miss at least the next two games. Kaedan Korczak was recalled from Henderson (AHL) to take Theodore's spot on the Golden Knights' roster.
Korczak has been summoned from the AHL to replace Shea Theodore, who was placed on IR with an upper-body injury. Korczak has picked up three assists in five AHL games this season and four points (1G / 3A) in seven NHL games.
Theodore had enjoyed an excellent start to 2023-24 with four goals, 14 assists, 52 SOG, and a +2 plus/minus in 20 games played but will be out Saturday vs. Arizona as he deals with an upper-body injury. The 28-year-old will be replaced by Brayden Pachal on the Golden Knights' blue line.
Schmid will return to the Devils' crease on Wednesday for the first time since allowing five goals on 30 shots (.833 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on November 14th. The Devils are an offensive juggernaut this season, ranking ninth in the league offensively (3.47 GF / GP), but have struggled immensely keeping the puck out of their net, regardless of who is in between the pipes, ranking fourth-worst in the league defensively (3.82 GA / GP). Schmid has shown the pedigree of an exceptional goaltender in the past but has struggled to find his footing this season, posting an ugly 3.46 GAA and .885 SV% through six games (1-3-1).
The Maple Leafs' goaltending carousel continues Friday as Ilya Samsonov takes the crease Friday in Chicago. The 26-year-old goaltender has struggled mightily in 2023-24, with his 4-1-2 record, .878 SV%, and 3.56 GAA. He draws the Chicago Blackhawks on the road Friday, who have lost five straight and are 31st in the NHL in goals (2.53) and in shots on goal (26.9).
The Golden Knights have made a habit of rotating their two star goalies this season, but it will be Hill getting a second consecutive start in Dallas on Wednesday. Hill has enjoyed a phenomenal start to the 2023-24 season, registering a .929 SV% and a 2.07 GAA to go along with his 8-2-1 record. Hill was stellar against the Penguins in a losing effort on Sunday, stopping 30 of the 32 shots he faced in the 3-0 defeat. He draws a difficult assignment tonight with the Golden Knights being rare underdogs at +110 in Dallas.