Roy returns to the NHL because Vegas starts a four-game road-trip on Tuesday but also because Alex Tuch was hurt in their last game. Roy, who scored a goal in his season debut (Oct.27), would likely take Tuch's spot in the lineup if he can't play in Columbus. During his time in the AHL, the 22-year-old centre has picked up just one assist in seven games.
Francouz gave up four goals on 26 shots in Colorado's loss to the Ducks last Saturday. Francouz has played very sparingly early in the season but has played well when called upon--2-1-0 with a 2.63 GAA and .926 SV%. Tonight he faces a Coyotes team that is 7-4-1 while averaging 2.83 goals per game (19th in the NHL).
Blackwood allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Devils loss to the Flyers last night. Even with the loss, New Jersey will come back to Blackwood tonight in Carolina. He has lost two in a row and gave up seven goals on 36 shots in his only road start this season. With no rest and a terrible road matchup, Blackwood is a less than ideal option on Saturday.
Blackwood gave up four goals on 16 shots in the Devils loss to the Coyotes last Friday. Cory Schneider started on Wednesday and was lit up for seven goals, so the Devils will come back to Blackwood on Friday. The 22-year-old has gone 2-1-2 with a 2.47 GAA, 893 SV% and one shutout in five starts a the Prudential Center this season.
Blackwood gave up four goals on 16 shots in the Devils loss to the Coyotes last Friday. Cory Schneider started on Wednesday and was lit up for seven goals, so the Devils will come back to Blackwood on Friday. The 22-year-old has gone 2-1-2 with a 2.47 GAA, 893 SV% and one shutout in five starts a the Prudential Center this season.
The Avalanche are already without Mikko Rantanen on a week-to-week basis and now Landeskog could miss an extended period of time with a lower-body issue. This is a massive blow for the Avalanche and leaves Nathan MacKinnon on an island on their top-line. The Avalanche should release a more detailed timetable in the coming days.
Roy scored his first career goal on Sunday but gets sent back to the AHL on Monday. The Golden Knights are off until Thursday, so this could simply be a paper move but Alex Tuch is also nearing a return to the lineup so Roy could be clearing a roster spot for him to be activated.
Kulak has appeared in six straight games but will be replaced by Mike Reilly on Saturday. Kulak was a minus-2 in 16:38 TOI in Thursday's loss to the Sharks.
Manson had to be helped off of the ice after crashing into the boards in Dallas on Thursday and will miss the Ducks two-game weekend road-trip. Korbinian Holzer moved up to help replace Manson vs. the Stars and Erik Gudbranson was acquired from the Penguins and could make his Ducks debut on Saturday.
Blackwood stopped all 25 shots that he faced in the Devils shutout win over the Canucks last Saturday. Blackwood lost his first three starts of the season but has since won two in a row while stopping 54 of the 56 shots (.964 SV%) that he has faced. Tonight he faces a Coyotes team that has won four of their last five, but come in on the tail-end of a back-to-back.
Francouz made 34 saves on 36 shots in Colorado’s win over the Coyotes last Saturday. It was an impressive season debut for Francouz, who is now 1-2-0 with a 1.94 GAA and .944 SV% in his first three NHL appearances. The 29-year-old looks like a serviceable NHL backup and will make a good spot-start option some nights, but not tonight in Tampa Bay.
Blackwood allowed two goals on 31 shots in the Devils win over the Rangers on Thursday. Blackwood secured the Devils’ first win of the season and earned himself a second-straight start this afternoon. Today he faces a Vancouver team that is 4-2-0 and is averaging the 11th most goals per game (3.33 GF/pg).
MacKinnon is dealing with a lower-body injury and is questionable for Friday's game in Florida. If MacKinnon is unable to play, head coach Jared Bednar said that Nazem Kadri will move up and centre the first line and J.T. Compher will centre the second line.
Blackwood allowed three goals on 22 shots in the Devils’ 4-3 shootout loss to the Oilers last Thursday. Cory Schneider started the last two games but Blackwood will start tonight vs. the Rangers. Somehow the Rangers have only played in three games but their offence has been hot to start the season. This could be a high-scoring affair, making Blackwood a low-end starter on a nine-game slate.
Nichushkin has just one assist in his first five games with the Avalanche and will rest Wednesday in Pittsburgh. J.T. Compher is returning from a lower-body injury, replacing Nichushkin in their bottom-6.
