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.
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.
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.
Varlamov allowed five goals on 24 shots in Colorado’s loss in Nashville on November 18th. The Russian netminder has missed the last four games with an illness but will return to the crease tonight vs. the Jets. Varlamov has gone 4-0-1 with a 3.00 GAA and .918 SV% at the Pepsi Center this season but he’ll face a Jets team that has won seven of their last nine.
Varlamov missed the last four games with an illness, but says he’s ready to go and will be available on Wednesday. Jonathan Bernier filed in pretty well for Varlamov, going 2-1-1 while allowing just eight goals on 107 shots (.925 SV%), but if Varlamov is available he will likely start vs. the Jets.
Islanders head coach Doug Weight said that he doesn’t think Cizikas’ injury is serious but it looks like he will miss some time and could be out for up to one week. With Cizikas out, Anthony Beauvillier figures to play on Tuesday.
Rittich is a 25-year-old goaltender that came over from the Czech Republic last year and started 31 games for Stockton (AHL). In six starts with the Heat this season, Rittich has gone 5-1-0 with a 2.17 GAA and .931 SV%, leading to him replacing the struggling Eddie Lack as Mike Smith’s backup. Rittich will make his first NHL start tonight and it will come against an Avalanche team that is averaging 3.33 goals per for.
