Friday, January 24
Brian Boucher, Phoenix Coyotes - Boucher is expected to be the starter for Friday's game against the Oilers, reports the Arizona Republic.
Manny Legace, Detroit Red Wings - Legace could be the starter for Friday's game against the Canucks, reports the Detroit News. Coach Dave Lewis wouldn't reveal his starting goaltender to the media but is apparently considering Legace due to Curtis Joseph's relative ineffectiveness against the Canucks this year and in his career. If true, Joseph would then start against the Flames on Saturday - a team that he has already shutout twice this year.
Ron Tugnutt, Dallas Stars - Coach Dave Tippett has seriously been considering giving Tugnutt his second consecutive start on Friday against the Lightning and then coming back with Marty Turco on Saturday against the Blues. Even though Turco is eligible to return from his one game suspension in time for Friday's match, this arrangement makes sense to us so consider Tugnutt the probable starter.
Martin Gerber, Anaheim Mighty Ducks - Gerber will be the starter for Friday's game against the Devils, reports the LA Times. The Ducks don't play back-to-back games, but the team's coaching staff wants to give Jean-Sebastien Giguere a little rest.
Ed Belfour, Toronto Maple Leafs - Belfour has overcome the back problems that have bothered him lately and will start on Friday against the Sabres, reports the Toronto Star who got their information straight from backup Trevor Kidd. Kidd, meanwhile, has not recovered from a groin pull and will probably concede backup duties to Mikael Tellqvist.
Robert Esche, Philadelphia Flyers - Esche is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Islanders. Roman Cechmanek left practice early due to "back stiffness" and since the Flyers play on back-to-back days, we're guessing Esche will draw the first assignment.
Garth Snow, New York Islanders - Snow will be the starter for Friday's game against the Flyers, reports the New York Newsday.
Corey Schwab, New Jersey Devils - Coach Pat Burns told the New Jersey Star Ledger that he would "most likely" start Schwab for Friday's game against the Ducks. Martin Brodeur would then start on Saturday versus the Kings.
Kevin Weekes, Carolina Hurricanes - Coach Paul Maurice told the Durham Herald-Sun that he had not yet decided on who will start in goal out of Weekes or Arturs Irbe. We'll go out on a limb and predict Weekes to be starting, but check back later in case there is an update.
Martin Biron, Buffalo Sabres - Biron is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Maple Leafs. This going by the premise that Coach Lindy Ruff would start him due to the fact that he recorded a shutout in his last game.
Roberto Luongo, Florida Panthers - Luongo is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Hurricanes.
Dan Cloutier, Vancouver Canucks - Cloutier is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Red Wings.
Jamie Storr, Los Angeles Kings - The Kings are disappointed in both their goalies - Storr and veteran Felix Potvin, especially after the latest incident where they combined to let in 6 goals and let a win against the Ducks slip away. Coach Andy Murray flatout stated that the goaltending has not been good, but he also said that Storr failed to capitalize on the opening for the #1 job and capture it away from Potvin.
Jeff Hackett, Boston Bruins - Hackett will arrive in Boston later today, likely in time to pratice with his new teammates in the afternoon. He will definitely be in uniform for Friday's game against the Flyers and there is a good chance that he will start as well. For the record, Hackett will get every chance in the world to become and stay the Bruins' #1 goaltender not only for this year but next as well and as a result of this, he has a considerable amount of fantasy value. Steve Shields will go back to being the backup and Andrew Raycroft will be returned to the minors.
player info
Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings - Yzerman has no begun to engage in part-contact practice, participating in drills that simulate game-like situations. He also practiced on back-to-back days which is a sign that his knee responded well to the test. Obviously Yzerman is only a handful of days away from returning to the lineup and we wouldn't be surprised to see him suit up shortly after the all-star break.
Martin Havlat, Ottawa Senators - A sore arm kept Havlat out of action on Thursday against the Thrashers. It is the same injury that he suffered a few nights earlier though he was able to play one game after that which seems to indicate that his absence was merely precautionary. We will update on Havlat either later today or sometime over the weekend.
Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings - Chelios did not practice on Thursday due to a leg injury - the same injury that has been bothering him for a couple of weeks. He is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Canucks.
Derek Morris, Colorado Avalanche - Morris suffered a scary looking injury to his eye on Thursday against the Blue Jackets and had to be taken to hospital where tests came back negative. He returned to the arena later in the evening and pronounced himself ready to return to the ice but of course, the Avs staff would not allow it. Morris is one tough competitor and it doesn't appear as if he will miss much time, if any.
Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins - Lemieux did not skate on Thursday for a third consecutive day but coach Rick Kehoe expressed optimism that he would be able to get back on the ice within the next two days. Lemieux probably will not be back by early/mid next week so reserve him for the time being if you play in a daily league.
Adrian Aucoin, New York Islanders - Aucoin remains sidelined with a groin injury and will not play on Friday against the Flyers, reports the New York Newsday. Coach Peter Laviolette dubbed Aucoin as "days-to-days", suggesting that he's a bit worse off than a "day-to-day" designation.
Radek Dvorak, New York Rangers - Dvorak has apparently recovered from the mild concussion he suffered on Tuesday and will practice on Friday with the rest of the team. The Rangers also added that he will be back in the lineup for Saturday's afternoon match against the Thrashers.
Brian Boucher, Phoenix Coyotes - Boucher is expected to be the starter for Friday's game against the Oilers, reports the Arizona Republic.
Manny Legace, Detroit Red Wings - Legace could be the starter for Friday's game against the Canucks, reports the Detroit News. Coach Dave Lewis wouldn't reveal his starting goaltender to the media but is apparently considering Legace due to Curtis Joseph's relative ineffectiveness against the Canucks this year and in his career. If true, Joseph would then start against the Flames on Saturday - a team that he has already shutout twice this year.
Ron Tugnutt, Dallas Stars - Coach Dave Tippett has seriously been considering giving Tugnutt his second consecutive start on Friday against the Lightning and then coming back with Marty Turco on Saturday against the Blues. Even though Turco is eligible to return from his one game suspension in time for Friday's match, this arrangement makes sense to us so consider Tugnutt the probable starter.
Martin Gerber, Anaheim Mighty Ducks - Gerber will be the starter for Friday's game against the Devils, reports the LA Times. The Ducks don't play back-to-back games, but the team's coaching staff wants to give Jean-Sebastien Giguere a little rest.
Ed Belfour, Toronto Maple Leafs - Belfour has overcome the back problems that have bothered him lately and will start on Friday against the Sabres, reports the Toronto Star who got their information straight from backup Trevor Kidd. Kidd, meanwhile, has not recovered from a groin pull and will probably concede backup duties to Mikael Tellqvist.
Robert Esche, Philadelphia Flyers - Esche is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Islanders. Roman Cechmanek left practice early due to "back stiffness" and since the Flyers play on back-to-back days, we're guessing Esche will draw the first assignment.
Garth Snow, New York Islanders - Snow will be the starter for Friday's game against the Flyers, reports the New York Newsday.
Corey Schwab, New Jersey Devils - Coach Pat Burns told the New Jersey Star Ledger that he would "most likely" start Schwab for Friday's game against the Ducks. Martin Brodeur would then start on Saturday versus the Kings.
Kevin Weekes, Carolina Hurricanes - Coach Paul Maurice told the Durham Herald-Sun that he had not yet decided on who will start in goal out of Weekes or Arturs Irbe. We'll go out on a limb and predict Weekes to be starting, but check back later in case there is an update.
Martin Biron, Buffalo Sabres - Biron is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Maple Leafs. This going by the premise that Coach Lindy Ruff would start him due to the fact that he recorded a shutout in his last game.
Roberto Luongo, Florida Panthers - Luongo is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Hurricanes.
Dan Cloutier, Vancouver Canucks - Cloutier is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Red Wings.
Jamie Storr, Los Angeles Kings - The Kings are disappointed in both their goalies - Storr and veteran Felix Potvin, especially after the latest incident where they combined to let in 6 goals and let a win against the Ducks slip away. Coach Andy Murray flatout stated that the goaltending has not been good, but he also said that Storr failed to capitalize on the opening for the #1 job and capture it away from Potvin.
Jeff Hackett, Boston Bruins - Hackett will arrive in Boston later today, likely in time to pratice with his new teammates in the afternoon. He will definitely be in uniform for Friday's game against the Flyers and there is a good chance that he will start as well. For the record, Hackett will get every chance in the world to become and stay the Bruins' #1 goaltender not only for this year but next as well and as a result of this, he has a considerable amount of fantasy value. Steve Shields will go back to being the backup and Andrew Raycroft will be returned to the minors.
player info
Steve Yzerman, Detroit Red Wings - Yzerman has no begun to engage in part-contact practice, participating in drills that simulate game-like situations. He also practiced on back-to-back days which is a sign that his knee responded well to the test. Obviously Yzerman is only a handful of days away from returning to the lineup and we wouldn't be surprised to see him suit up shortly after the all-star break.
Martin Havlat, Ottawa Senators - A sore arm kept Havlat out of action on Thursday against the Thrashers. It is the same injury that he suffered a few nights earlier though he was able to play one game after that which seems to indicate that his absence was merely precautionary. We will update on Havlat either later today or sometime over the weekend.
Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings - Chelios did not practice on Thursday due to a leg injury - the same injury that has been bothering him for a couple of weeks. He is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Canucks.
Derek Morris, Colorado Avalanche - Morris suffered a scary looking injury to his eye on Thursday against the Blue Jackets and had to be taken to hospital where tests came back negative. He returned to the arena later in the evening and pronounced himself ready to return to the ice but of course, the Avs staff would not allow it. Morris is one tough competitor and it doesn't appear as if he will miss much time, if any.
Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins - Lemieux did not skate on Thursday for a third consecutive day but coach Rick Kehoe expressed optimism that he would be able to get back on the ice within the next two days. Lemieux probably will not be back by early/mid next week so reserve him for the time being if you play in a daily league.
Adrian Aucoin, New York Islanders - Aucoin remains sidelined with a groin injury and will not play on Friday against the Flyers, reports the New York Newsday. Coach Peter Laviolette dubbed Aucoin as "days-to-days", suggesting that he's a bit worse off than a "day-to-day" designation.
Radek Dvorak, New York Rangers - Dvorak has apparently recovered from the mild concussion he suffered on Tuesday and will practice on Friday with the rest of the team. The Rangers also added that he will be back in the lineup for Saturday's afternoon match against the Thrashers.
