All the latest from the blue paint…
Finally some relief for Columbus
The Columbus Blue Jackets broke their nine-game slump last night. Now they get Sergei Bobrovsky back in net.
It’s not fair to pin their nine-game losing streak on Curtis McElhinney and Anton Forsberg alone - Bob was in net for the first two defeats in that skid - yet the Blue Jackets appear to be healing up. It’s an open question if they can dig themselves out of a month-sized hole, but Bobrovsky’s return seems like a sign of better things to come.
That said, Bobrovsky has some work to do himself. He’s just 4-4-0 with a .908 save percentage so far in 2014-15. For a guy turning down extension offers in a contract year, that’s not up to snuff.
The San Jose Sharks are likely to trot out Antti Niemi against Bobrovsky.
Elsewhere ...
Hurricanes at Bruins: Cam Ward tries to continue his recent strong work for Carolina while Tuukka Rask attempts to turn things around for Boston.
Wild at Stars: Darcy Kuemper likely for Minnesota and Kari Lehtonen expected for Dallas.
Ducks at Kings: Frederik Anersen seeks redemption for Anaheim against Jonathan Quick and Los Angeles.
Jets at Predators: Ondrej Pavelec vs. Pekka Rinne.
Maple Leafs at Sabres: James Reimer is expected for Toronto, Michal Neuvirth’s in for Buffalo.
Flyers at Canadiens: Ray Emery may get a rare start for Philly against Carey Price and Montreal.
Rangers at Penguins: Henrik Lundqvist vs. Marc-Andre Fleury.
Islanders at Lightning: Chad Johnson vs. Ben Bishop.
Avalanche at Devils: Semyon Varlamov’s in for Colorado, Cory Schneider expected for New Jersey.
Capitals at Blues: Justin Peters vs. Brian Elliott.
Senators at Flames: Craig Anderson vs. Karri Ramo.