All the latest from the blue paint...
San Jose looking forward?
All but mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, San Jose will sit veteran -- and soon-to-be UFA -- Antti Neimi for the third straight game tonight, and once again start Alex Stalock in goal when it takes on the Avs.
Stalock, who’s started three straight only one other time this year, inherited the net after Niemi fell ill two games ago and has performed reasonably well, helping the Sharks gain three of a possible four points by stopping 47 of his last 51 shots faced.
It’ll be interesting to see how much the Sharks play the 27-year-old over their final six games of the regular season. Stalock is under contract for next year and while there are doubt he can be a full-time starter in the NHL, he will (presumably) be with the organization in 2015-16 whereas it’s unlikely Niemi will be back.
For Colorado, Reto Berra gets the nod.
Elsewhere...
Leafs at Sabres: Jonathan Bernier vs. Anders Lindback
Flyers at Pens: Steve Mason vs. Marc-Andre Fleury
Oilers at Ducks: Ben Scrivens vs. Frederik Andersen