Earlier in the week, we identified five backup goalies that weren’t getting it done for their teams.
Al Montoya was definitely not a candidate for that list. The 30-year-old has been excellent when called upon to give Roberto Luongo a night off.
Montoya will get his eighth start of the season tonight in New Jersey. He’s 4-1-1 with a .929 save percentage. In his last outing, a week ago against Washington, he nearly shut out the Capitals in a 4-1 victory.
The Panthers enter tonight’s game two points back of the last wild-card spot in the East -- a spot that’s held by none other than the Devils.
Cory Schneider will be in goal for New Jersey. (He’s been pretty good, too.)
Elsewhere...
--- John Gibson for the desperate Ducks in Buffalo. Chad Johnson for the Sabres.
--- Jacob Markstrom made the aforementioned list. He’ll start tonight for the reeling Canucks in Philadelphia. Steve Mason for the Flyers.
--- Martin Jones for the Sharks in Toronto. Garret Sparks for the Leafs, after Jonathan Bernier remained winless Tuesday.
--- Jonathan Quick expected for the Kings in Montreal. Mike Condon for the Habs.
--- Antti Raanta has been a good backup again this season. He’ll start for the Rangers tonight in Minnesota. Devan Dubnyk returns from injury for the Wild. He hasn’t played since getting hurt Dec. 5.
--- Pekka Rinne expected for the Predators in St. Louis. Jake Allen for the Blues.
--- Cam Talbot for the Oilers in Chicago. Corey Crawford for the Blackhawks.
--- Karri Ramo for the Flames in Dallas. Kari Lehtonen for the Stars.
--- Thomas Greiss, another backup enjoying a fine season, for the Islanders in Colorado. Red-hot Semyon Varlamov for the Avs.
--- Curtis McElhinney (he made the list) for the Blue Jackets in Arizona. Anders Lindback (he made it, too) for the Coyotes.