Interesting times in goal for San Jose as the Red Wings roll into town.
On Thursday, the club recalled backup Alex Stalock from the AHL Barracuda after a fairly successful conditioning stint -- he went 2-0-0 with a 1.96 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage in two games from Jan. 3-6.
His recall comes at a time where the club’s No. 1, Martin Jones, isn’t playing all that well.
More, from CSN Bay Area:
In his last 14 starts, Jones is 5-7-2 with a 3.13 goals-against average and .886 save percentage. He has allowed at least four goals on six different occasions.
Perhaps even more concerning is that Jones’ numbers have deteriorated with every passing month:
October: 1.74 GAA, .938 SP November: 2.45 GAA, .914 SP December: 3.06 GAA, .889 SP
Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer has been mildly critical of Jones during this slump, but seems determined to stick with his starting netminder through good times and bad.
That said, it’ll be interesting to see how Stalock’s good stint in the minors translates to the NHL level, and if he can steal some starts from Jones.
For the Red Wings, Petr Mrazek gets the nod.
Elsewhere...
-- Braden Holtby starts for the Caps in Brooklyn, while Jaroslav Halak will return from a five-game absence to start for the Isles.
-- Sounds like Roberto Luongo will be in goal again for the Panthers tonight. Ottawa will counter with Craig Anderson.
-- It’s Steve Mason versus Devan Dubnyk when the Flyers take on the Wild in Minnesota.
-- The red-hot Connor Hellebuyck, named an AHL All-Star today, goes for the Jets in Dallas. The Stars counter with Kari Lehtonen.
-- Louis Domingue versus Karri Ramo as the Coyotes take on the Flames in Calgary.
-- James Reimer will make his first start since Dec. 3 when the Leafs take on the Kings in L.A. No word yet on a starter from the black-and-silver.