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Goalie nods: Prospects Comrie, Gillies make NHL debuts

2013 NHL Draft

NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 30: Eric Comrie, drafted #59 overall in the second round by the Winnipeg Jets, tries on his new team jersey after he was drafted during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center on June 30, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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The future will be on display tonight for Calgary and Winnipeg.

Let’s start with the Jets, who will give Eric Comrie his first NHL start in Columbus. Comrie, 21, was Winnipeg’s second-round pick in 2013 -- 59th overall, the fourth goalie off the board -- and is currently in his second full season with AHL Manitoba.

Though he’s thought of highly within the organization, chances are Comrie isn’t quite ready to make the leap to the NHL full-time. The Jets got burned this year going with a relatively inexperienced combo in Connor Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson and, while both will (presumably) be back next year, it’s safe to think GM Kevin Cheveldayoff might bring in a veteran to stabilize the position.

Still, this is a good opportunity for Comrie to show he is, in fact, a future No. 1.

Now, over to the Flames.

As mentioned yesterday, John Gillies was recalled after an injury to backup netminder Chad Johnson. Calgary isn’t wasting any time in seeing what they’ve got in Gillies, as he’ll get the call tonight in Los Angeles.

Gillies, 23, is a former Providence College standout taken by Calgary in the third round (75th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft. Like Comrie in Winnipeg, he’s considered to be the club’s potential goalie of the future.

As for Johnson, there’s been no update on his status, so it’s unclear how long Gillies will be in the bigs.

And as for the opposing goalies? Comrie faces Joonas Korpisalo, while Gillies takes on Ben Bishop.

Elsewhere...

-- After making 22 saves in a win over Nashville on Tuesday, Jaroslav Halak goes back in for the Isles. The host ‘Canes are going with Eddie Lack, who makes his second start since suffering that scary neck injury against Detroit in late March.

-- Matt Murray makes his fourth straight start as the Pens take on the Devils in New Jersey. Cory Schneider gets back in after Keith Kinkaid shut out the Flyers on Tuesday.

-- Big matchup in Boston tonight, and both the Bruins and visiting Senators will start their No. 1s: Craig Anderson and Tuukka Rask.

-- Equally big game in Toronto, where the Bolts look to keep their season alive. They’ll go with Andrei Vasilevskiy, while the Leafs will counter with Frederik Andersen.

-- Looks to be Jake Allen against James Reimer as the Blues visit the Panthers.

-- In Dallas, Juuse Saros appears to be the Nashville starter, while Antti Niemi will go for the Stars.

-- John Gibson, who we wrote about earlier, makes his second consecutive start as the Ducks look to clinch the Pacific Division tonight. The visiting ‘Hawks will go with Corey Crawford.

-- It’s Devan Dubnyk in goal for the Wild, who visit Colorado. No word yet on who the Avs will start.

-- Louis Domingue, who has played well down the stretch (rebounding from a difficult start in the process), gets another start as the Coyotes host the Canucks. Vancouver has yet to name a starter, but Ryan Miller appears likely.

-- Finally, yet another big game as the Sharks and Oilers do battle in San Jose. Second place in the Pacific is up for grabs, and the home-ice advantage that comes with it, so both No. 1s will go: Cam Talbot for Edmonton, Martin Jones for the Sharks.