News and notes from around the crease...
Fleury takes a seat
Interesting decision from the Penguins tonight, as they’ll give backup Thomas Greiss the start against the Wild at Xcel -- even though Marc-Andre Fleury, the NHL’s reigning third star of the week, is in the midst of a two-game shutout streak.#Pens Coach Johnston: This is a great opportunity for (Thomas Greiss) to face a very good team. We’ll try to get him 4-5 games in Nov.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 4, 2014
The Penguins kick off a five-game roadie starting tonight and Greiss hasn’t played since Oct. 23, so there are some reasons to get him in. That said, Fleury has been nothing short of outstanding lately -- he actually has three shutouts in his last four starts -- and tonight’s game is one of Pittsburgh’s bigger tests; Minnesota is third in the NHL in goals per game (3.40) with a perfect 5-0-0 record at home, and the Penguins have some “easier” games on this trip, including a stop in Buffalo on Saturday.
For the Wild, Darcy Kuemper will be in goal.
Elsewhere...
Panthers at Bruins: Roberto Luongo vs. Tuukka Rask
Oilers at Flyers: Viktor Fasth vs. Steve Mason
Flames at Caps: Jonas Hiller vs. Braden Holtby
‘Canes at Jackets: Cam Ward vs. Curtis McElhinney
Wings at Sens: Jimmy Howard vs. Craig Anderson
‘Hawks at Habs: Corey Crawford vs. Carey Price
Blues at Devils: Jake Allen vs. Cory Schneider
Preds at Jets: Carter Hutton vs. Ondrej Pavelec
Kings at Stars: Kari Lehtonen for Dallas, Jonathan Quick likely for L.A.
Canucks at Avs: Ryan Miller vs. Semyon Varlamov
Leafs at Coyotes: Mike Smith for Arizona, Jonathan Bernier likely for Toronto.