All the latest from the crease...
Pavelec sits, Hutchinson gets ‘Canes
Michael Hutchinson will make just his third start of the season on Thursday when the Jets take on the Hurricanes in Carolina.
The Jets, enjoying tremendous success this season largely due to the efforts of starter Ondrej Pavelec (7-5-2, 1.99 GAA, .928 save percentage), are hoping Hutchinson can replicate the success from his last start -- a 1-0 shutout of the Blackhawks on Nov. 2, in which he made 33 saves.
“He was going back in sooner rather than later the moment that Chicago game was done,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice, per the Winnipeg Sun. “You just don’t want to leave a guy who has had a performance like that out too long.
“If he has another strong outing, it leaves us in a position to look at the next block of four games and (find) another start for him.”
For Carolina, Cam Ward will get the nod in goal.
Elsewhere...
Avs at Rangers: Semyon Varlamov vs. Henrik Lundqvist
Bruins at Habs: Carey Price for Montreal, no word yet on a Boston starter.
Sharks at Bolts: Antti Niemi vs. Ben Bishop
Preds at Blues: Jake Allen for St. Louis, Pekka Rinne likely for Nashville.
Coyotes at Flames: Mike Smith vs. Jonas Hiller
Sens at Oilers: Craig Anderson vs. Ben Scrivens
Sabres at Wild: Jhonas Enroth vs. Darcy Kuemper
Dallas at Los Angeles: Kari Lehtonen likely for Dallas, Martin Jones likely for L.A.