All the latest from the blue paint...
No Lindback for Buffalo
The NHL’s two worst teams -- standings-wise, anyway -- will do battle tonight when the Sabres host the Coyotes in Buffalo, and Buffalo will start little-used Matthew Hackett in net ahead of Anders Lindback, who’s been quite solid of late.
Hackett, 25, is 0-3-0 this year with a .893 save percentage and 4.34 GAA. He’s spent the majority of the season AHL Rochester, but was summoned to the Sabres after Chad Johnson went down to injury almost immediately after being acquired via trade.
In hist last outing, a 3-0 loss to Nashville, Hackett allowed three goals on 43 shots, good for a .930 save percentage.
For the Coyotes, Mike Smith will get the start in goal. Smith’s turnaround after a dreadful start has been one of the few bright spots in Arizona this season, and is worth mentioning -- the veteran has been very good in nine games this month, allowing just 21 goals on 326 shots for a .936 save percentage.
Elsewhere...
Anaheim at Boston: Frederik Andersen vs. Tuukka Rask (probable)
Kings at Isles: Jonathan Quick (probable) vs. Jaroslav Halak
Devils at Caps: Cory Schneider vs. Braden Holtby
Pens at ‘Canes: Marc-Andre Fleury vs. Cam Ward
Preds at Bolts: Pekka Rinne (probable) vs. Ben Bishop
Sharks at Wings: Antti Niemi vs. Jimmy Howard
Rangers at Sens: Cam Talbot vs. Andrew Hammond
Panthers at Leafs: Roberto Luongo vs. Jonathan Bernier
Habs at Jets: Dustin Tokarski vs. Ondrej Pavelec
Avs at Canucks: Semyon Varlamov vs. (No Vancouver starter yet.)