News and notes from around the crease...
“Duuuuuuubs” takes a break
For the first time since Jan. 15, the Minnesota Wild will start a goalie not named Devan Dubnyk.
Dubnyk, who’s made 39 consecutive starts -- one with Arizona, 38 with the Wild -- will be dropped from the lineup entirely tonight as Darcy Kuemper will start in goal against Nashville, with Niklas Backstrom backing up.Dubnyk’s 39 straight starts was the most in the #NHL since Evgeni Nabokov started 43 in a row for San Jose in 2007-08. Per Elias
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 9, 2015
While kicking back and relaxing, Dubnyk can reflect on what’s been a truly impressive -- and borderline unbelievable -- bounce-back campaign. He’s 36-13-4 on the year with a 2.04 GAA and .930 save percentage, numbers made even more remarkable given that, last year, he bounced around three different organizations and finished with Montreal’s AHL affiliate in Hamilton.
For the Predators, Pekka Rinne is the likely starter.
Elsewhere...
Sens at Rangers: Andrew Hammond vs. Henrik Lundqvist
‘Canes at Flyers: Cam Ward vs. Ray Emery
Wings at Habs: Jimmy Howard vs. Carey Price
Devils at Bolts: Keith Kinkaid vs. Ben Bishop
Bruins at Panthers: Tuukka Rask (probable) vs. Roberto Luongo
‘Hawks at Blues: Corey Crawford (probable) vs. Jake Allen
Jets at Avs: Ondrej Pavelec vs. Reto Berra
Kings at Flames: Jonathan Quick (probable) vs. Jonas Hiller
Sharks at Oilers: Antti Niemi vs. Laurent Brossoit
Coyotes at Canucks: Mike Smith vs. Eddie Lack