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Goalie nods: Lehner hurt, so Sabres turn to Nilsson

Buffalo Sabres v Philadelphia Flyers

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 25: Anders Nilsson #31 of the Buffalo Sabres looks on against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period at Wells Fargo Center on October 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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After injuring his hip during Tuesday’s win over Ottawa, Buffalo starter Robin Lehner won’t play against the Rangers tonight -- but, he might be well enough to serve as Anders Nilsson’s backup.

“It feels 90 percent,” Nilsson said of his hip, per the Buffalo News. “It’s a little stiff still, but it feels good.”

Lehner has been a workhorse lately, but the Sabres should have little concern going to Nilsson. He was solid against the Sens -- stopping 26 shots en route to the win -- and has posted great numbers this year (.939 save percentage, and 2.20 GAA).

Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma has yet to decide if Lehner will dress, or if the club will recall a goalie for AHL Rochester. Whatever the case, Lehner isn’t expected to be out long, and has already hinted he’ll be back in goal on Saturday, when Buffalo hosts Boston.

For New York, Henrik Lundqvist is in goal.

Elsewhere...

-- Cam Ward has been a busy man with Eddie Lack (concussion) on the shelf, and that’ll continue as he starts for the ‘Canes in Boston. Tuukka Rask appears likely for the B’s.

-- The flip-flip continues for Dallas, as Antti Niemi gets the start after Kari Lehtonen played on Tuesday (a 3-1 loss to Detroit). Pittsburgh hasn’t announced a starter yet, but Matt Murray played (and lost) to the Isles last night.

-- Braden Holtby goes for the Caps, who are hosting the Islanders. Like the Pens, no word on an Isles starter -- Thomas Greiss played last night, so Jaroslav Halak seems likely.

-- Steve Mason, who made 45 saves in a win over the Bruins on Tuesday, is back in goal for the Flyers. Ottawa will go with Mike Condon, and Andrew Hammond will back up while Craig Anderson is on a leave of absence to be with his wife.

-- The in-form Roberto Luongo (has stopped 68 of his last 70 shots faced) gets the call tonight in Detroit. He’ll be up against Petr Mrazek, who lost both his previous two meetings against the Panthers this year.

-- It’s Cam Talbot versus Connor Hellebuyck as the Oilers take on the Jets in Winnipeg. Talbot was hooked last game, a loss to the Leafs.

-- Tampa Bay will continue to ride Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has outplayed Ben Bishop this year (though Vasilevskiy had a rough game on Tuesday, allowing five goals in a blowout loss in Columbus). He’ll be up against Jake Allen, who’s riding a six-game winning streak for the Blues.

-- Good matchup in Chicago, as Cory Schneider and the Devils take on Corey Crawford and the ‘Hawks.

-- An all-Russian matchup in Colorado, where Semyon Varlamov goes back in goal after Calvin Pickard started the last two. Sergei Bobrovsky counters for the Blue Jackets.

-- Mike Smith is in goal as the Coyotes host the Kings. No word on a Los Angeles starter yet, but Peter Budaj played in last night’s 4-1 loss to San Jose.

-- The Canucks will go back to Ryan Miller, after he beat the Wild on Tuesday. Anaheim hasn’t unveiled its starter yet.