Thursday`s streaking starting goaltenders
Associated Press
Thu, Nov 30, 2006
Information taken from Associated Press NHL previews.
Anaheim Ducks at Vancouver Canucks Total: 5
Anaheim has won all five of its visits to Vancouver since the start of the 2003-04 season, outscoring the Canucks 17-5 in those meetings. The Ducks earned their most lopsided victory of this season at GM Place, a 6-0 rout Nov. 9. Jean-Sebastien Giguere stopped 20 shots for one of his three shutouts in 2006-07.
The Canucks have totaled only two goals over their last three games, but goalie Roberto Luongo made 24 saves Tuesday for his second shutout of the season as Vancuover defeated Columbus 1-0 to open a five-game homestand.
Luongo had a rough night against Anaheim earlier this month, allowing three goals on nine shots before being replaced in net by Dany Sabourin. He has fared well in the past against Anaheim, however, going 4-3 with a 1.98 goals-against average in eight career starts versus the Ducks.
Montreal Canadiens at Carolina Hurricanes Total: 6
Carolina looks to avoid its fourth loss in five games Thursday when it hosts the Montreal Canadiens and red-hot goaltender Cristobal Huet.
Huet is 6-0-0 with a 1.39 goals-against average while appearing in seven of Montreal`s eight games since Nov. 13. Huet has allowed more than two goals once in that stretch, and never more than three.
Huet registered his second shutout of the season by making 36 saves before stopping two of the three shootout attempts he faced in the Canadiens` 1-0 win over Florida on Tuesday.
The Hurricanes have scored a combined three goals in their last three losses.
Dallas Stars at Washington Capitals Total: 6
Dallas has allowed a league-low 51 goals, but Marty Turco has been shaky of late. The goaltender is 0-3 with a 3.27 goals-against average in his last four starts, but has been excellent in his career against the Capitals, going 3-0 with a 1.34 GAA.
Washington has not defeated the Stars since a 3-2 overtime win on Dec. 28, 2001.
Goaltender Olaf Kolzig, in particular, has been unable to catch a break against the Stars. Kolzig is 0-9 with a tie and a 3.50 GAA versus Dallas.
On Tuesday, though, the 15-year veteran made a season-high 48 saves as the Capitals ended a six-game losing skid with a 5-2 victory over Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
Washington is 4-0-2 when allowing 40 or more shots this season, and Kolzig has made 20 or more saves during the third period in each of those four victories.
Probable Goalies
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Antero Niittymaki, Philadelphia Flyers - Niittymaki is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Islanders, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News. Robert Esche will be sidelined 2-4 weeks after undergoing groin surgery.
Dan Cloutier, Los Angeles Kings - Cloutier is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Coyotes, reports the LA Times. Mathieu Garon was scheduled to make his fourth consecutive start, but he suffered a groin injury at the end of practice on Wednesday and may not even be able to serve as the backup. For more details, please refer to Garon's entry below.
Ray Emery, Ottawa Senators - Emery is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Panthers, reports the official Senators website. Martin Gerber finally had a great game last time out, but coach Bryan Murray probably doesn't want to open himself up to criticism by starting him a second straight time - that too at home. Still, Gerber has at least now given himself a chance to win back the #1 spot that Emery gained from him earlier in the year.
Marc Denis, Tampa Bay Lightning - Denis is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Bruins. Lately, Johan Holmqvist has been winning games and Denis has been losing them, but if we know anything about John Tortorella, it's only a matter of time before he goes back to Denis.
Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins - Thomas is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Lightning. He's playing very well as of late and it's hard to imagine Hannu Toivonen getting much work as long as that's happening.
Mike Smith, Dallas Stars - Smith is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Capitals.
Olaf Kolzig, Washington Capitals - Kolzig is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Stars. The stats don't really show it, but Kolzig has been exceptional this year and his backup Brent Johnson hasn't been too bad himself either.
Cristobal Huet, Montreal Canadiens - Huet is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Hurricanes.
Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes - Ward is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Canadiens.
Andrew Raycroft, Toronto Maple Leafs - Raycroft is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Thrashers.
Kari Lehtonen, Atlanta Thrashers - Lehtonen is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Maple Leafs.
Alex Auld, Florida Panthers - Auld is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Senators.
Rick DiPietro, New York Islanders - DiPietro is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Flyers.
Chris Mason, Nashville Predators - Mason is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Blues.
Curtis Sanford, St. Louis Blues - Sanford is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Predators.
Jose Theodore, Colorado Avalanche - Theodore is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Oilers.
Dwayne Roloson, Edmonton Oilers - Roloson is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Avalanche.
Curtis Joseph, Phoenix Coyotes - Joseph is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Kings.
Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Anaheim Ducks - Giguere is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Canucks.
Roberto Luongo, Florida Panthers - Luongo is the probable starter for Thursday's game against the Ducks.
Mathieu Garon, Los Angeles Kings - Garon suffered a groin injury during yesterday's practice and has been ruled out of Thursday's game against the Kings, reports the LA Times. The injury happened right at the end of practice but Garon is unsure how serious it is saying that he's never had this type of an injury before and has no idea how long it takes to recover from. He added that there's a chance he may feel fine tomorrow (in which case we assume he'll dress as the backup) and told the media "there is no reason to panic". Ummm, yeah there is...cause Dan Cloutier has to start now. In any case, the Kings will recall Barry Brust as they don't want to risk losing Jason LaBarbera (remember him?) to re-entry waivers but Cloutier, who recently was upset at his lack of playing time, should get all starts until Garon is back.
Robert Esche, Philadelphia Flyers - Esche will be sidelined for two weeks and possibly as long as a month after undergoing surgery on his groin, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News. The surgery, called an "adductor release", loosens the adductor muscles that affect the groin and inner thigh and helps explain the discomfort Esche has been having for a while. This news solidifies Antero Niittymaki's grasp on the #1 job in Philadelphia and he should be a very busy netminder of the next few weeks as unproven Martin Houle will be the backup.
Year-to-date: 663 / 724 = 91.6%
Player news
Ales Hemsky, Edmonton Oilers - Hemsky left Tuesday's game against the Ducks in the first period with an injured shoulder and did not return, reports TSN. He was scheduled to undergo X-rays today to determine the extent of the injury but coach Craig MacTavish estimates that the winger will be sidelined for 1-2 weeks, unless the X-rays reveal something more minor or serious than originally thought.
Martin Havlat, Chicago Blackhawks - Havlat participated in practice with his teammates for the first time on Tuesday but was not assigned a line, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. Coach Denis Savard believes Havlat's likely return date is either Tuesday against the Wild or next Thursday against the Coyotes.