Goalie Announcements (Feb 5)

We're back to some busy nights again in the NHL and it couldn't come too soon.  12 games on the docket tonight, making this one of the bigger posts in quite some time, so here's hoping that it will all get done in time today.

Let's get right to it then.

Robin Lehner (Chelsea) versus Tuukka Rask (Jesse)
The Islanders and Bruins go head-to-head, but we have only seen the confirmation of Tuukka Rask going for the home side tonight.  This will be the first of two starts for Jesse tonight, his team has already posted a couple of points, so it's off to a good start.

Devan Dubnyk (Wes) versus Linus Ullmark (Steve)
The Wild are in Buffalo to take on the Sabres and again, it's only the home side that has their starting goalie confirmed at the time of this post.  Linus Ullmark has been tapped to go for the Sabres, giving Steve a start tonight.  Steve's team is still without a point after the first night of play this week, but it's a busy night, so there will be lots of help for his team, one would think.

Jordan Binnington (N/A) versus James Reimer (Dale C.)
Dale C. gets the first of two starts in Florida tonight, as the Panthers will turn to James Reimer with the Blues in town.  Dale's team got off the mark with a point on Monday night and with some goalie help, he could be in good shape for the top of the table.

Jack Campbell (N/A) versus Keith Kinkaid (Neil)
Neil gets a start in the swamp tonight, as the Devils host the Kings.  Keith Kinkaid has been given the nod for the home side, while Neil's team is off to a really good start this week, posting 5 points on Monday night, 2 points back of the weekly leader.  With the Kings struggling for consistency, this could be a good night for 2 points.

Curtis McElhinney (N/A) versus Matt Murray (Scott)
Scott gets his first start out of Matt Murray and the Penguins tonight, as his team tries to get out of the hockey pool basement.  His team opens up play tonight 18 points behind Derek B.'s team for 24th place and he now has a couple of solid starters, while Derek does not.  It's a good way to be for Scott's team, one would think.

Jacob Markstrom (Chelsea) versus Braden Holtby (Stacey C.)
Both the Canucks and the Capitals have their starters figured out for tonight, as Chelsea possibly will have her second start of the night here, Jacob Markstrom working back-to-back nights, while Stacey C. tries to get his first points of the week with a Braden Holtby start at the other end.

Chad Johnson (N/A) versus Carey Price (Stacey M.)
Stacey M.'s team has yet to find the scoreboard this week, but a start from her main man, Carey Price, when the Canadiens face the Ducks, who are on back-to-back nights as well.  Stacey's team is looking to maintain 2nd place in the standings, starting play only 4 points clear of 3rd place.

Marc-Andre Fleury (Troy) versus Andrei Vasilevskiy (Dale C.)
Very interesting match-up in Tampa Bay, when the Golden Knights take on the Lightning, both among the skaters and the top end goalie match-up as well.  Troy gets his only start from Marc-Andre Fleury, while Dale gets his second start of the night out of Andrei Vasilevskiy, the two pool teams are in the top 10, separated by 13 points at the start of play tonight.  A little bit of hockey pool intrigue to really round this one out.

Calvin Pickard (N/A) versus Pekka Rinne (John P.)
The Coyotes and Predators go in Nashville tonight, John P. getting the only hockey pool start out of this one, thanks to Pekka Rinne and the home side.  John's team really fell off the map a bit in the second segment of the season, but is looking to rebound with a huge third segment, possibly taking his 17th place team back into the top half of the standings.

Martin Jones (Brenda & Seward) versus Connor Hellebuyck (Jeremy)
Another big Western Conference battle in Winnipeg, when the San Jose Sharks take on the Jets.  Brenda & Seward get their second start of the week and in as many nights with Martin Jones getting the call for the visitors, while Jeremy is very much in the same boat for starts this week, seeing Connor Hellebuyck getting the nod for the home side.

Sergei Bobrovsky (Kristy & Don) versus Philipp Grubauer (Jesse)
The goaltending match-up was completely confirmed for the Jackets and the Avalanche tonight, as Kristy & Don get their only start from the visitors from Columbus with Sergei Bobrovsky in net, while Jesse gets two starts tonight, his second is this one from Philipp Grubauer and the Avalanche.  The duo starts 8 points out of 3rd place, while Jesse's team is 37 points back.

Cam Ward (N/A) versus Cam Talbot (Mike)
Finally, the Oilers play host to the Blackhawks tonight and the home side is giving a spin in the crease to Cam Talbot tonight, which would make Mike a pretty happy camper, probably more so if his team wasn't 44 points back of the money.  That might be too much of a gap to overcome this year, but more amazing things have happened in the pool... or at least I think so.