The morning skate is just about over here at K-Plex in Arlington. Jose Theodore was the first goaltender off the ice, so it certainly looks like he will get his first start since a 3-2 loss at Vancouver.
Karl Alzner is out on the ice alone with the assistant coaches, so it looks like he will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season. He was a healthy scratch for a game in the playoffs last year as well, but otherwise when he’s been with the team he’s been in the lineup.
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UPDATE: Bruce Boudreau said he still expects Tom Poti back for Wednesday’s game in San Jose. Poti was on the ice for a long time this morning, through the team workout and part of the post-practice session with the assistant coaches.
Jose Theodore will indeed make his first start in 10 days tonight against the last-place Hurricanes. Boudreau said the team hasn’t decided if all three goalies will go to California yet or not. Obviously if Michal Neuvirth doesn’t go, then Semyon Varalmov would have to be considered close to returning. If Varlamov doesn’t go, then maybe he’s still got a ways to go.
“There is nothing he needs to show — we want him to play good,” Boudreau said.”We have three good goalies and we anticipate that everybody will push everybody. It is not the most ideal situation in the world, but at the same time it is the situation.
“When Jose didn’t play in the playoffs last year he was so professional. At the beginning of the year when he went through his problems he was so profressional. I expect him to come out and give us a fabulous game.”
As for Alzner not playing, Boudreau said Tyler Sloan deserves to play again. Sloan has not played in six of the past seven games.
“We survived without [Alzner] playing before,” Boudreau said. “We’ve got nine good defensemen here. The last time Tyler played was in Edmonton. He had an assist and played a great game, so I just don’t think it is fair to keep him out all the time.”
