Tim Thomas was the first goalie off the ice for the Bruins at their game-day skate in Chicago, according to Boston.com. That means Thomas will likely be the starting netminder when the puck drops Friday night at the United Center.
The start will be the third straight for Thomas. He started on Dec. 4 in Montreal and gave up five goals in just two periods before he was lifted in favor of Tuukka Rask. The following two games were started by Rask, who picked up two wins over the Maple Leafs in the process.
Thomas then started against the Islanders in New York, allowing three goals in an overtime loss. Thomas couldn't pick up a win in his next start, surrendering two goals to the Flyers on Monday night.
On the season, Thomas is 7-4-4 with a 2.48 GAA and .914 save percentage. By comparison, Rask is 9-2-2 with a 1.97 GAA and .932 save percentage. Many fans have been clamoring for Rask to get more starts in net, but it's clear that the Bruins — who signed Thomas to a four-year extension in the offseason — are committed to Thomas as being the No. 1 goalie.
Boston.com also reported that Antti Niemi will start for the Blackhawks. Niemi is 6-1-1 with a 1.50 GAA and .937 save percentage, while veteran Cristobal Huet is 15-7-2 with a 2.09 GAA and .913 save percentage. Huet posted a shutout on Wednesday night against the Blues, while Niemi shut out the Lightning in the Blackhawks' previous game. In all, Huet and Niemi have a combined shutout streak of seven periods.
