Peter Budaj

Kings' Peter Budaj expected to start in goal against Columbus

Los Angeles Kings goalie Peter Budaj is expected to start versus the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

What It Means:

Budaj has been brilliant in his last two starts, stopping 68-of-69 shots with a shutout, versus the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins. Unfortunately, the Kings are facing the red-hot Blue Jackets who have won nine straight games with an average of 4.0 goals scored per game. The only positive is Columbus will be starting backup netminder Curtis McElhinney instead of the NHL's wins leader, Sergei Bobrovsky.

Our models project 2.8 goals allowed, 24.4 saves and a 40.0 percent chance of winning for our 22nd ranked goalie option -- out of 24 -- on Tuesday, Budaj.