Budaj will start in the crease Friday against the Rangers, Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times reports. "He (Budaj) really gives his team the chance to win every night. That's really what we're looking for from him tonight," said goalie coach Bill Ranford.

EDGE Analysis

Budaj joined the Kings on Thursday as an emergency recall, and the indication that he'll start Friday suggests Jonathan Quick's lower-body injury is still causing him issues. The veteran netminder has a past as a starting goaltender in the mid-2000s with the Avalanche, and a spectacular showing with AHL Ontario this season (26-9-3 record with a 1.58 GAA and .935 save percentage) has finally earned him a chance back in the NHL for the first time since 2013-14. However, his stint with the club may not last long, as the 33-year-old netminder will likely be the odd man out when Quick returns. In his start Friday, Budaj will need to prepare for a Red Wings club that's averaged 3.00 goals per game thus far in February.