Philipp Kurashev will likely draw back into Chicago's lineup on Friday, resulting in Anderson being a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Anderson is averaging 12:24 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A) in 18 games this season.
Joey Anderson will be a healthy scratch on Friday, allowing Kurashev to re-enter the lineup. Kurashev has not played the last four games. After scoring an impressive 54 points (18G / 36A) in 75 games last season, the 25-year-old Kurashev only has five points (3G / 2A) in 28 games this season.
Edvinsson has not played the last two games for the Red Wings but could draw back into the lineup on Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 21-year-old defenseman has primarily played on the Red Wings' top defensive unit alongside Moritz Seider, scoring 13 points (3G / 10A) in 30 games.
Chiarot missed his first game of the season on Monday but could draw back into the lineup on Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 33-year-old Chiarot is averaging 21:02 time-on-ice, recording 70 blocks, 49 hits, and five points (1G / 4A) in 33 games.
The Blues snapped in a three-game losing skid in their final game before the holiday break, courtesy of a 4-0 shutout victory by Jordan Binnington over the Detroit Red Wings. However, they will revert to Hofer on Friday against the Nashville Predators. Hofer saved 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 2-1 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers. The 24-year-old Hofer has a 2.63 GAA and .909 SV% in 12 games this season (7-3-1). The Blues enter Friday's contest as +118 home underdogs against a Nashville Predators club with points in four straight (3-0-1).
Oettinger had the night off in the Stars' final game before the holiday break but will likely return to the crease on Friday against the Minnesota Wild. The 26-year-old Oettinger has a 2.42 GAA and .910 SV% in 25 games this season (16-9-0). He saved 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 2-1 win over Minnesota on November 16th. The Stars enter the action on Friday as -169 home favorites.
Mrazek has only played one of the last eight games while battling an injury but will likely return to the crease on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres. In his most recent outing, Mrazek allowed five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) in a 6-4 loss to the Calgary Flames. He has a 2.94 GAA and .902 SV% in 21 appearances this season (7-12-1). The Blackhawks enter Friday's contest as +144 road underdogs against a Sabres squad that snapped a 13-game losing skid on Monday.
In their first game with new head coach Todd McLellan, the Red Wings will turn to Talbot between the pipes. The 37-year-old Talbot allowed three goals on 20 shots (.850 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-0 loss over the St. Louis Blues. He has a 2.79 GAA and .912 SV% in 18 games this season (6-8-2). The Red Wings enter Friday's contest as +132 home underdogs against a Toronto Maple Leafs club they defeated 4-2 on December 14th.
Lazar returned from a 21-game absence due to a knee injury last Tuesday and played 11:41 time-on-ice but has not played since. The 29-year-old Lazar, in his second season with the Devils, was a lineup regular before the injury, registering two points (1G / 1A) and a monstrous 36 hits in his first 12 games.
The Linus Ullmark (upper body) also sidelined from Friday's practice, Ottawa has recalled Mads Sogaard and Leevi Merilainen from Belleville (AHL). The 32-year-old Forsberg has a 2.95 GAA and .889 SV% in 11 games this season (4-6-0).
Ullmark suffered an upper-body injury in the team's final game before the holiday break, exiting the contest after one period. The 31-year-old Ullmark was finally starting to play to his potential, posting an exquisite .954 SV% in nine games (8-0-1) before his injury. Ottawa has recalled goalies Mads Sogaard and Leevi Meilainen from the Belleville Senators (AHL), which is likely a sign that Ullmark's injury will keep him out of the lineup. Ullmark will not travel on Ottawa's upcoming road trip.
Merzlikins was battling an undisclosed injury, preventing him from playing the Blue Jackets' previous game, but he appears no worse for wear and will return to the crease on Friday against the Boston Bruins. Merzlikins allowed five goals on 30 shots (.833 SV%) in his previous outing, a 5-4 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. He has a 3.13 GAA and .889 SV% in 22 games this season (10-9-3). The Blue Jackets enter Friday's contest as +141 home underdogs against a Bruins club they will play again on Saturday.
In their first game with new head coach Todd McLellan, the Red Wings will likely turn to Talbot between the pipes. The 37-year-old Talbot allowed three goals on 20 shots (.850 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-0 loss over the St. Louis Blues. He has a 2.79 GAA and .912 SV% in 18 games this season (6-8-2). The Red Wings enter Friday's contest as +132 home underdogs against a Toronto Maple Leafs club they defeated 4-2 on December 14th.
Severson was a surprise scratch on Monday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. The 30-year-old Severson is averaging 22:25 time-on-ice, recording 17 points (6G / 11A), 67 blocks, and 22 hits in 34 games.
Ostapchuk has been a lineup-regular for Ottawa lately, but regularly been a part of paper transactions, sending him down tot Belleville (AHL) for salary cap reasons. The 21-year-old Ostapchuk has played 14 consecutive games for Ottawa, recording two points (0G / 2A).
Ottawa has recalled goalies Mads Sogaard and Leevi Meilainen from the Belleville Senators (AHL), which is likely a sign that Linus Ullmark's injury will keep him out of the lineup. Ullmark suffered an upper-body injury in the team's final game before the holiday break, exiting the contest after one period.
Ottawa has recalled goalies Mads Sogaard and Leevi Meilainen from the Belleville Senators (AHL), which is likely a sign that Linus Ullmark's injury will keep him out of the lineup. Ullmark suffered an upper-body injury in the team's final game before the holiday break, exiting the contest after one period.
The Devils have won five of their last six (5-1-0) and will likely roll with Markstrom between the pipes on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 34-year-old Markstrom has been tremendous lately, allowing only three combined goals in his last five games (5-0-0), posting an outstanding .960 SV%. He is riding a two-game shutout streak and has a 2.12 GAA and .912 SV% in 26 games this season (18-6-2). The Devils enter Friday's contest as -125 home favorites in the front end of a back-to-back set against the Hurricanes.
The Sabres snapped a league-worst 13-game losing skid in their previous outing when Luukkonen saved 27 of 28 shots (.964 SV%) in a 7-1 win over the New York Islanders. It was only the second time in nine games that Luukkonen has allowed fewer than three goals in a game (1-6-2). He has a 3.03 GAA and .895 SV% in 24 appearances this season (9-11-23). The Sabres enter Friday's contest as -160 home favorites against a Chicago Blackhawks club amid a two-game losing skid.
DeSimone is an undrafted 30-year-old defenseman that has seven points (2G / 5A) in 38 career NHL games. He has three points (0G / 3A) in 12 games with the Utica Comets (AHL) this season,
