Ersson was replaced by Carter Hart in Thursday's 4-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks due to dehydration and will be a game-time decision on Friday against the Seattle Kraken. On the back end of a back-to-back, despite Hart playing a portion of the third period, common logic dictates that Hart will start on Friday regardless of Ersson's ability to suit up.
Konecny played only 14:55 on Thursday before leaving the contest due to an illness and will be a game-time decision against the Seattle Kraken on Friday. After a cold stretch through most of November, scoring only four points (3G / 1A) in 13 games, Konecny has flipped a switch, scoring 13 points (5G / 8A) in his last 13.
Sergachev remains day-to-day and is expected to return shortly but will miss a fourth straight game on Saturday. Haydn Fleury will likely remain in the Lightning lineup Saturday and Darren Raddysh will continue to operate the Lightning No.2 PP unit.
Buchnevich missed Thursday's practice due to illness but was a full participant Friday and is expected to be in the lineup vs. Colorado. The 28-year-old left-winger has been one of the Blues' most productive forward this season with his 12 goals, 28 points, 87 SOG, 22 PIMs and +5 plus/minus through 32 games played this season.
Hanley played in the last four games for the Stars, his longest stretch of the season, but will be a healthy scratch on Friday, allowing Nils Lundkvist to re-enter the lineup. In 13 games this season, Hanley is averaging 12:16 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A) and 12 hits.
Wedgewood will start for the sixth straight game on Wednesday as he continues to be a mainstay between the pipes for the Stars, with Jake Oettinger still week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Wedgewood was terrific in a losing effort on Wednesday, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%), but did not receive ample goal support as the Stars fell 2-1 to the St. Louis Blues. In their first matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks this season, the Stars are enormous -378 home favourites and will face off against them again on Sunday.
Despite a heroic effort from Joel Hofer in the Blues' last contest, in which he saved 39 of 40 shots (.975 SV%) in a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars, they will likely turn back to Binnington on Friday. Binnington has allowed five goals in each of his last two outings, posting an abysmal .767 SV%, but managed to salvage a 1-1-0 record. The Blues, who have won three straight, are +147 home underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche team that they demolished 8-2 on November 11th.
Lindgren did not play in the last game for the Capitals but will return to the crease after Darcy Kuemper allowed five goals in a 5-1 loss against the New York Rangers on Wednesday. Lindgren only has two wins in his last five games (2-1-2) but has allowed three or fewer goals in each contest, posting a dazzling .937 SV%. The Capitals are +133 road underdogs against the New York Islanders on Friday, despite defeating them 3-2 less than two weeks ago.
After undergoing offseason shoulder surgery and prolonged contract negotiations, Bear signed a two-year, $4.125 million contract with the Washington Capitals on Thursday but will not make his debut yet. The 25-year-old Bear played 61 games with the Vancouver Canucks last season, scoring 16 points (3G / 13A), recording a +6 plus/minus, and registering 82 blocks while averaging 18:32 time-on-ice. Bear should help solidify the blueline for a Capitals team that already ranks top-10 in the league defensively, allowing only 2.75 goals per game.
Pacioretty has been a full participant at practice the last two weeks and will make his season debut this week as he nears his return from his second Achilles surgery in less than a year, but will not play on Friday against the New York Islanders. Over the last three seasons, Pacioretty has struggled vehemently with injuries, playing only 92 total games. After recovering from his first Achilles surgery, he was only able to play five games last season before re-injuring his Achilles and forcing an abrupt end to his season. If Pacioretty can stay healthy, he could be a big boost for a Capitals team that ranks second-worst in the league offensively (2.34 GF / GP) and has the league's third-worst powerplay (12.1%).
Lundkvist will play for only the second time in the last eight games for the Stars as he will re-enter the lineup in favour of Joel Hanley. Lundkvist, who was acquired by the Stars last offseason for a first-round pick, has failed to impress the Stars' coaching staff and establish himself as a permanent fixture in their lineup. He has seven points (0G / 7A), averaging 14:37 time-on-ice in 24 games this season.
Quick will start for only the second time in the last six games for the Rangers when they visit the Florida Panthers on Friday. Quick has been solid and reliable all season but is coming off a tough performance in which he allowed four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%) in a 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on December 22nd. That said, the Rangers, winners of two straight, are +121 road underdogs against a Panthers team that has also won two in a row.
Merzlikins will return to the crease for the Blue Jackets on Friday after a disappointing loss in his last outing. Against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday, Merzlikins allowed two goals in the final five minutes of regulation in an eventual 4-3 overtime loss. The Latvian netminder is winless in his last two games (0-0-2), allowing seven total goals and posting a .896 SV%. Merzlikins was between the pipes just over two weeks ago in a 6-5 overtime victory over the Maple Leafs when he allowed five goals on 48 shots (.896 SV%), but the Blue Jackets are still sizeable +181 home underdogs against them on Friday.
Olivier will be a healthy scratch on Friday, potentially making room for Jack Roslovic (ankle) to return to the lineup after a 21-game absence. In 19 games this season, the 26-year-old Olivier has five points (1G / 4A), averaging 10:02 time-on-ice.
Roslovic has not played since November 12th, a 21-game absence, due to a fractured ankle and is expected to make his return to the lineup on Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs despite not participating in line rushes at practice on Thursday. Before his injury, Roslovic played predominantly on a line with Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau, scoring eight points (2G / 6A) in 14 games.
Olofsson has played 22 consecutive games for the Sabres but is expected to be a healthy scratch on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Olofsson is averaging 11:58 time-on-ice this season but has seen that total dip as low as 6:43 during a nine-game stretch where he has only recorded a single point (0G / 1A).
Rust has missed eight straight games for the Penguins after suffering an upper-body injury on December 6th. Rust's return to the ice is an encouraging sign for the Penguins, with his return to the lineup appearing to be on the horizon. Before his injury, Rust was having a terrific season, scoring 20 points (10G / 10A) in 22 games.
Lindgren did not play in the last game for the Capitals but will likely return to the crease after Darcy Kuemper allowed five goals in a 5-1 loss against the New York Rangers on Wednesday. Lindgren only has two wins in his last five games (2-1-2) but has allowed three or fewer goals in each contest, posting a dazzling .937 SV%. The Capitals are +133 road underdogs against the New York Islanders on Friday, despite defeating them 3-2 less than two weeks ago.
Gauthier has missed two of the last three games but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The 26-year-old is off to the most productive start of his five-year career, with two goals, five points, 19 SOG and. four PIMs in 15 games.
Thompson was a late scratch for Wednesday's game, with the team only announcing his absence just over 30 minutes before the puck drop, but he will return to the lineup on Friday after being activated from the non-roster list. Thompson has nine goals and ten assists in 26 games this season. Tyson Jost drew into the Sabres' lineup and centred the first line in Thompson's absence.
