The Islanders lost both Aho and Adam Pelech on Friday, and both are questionable to play Saturday. Depending on their availability, the Islanders may be forced to make some roster moves in order to have six defensemen.
The Islanders lost both Pelech and Sebastian Aho on Friday, and both are questionable to play Saturday. Depending on their availability, the Islanders may be forced to make some roster moves in order to have six defensemen.
Vanecek allowed four goals on 28 shots in the Devils' loss in Detroit on Wednesday. Vanecek has struggled in his last five outings, going 1-3-0 with an .860 SV%. Tonight he'll face the Sabres, as -166 home favourites. Buffalo come in ranking 24th in the NHL in GF/60 (2.83).
Zadina left Friday's game with a nagging upper-body injury that has been "bothering him." Mike Hoffman was promoted into the top-6 with Zadina out, and expect Kevin Labanc to draw back into the lineup after being a game-time decision yesterday.
Lazar left Friday's game vs. the Blue Jackets with an undisclosed injury and did not return. Head coach Lindy Ruff called Lazar questionable for Saturday's contest vs. Buffalo. Expect Max Willman to draw back into the lineup to replace Lazar if neither Nico Hischier or Timo Meier are ready to return.
Grubauer remains out of the lineup with an undisclosed injury, and as such, Daccord will be the starter for the Kraken again on Friday. Daccord has been strong since Grubauer suffered his injury, saving 35 of 38 shots (.921 SV%) in two appearances (1-0-1). The Kraken are slight +101 home underdogs against their division rivals, the Vancouver Canucks, who have cooled off after their hot start to the season, losing three of their last four (1-3-0).
Demko is the starter for the Canucks on Friday on the front end of a back-to-back. The Canucks have lost three of four (1-3-0), being outscored 15-10, after a stretch that saw them collect a point in 11 of 12 games (10-1-1). Demko has struggled lately, allowing 17 goals in his last five games (2-3-0), posting a .872 SV%, including a loss to the Seattle Kraken last week when he allowed four goals on 26 shots (.846 SV%). That said, the Canucks are slight -107 road favourites against the Kraken, who have collected a point in five straight games (3-0-2).
Markstrom will be the starting goalie for the Flames for the front end of their back-to-back on Friday. Markstrom has allowed four goals in consecutive games, both losses. He was also unspectacular against Friday's opponent, the Dallas Stars, on November 1st when he allowed four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%) in a 4-3 loss. The Flames are +159 road underdogs against a Stars team that has scored three or more goals in six of their last seven outings (5-1-1).
Hellebuyck is coming off a stellar performance, saving 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday. After a shaky start to the season, in which Hellebuyck posted a .890 SV% in nine games (5-3-0), he has looked more like himself recently with a .918 SV% in his last five games (4-1-0). The Jets will have their hands full on Friday as +124 road underdogs against a Florida Panthers team that is second in the Atlantic division and is 7-2-0 in their last nine games.
Dillon was a game-time decision for Friday's game in Florida due to the lower-body injury. The 33-year-old blue-liner has four goals, three assists, and 50 hits in 18 games for the Jets this season.
Raanta exited Wednesday's contest for precautionary reasons associated with a lower-body concern but seems no worse for wear as he will start on Friday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Injury concerns are always a worry with Raanta, but so long as he is healthy, he should continue to see a fair share of action in the Hurricanes crease. In his last six outings (5-1-0), Raanta has allowed only 12 goals and registered a .912 SV%, strong numbers for any netminder on a Hurricanes team that leads the league in shot suppression (25.8 SA / GP).
Joonas Korpisalo was not present at the morning skate and as a result, Forsberg will be the starting goalie on Friday against the New York Islanders. Friday's matchup marks the Senators' first game since returning from the NHL Global Series in Sweden, where Forsberg played exceptionally well, saving 24 of 25 shots in a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild. The Senators will hope Forsberg can build off his most recent performance because he struggled immensely in his three games prior (0-3-0), allowing 13 goals on only 51 shots (.745 SV%). Forsberg and the Senators are -121 home favourites against an Islanders team that ranks third worst in the league offensively (2.56 GF / GP).
Varlamov will be the starting goalie on the front end of a back-to-back for the Islanders on Friday. Despite a 2-3-1 record, Varlamov has been terrific when called upon this season, posting a 2.18 GAA and .934 SV% along with two shutouts. The Islanders are +118 road underdogs against the Ottawa Senators but have momentum on their side as they look for their third consecutive victory after overcoming a season-worst seven-game losing skid (0-4-3).
Luukkonen has played well in his last three appearances (1-1-0), saving 74 of 79 shots (.937 SV%), and will be rewarded with a start on Friday. Luukkonen has easily been the most consistent of three Sabres' netminders this season, posting a 2.80 GAA and .911 SV% through nine contests (4-3-1). The Sabres are +111 home underdogs against a Pittsburgh Penguins team without Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust and is coming off a 1-0 loss to the New York Rangers on Wednesday. In addition, Luukkonen played admirably against the Penguins on November 11th despite a 4-0 loss, saving 36 of 39 shots (.923 SV%).
