NHL Hockey Player News

Grubauer remains out of the lineup with an undisclosed injury, and as such, Daccord appears to 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).

Skinner will look to rebound on Friday against the Washington Capitals after allowing four goals on 12 shots (.667 SV%) before being replaced by Calvin Pickard en route to a 6-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday. Skinner has allowed three or more goals in three consecutive games (1-2-0), posting an ugly .829 SV% after a two-game stretch (2-0-0) where he saved 49 of 51 shots (.961 SV%). The Capitals have won five straight but rank fourth-worst in the league offensively (2.56 GF / GP), and as such, the Oilers are -143 road favourites.

McWard had a goal, three assists, four PIMs and a +5 plus/minus through 15 games with Abbotsford (AHL) but has been recalled for the first time this season to Vancouver. The 22-year-old undrafted defensemen made his NHL debut in 2022-23 straight from Ohio State (NCAA) and had a goal and six SOG in a small five game showing to close out the year.

Lindgren will start Friday afternoon against the Edmonton Oilers. This comes after Darcy Kuemper was victorious on Wednesday, a sign that Spencer Carbery and the Capitals coaching staff recognize Lindgren's strong play and could continue to favour him down the stretch if they believe he gives them the best chance at victory. Lindgren has been sensational this season, boasting a 2.01 GAA and .940 SV% through five games (4-1-0). That said, the Capitals are +131 home underdogs against an Oilers team that, despite their struggles, is always a team threatening an offensive outburst.

Georgiev will start the front end of a back-to-back for the Avalanche on Friday when they visit the Minnesota Wild. Georgiev has been wildly inconsistent of late but has managed to post an 11-5-0 record despite a 3.01 GAA and .898 SV%. His inconsistencies have been especially present through November, allowing 28 goals in eight games and posting a .865 SV% while salvaging a 5-3-0 record. The Avalanche are -124 road favourites against a Wild team that has lost five straight contests (0-3-2).

Vasilevskiy will make his long-awaited season debut for Tampa Bay after undergoing back surgery in September. His return to the lineup lines up with his initial 8-10-week timeline. During his absence from the lineup, Jonas Johansson filled in as the starting goaltender, but the team will be excited to get their perennial Vezina candidate back in the lineup. The Lightning are +143 road underdogs on Friday against a Carolina Hurricanes team that has won two straight games, outscoring their opposition 10-5.

Moran Geekie will draw back into the Bruins lineup on Friday, allowing the 34-year-old Van Riemsdyk to rest on the front end of a back-to-back. Van Riemsdyk has been terrific this season, tallying 13 points (5G / 8A) in 18 games while seeing top powerplay deployment. He is on pace for his highest point total in a season since scoring 54 with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2017-18.