Athanasiou has struggled so far in 2023-24, with no goals, three assists, 14 SOG, and a -2 plus//minus through seven games, and will be a healthy scratch for the first time this year. MacKenzie Entwistle will replace him in the Blackhawks' lineup as the nine-year veteran takes a seat in the press box.
Entwistle was a healthy scratch for the Blackhawks' previous two games but will draw back into the lineup Friday vs Vegas as he replaces Andreas Athanasiou. The 24-year-old right-winger has a goal, two SOG, four PIMs, and a +1 plus/minus in two games this season while being healthy scratched for five others.
With Pyotr Kotchekov being sent to Syracuse (AHL) and Frederik Andersen getting the start Thursday, Antti Raanta is expected to take the pipes Friday vs. San Jose. The 34-year-old has been horrendous thus far in 2023-24, with his 1-1-0 record, 4.41 GAA and .818 SV%. He will hope to get his season back on track against the winless San Jose Sharks (0-6-1), who are last in the NHL in both shots per game (24.3) and goals per game (1.14).
Samsonov will take the crease Saturday against Nashville after being pulled a week earlier vs. Tampa Bay after allowing three goals on four shots (.250 SV%) in his previous start. The 26-year-old is fighting for the starting position in the Maple Leafs' crease with Joseph Woll due to his slow start which has him with a 2-1-0 record, .831 SV% and a 4.34 GAA. He'll face the Nashville Predators on the road, who snapped a two-game winning streak with a loss to Vancouver last game and are 18th in the NHL in goals per game (2.86).
Mrazek allowed three goals on 43 shots (.930 SV%) for his third straight loss in his previous start vs. Boston but will be rewarded with the start Friday vs. Vegas. The 31-year-old goaltender has played well despite most of his starts turning into losing efforts as he has a 1-3-0 record, .925 SV% and 3.03 GAA. He draws the near-impossible task of facing the undefeated Vegas Golden Knights, who have started 2023-24 with a 7-0-0 record and are fourth in the NHL in goals per game (3.86).
Jenik had a goal, two assists, and a +2 plus/minus in three games with Tucson (AHL) to start the 2023-24 season and has been recalled to Arizona on Friday. The 23-year-old right-winger returns to the Coyotes for his fourth NHL season and has four goals, five points, and 25 SOG in 17 career NHL games played.
It appears Copley will be rewarded with his second consecutive start after making 24 of 27 saves on Tuesday for a 6-3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes, his first win of the season. The Kings coaching brass hopes familiarity will help Copley find some consistency in his game as the team will match up against the Coyotes once again, this time in Arizona. Scoring goals hasn't been the Coyotes' forte this season, averaging 2.50 goals per game, as such, the Kings are listed as -132 road favourites.
McCabe was injured (lower body) in his first shift after playing only 10 seconds on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. He has zero points, nine blocks, 12 hits, and a -4 plus/minus rating through seven games this season. William Lagesson was recalled on Friday by the Maple Leafs and is likely to be McCabe's replacement on the back end.
DeSmith allowed three goals on 36 shots in the Canucks' win in Florida last Saturday. DeSmith has played very well to start his Canucks' career, stopping 75 of the 81 shots (.926 SV%) he's faced in three games. Tonight he'll got head-to-head with Igor Shesterkin, and enters play as +143 home underdog.
Demko will start for the Canucks on Friday as the California-born goaltender will look for his third win of the season. On the season, Demko has a 2.42 GAA and .923 SV% in four games (2-2-0). In his most recent matchup, Demko had a light night, saving 15 of 17 shots in a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators. The Canucks are -188 home favourites against a stingy Blues team that is scoring (2.17 GF/GP) almost as infrequently as they are allowing goals (2.33 GA/GP).
Lagesson was called up on Friday from the Marlies (AHL), likely to replace Jake McCabe, who was injured after playing only 10 seconds on Friday and has been ruled out for the Maple Leafs Saturday night matchup against the Nashville Predators. In five games with the Marlies this season, Lagesson has one point (0G / 1A) and a -2 plus/minus rating.
Minten was one of the league's biggest camp surprises when he cracked the Maple Leafs' opening night roster but has been returned to Kamloops (WHL) after being a healthy scratch in Toronto's previous two outings. The 19-year-old was Toronto's 2022 second round pick (38th overall) and failed to pick up a point across his four game showing with the Maple Leafs early in the season. He returns to Kamloops, where he had 31 goals, 36 assists, 55 PIMs and a +24 plus/minus in 57 games played in 2022-23.
Demko is likely to start for the Canucks on Friday as the California-born goaltender will look for his third win of the season. On the season, Demko has a 2.42 GAA and .923 SV% in four games (2-2-0). In his most recent matchup, Demko had a light night, saving 15 of 17 shots in a 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators. The Canucks are -188 home favourites against a stingy Blues team that is scoring (2.17 GF/GP) almost as infrequently as they are allowing goals (2.33 GA/GP).
Brannstrom's injury comes with news that fellow defenseman Thomas Chabot will be out 4-6 weeks due to a fractured hand, seriously draining the Senators' defensive core. In seven games this season, Brannstrom has zero points, nine shots, four penalty minutes, and a +1 plus/minus rating. Expect the Senators to make a call-up for their depleted blue line.
Chabot unfortunately finds himself in familiar territory, being forced to miss a significant amount of time due to injury as he will be recovering from a fractured hand. Over the past three seasons, Chabot has missed between 14 to 33 games due to various injuries. In seven games this season, Chabot accumulated three points (0G / 3A), 18 shots, and a -1 plus/minus rating. Fortunately for the Senators, they have several strong options on the blueline that will be able to eat into Chabot's minutes, namely Jake Sanderson and Jakob Chychrun.
Vanecek will take the starter's crease for the Devils on Friday as they will look to bounce back after a 6-4 loss to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. Vanecek, who allowed two goals on 16 shots coming in relief of Akira Schmid on Wednesday, has been the better of the two goalies thus far despite a pedestrian 3.10 GAA and .900 SV% in four games (2-2-0). The Devils are listed as -191 home favourites against a Buffalo Sabres team that is averaging only 2.71 goals per game, the 21st fewest in the league.
Carpenter has been recalled from the Barracuda (AHL) in relation to Alexander Barabanov being placed on the injured reserve with an upper-body injury. Carpenter has 72 points (27G / 45A) in 330 career NHL games and will make his Sharks season debut at some point during Barabanov's absence. He is expected to line up on the third line with Nico Sturm and Mike Hoffman.
Husso allowed five goals on 38 shots in the Red Wings' overtime loss to the Kraken on Tuesday. Husso hasn't been great to start the season, posting a 3.38 GAA and .893 SV% in his first five games. Tonight he'll face a Bruins team that is 14th in xGF/60 (3.20) and GF/60 (3.13).
Barkov will return to the Panthers' lineup on Saturday after missing their previous game with an undisclosed illness. Over his last four seasons, Barkov has never played more than 68 games. The Panthers and their fans alike will hope this most recent absence was a one-off as he is off to a great start this season, tallying six points (1G / 5A) in five games.
