Demko has not played since February 8th due to a lower-body injury but appears to be progressing towards a return after participating at practice on Friday. The 29-year-old Demko was performing at a high level before his injury, posting a 1.21 GAA and .955 SV% in his previous five appearances (3-1-0).
Erik Johnson will draw back into Colorado's lineup on Friday against the Calgary Flames, sending Malinski to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Malinski is averaging 15:30 time-on-ice and has nine points (2G / 7A) in 61 games this season.
Sam Malinski will be a healthy scratch on Friday against the Calgary Flames, allowing Johnson to re-enter the lineup. The 36-year-old Johnson made his season debut with the Avalanche earlier this week, playing 12:01 time-on-ice and recording three hits.
With Mackenzie Blackwood battling an illness, Wedgewood will tend the twine for Colorado for the second time in their past three games. Wedgewood was excellent in his most recent outing, saving all 20 shots he faced in a 3-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks for his second shutout of the season. The 32-year-old Wedgewood has an impressive 2.03 GAA and .922 SV% in 12 appearances with Colorado this season (7-4-0). Colorado enters the action on Friday as -203 road favorites against a Calgary Flames team with points in five straight (2-0-3).
Nesterenko last suited up for the Ducks on January 21st, his seventh game of the season, but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL. The 23-year-old forward has 34 points (13G / 21A) in 48 games with the San Diego Gulls (AHL) this season.
The Ducks have lost two straight and will likely turn to Dostal between the pipes on Friday against the Nashville Predators. The 24-year-old Czech netminder struggled in his most recent outing, allowing six goals on 42 shots (.857 SV%) in a 7-4 loss to the Washington Capitals. He has a 2.91 GAA and .910 SV% in 41 games this season (19-7-5). The Ducks enter Friday's contest as +140 home underdogs against a Predators team riding a four-game winning streak.
Armia was a late scratch before Wednesday's game due to an upper-body injury, but will likely return to the lineup on Saturday against the Florida Panthers. The 31-year-old Armia is averaging 14:42 time-on-ice and has 25 points (11G / 14A) in 64 games this season.
The Canadiens have points in eight of their last nine games (6-1-2) and will turn to Montembeault between the pipes on Saturday against the Florida Panthers. The 28-year-old Montembeault was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 29 of 31 shots in a 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks. He has a 2.87 GAA and .900 SV% in 48 games this season (23-21-4).
Haula is coming off a serviceable outing for the Devils, recording one assist in 12:42 time-on-ice in their 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers, but will be a healthy scratch on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 33-year-old Haula has 14 points (6G / 8A) in 55 games this season.
Grubauer was excellent in his previous outing, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers last week. He will likely return to the crease on Friday against the Utah Hockey Club. Success has evaded the 33-year-old Grubauer since joining Seattle several seasons ago. He owns an ugly 3.69 GAA and .870 SV% through 22 games with the Kraken this season (6-15-1). Seattle enters the action on Friday as +134 home underdogs against a Utah team with points in four straight games (2-0-2).
Kucherov has missed the last four periods of hockey for Tampa Bay due to an illness but appears to be ready to return to the lineup after practicing with the team on Friday. The 31-year-old Kucherov remains among the league leaders with 92 points (28G / 64A) in 61 games this season. That said, the elite forward has been held off the scoresheet in two straight games for only the second time this season.
Klapka has only played one game for the Flames in the last month but will re-enter the lineup on Friday against the Colorado Avalanche, filling in for an injured Mikael Backlund (upper body). The 24-year-old Klapka is averaging 8:10 time-on-ice and has one point (1G / 0A) in 13 games this season.
Daniil Miromanov will draw back into Calgary's lineup on Friday against the Calgary Flames, sending Pachal to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Pachal has been a regular in the lineup for the Flames, recording seven points (2G / 5A) and averaging 14:24 time-on-ice in 63 games.
Brayden Pachal will be a healthy scratch on Friday against the Colorado Avalanche, allowing Miromanov to re-enter the lineup. The 27-year-old Miromanov is averaging 18:21 time-on-ice and has seven points (1G / 6A) in 37 games this season.
Karlsson had 13 games of NHL experience, including scoring one goal in nine games this season, but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL. The 25-year-old Karlsson has 32 points (19G / 13A) in 28 games with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) this season.
Norris has battled injuries the past few seasons, a trend that unfortunately has followed him to his new club, the Buffalo Sabres. The 25-year-old Norris was acquired by the Sabres last week in a trade that sent Dylan Cozens to the Ottawa Senators. Norris has been productive early in his tenure with Buffalo, recording two points (1G / 1A) and averaging 18:36 time-on-ice in three games.
Peterka did not play in Buffalo's previous game and will miss at least one more contest due to a lower-body injury. The 23-year-old Peterka has a career-high 51 points (19G / 32A) in 61 games this season.
Bichsel did not practice on Thursday due to an illness and is not ready to join the team for the Friday night matchup against the Winnipeg Jets. The 20-year-old rookie defenseman is averaging 14:57 time-on-ice and has five points (2G / 3A) in 22 games this season. Brendan Smith will draw into the Stars' lineup as Bichsel's replacement.
Lian Bichsel (illness) will not play against the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, allowing Smith to re-enter the lineup. The 36-year-old Smith last played on March 2nd. He is averaging 12:51 time-on-ice and has four points (0G / 4A) in 27 games this season.
The Stars enter a crucial game in their fight for the top spot in the Central Division on Friday and will lean on Oettinger between the pipes. Oettinger has been inconsistent at times this season and is coming off a poor outing where he allowed five goals on 27 shots in a 5-4 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The 26-year-old goalie has a 2.48 GAA and .909 SV% in 46 games this season (30-14-2). The Stars enter Friday's contest as +118 road underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets squad coming off a 2-1 win against the New York Rangers.
