Funk is in his fifth season in the WHL and has been rewarded with a three-year, entry-level contract. The undrafted 20-year-old Funk has 99 points (56G / 43A) in 58 games with the Prince George Cougars this season.
Giordano played only 3:09 time-on-ice before exiting the Maple Leafs' 4-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes with an upper-body injury in the first period. The 40-year-old Giordano just returned from a five-game absence for personal reasons earlier this week and has missed considerable time already this season.
Hellebuyck will start the front end, and less favourable matchup, of a back-to-back for the Jets on Saturday. The All-Star netminder played exceptionally despite allowing three goals on 35 shots (.914 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars on Thursday night, snapping a four-game winning streak for the Jets.
Mackey played one game with the Rangers earlier this season but has spent the majority of the 2023-24 campaign with the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL), scoring 11 points (2G / 9A) in 36 games. The undrafted 27-year-old defenseman has played 40 career NHL games across stints with the Rangers, Arizona Coyotes, and Calgary Flames.
Lyon will get the chance to redeem himself after a poor showing in his last outing. On Thursday, Lyon allowed four goals on 26 shots (.846 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the New York Islanders, snapping his four-game winning streak where he allowed only eight total goals. He will face off against the Florida Panthers, the team he made a name for himself with last season, and saved 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) against in a 3-2 victory on January 17th.
Harvey-Pinard has not played since February 10th due to a lower-body injury but appears to be nearing a return to the Canadiens lineup. The 25-year-old has seven points (1G / 6A), 20 hits, and 27 blocks in 24 games this season.
Sorokin will likely start for the fourth consecutive game on Saturday and attempt to secure a third straight win for the Islanders. Sorokin saved 22 of 25 shots (.880 SV%) in a back-and-forth 5-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.
Roelens is an undrafted 6'6 center iceman out of Quebec. The 21-year-old is in his fifth season in the QMJHL and has 62 points (25G / 37A) in 56 games with Acadie-Bathurst Titan.
Primeau will return to the crease on Saturday, his first start in four games for the Canadiens. In his last outing, Primeau allowed three goals on 26 shots (.885 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Primeau and the Canadiens will visit the Tampa Bay Lightning, who defeated them 4-3 in their last meeting on December 31st.
Vilardi exited Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars in the second period with an upper-body injury and did not participate in practice on Friday. The 24-year-old Vilardi has been productive lately, scoring 10 points (5G / 5A) in his last seven games.
Dadonov has not played since February 10th due to a lower-body fracture and will be out of the lineup for the remainder of the season. Dadonov had three points (2G / 1A) in his last five games before his injury and is expected to miss four to six weeks. Logan Stankoven has been the main benefactor with Dadonov out of the lineup, recording four points (3G / 1A) in four games in his spot on the third line with Wyatt Johnston and Jamie Benn.
Ty Dellandrea has been playing in Seguin's spot on the second line with Matt Duchene and Mason Marchment over the last few games since Seguin has been out of the lineup. Before his injury, Seguin was enjoying his best campaign in several years with 45 points (20G / 25A) in 58 games. Seguin's injury allowed the Stars to recall Logan Stankoven, who has been playing superbly on a line with Jamie Benn and Wyatt Johnston.
McCue was the fifth-round pick (156 overall) of the San Jose Sharks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old McCue has 50 points (24G / 26A) in 52 games with the London Knights of the OHL.
Zub's return to the Senators lines up with the news that Travis Hamonic will be out for several weeks with an injury. The hard-hitting Zub had two points (0G / 2A), four shots, and 10 hits in his last four games before his injury.
Ethan Bear will be a healthy scratch on Friday as Nick Jensen returns from a two-game absence due to an illness. Bear played 15:58 time-on-ice in the Capitals 8-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, registering a -1 plus/minus, two penalty minutes, and one shot on goal.
Milano did not play on Monday or Tuesday due to an illness but will return to the lineup on Friday. Earlier this month, Milano returned from a multi-week absence due to injury and has potted three points (2G / 1A) in the four games he has played since.
Jensen has been battling a lower-body injury and did not play Monday or Tuesday but will return to the lineup against the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday. In his last contest, Jensen played 17:39 time-on-ice, recording two penalty minutes and three hits.
In presumably a paper transaction, Stankoven was reassigned to the Texas Stars (AHL). The 21-year-old has transitioned seamlessly to the NHL, scoring four points (3G / 1A) in four games while playing on a line with Wyatt Johnston and Jamie Benn.
Norris collided with the net in the second period and exited Tuesday's contest with an upper-body injury after playing only 6:03 time-on-ice. Norris, who missed most of the previous two seasons with a shoulder injury, received imagining and has been ruled out for the foreseeable future. Zack MacEwen was recalled from Belleville (AHL) in a corresponding move.
