Palmieri has not played since Nov.21st due to an upper-body injury but will be a game-time decision to return Friday vs. Arizona. The 31-year-old veteran winger has six goals, nine points and 37 SOG through 20 games prior to hitting the shelf due to injury.
Vejmelka stopped 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) to snap a two-game winning streak as he was beaten by San Jose in his previous start. Vejmelka has been one of the Coyotes' lone bright spots, with his 8-8-3 record, 3.07 GAA and .913 SV%. He will face the New York Islanders, who lost in a shootout vs. Boston in their last game, but are ninth in the NHL in goals allowed per game (2.77).
The Islanders will not hold a morning skate in Arizona on Friday, so we'll have to rely on Thursday's practice for information. It looks like Ilya Sorokin will get the start, which makes sense since Semyon Varlamov started in Boston on Tuesday. Sorokin is riding a four-game losing skid, having allowed 12 goals on 108 shots (.889 SV%). He takes on the Coyotes, who are 28th in the NHL in goals for (2.74) and last in shots (23.5).
Binnington was perfect in his last start, stopping all 25 of 25 shots to snap a seven-game losing streak in a win over Nashville. It has been a rough season for the Blues workhorse, who has a 10-11-1 record, a .894 SV% and a 3.23 GAA. He takes on the Edmonton Oilers, who have won three of their last four games after a 6-3 victory over Nashville last game.
Harkins has two goals, four points, eight PIMs and is a +6 through 13 games this season but will be a game-time decision Thursday due to an undisclosed injury.
Barron has been enjoying a successful first full NHL season, with three goals, nine points and 32 SOG through 18 games but will be a game-time decision Thursday as he deals with an undisclosed injury. Barron joins Hansen Harkins as one of two game-time decisions for the Jets' Thursday.
Ellers has six goals, 12 points, 14 SOG and 20 PIMs through 30 games played but will play Thursday even though he deals with an undisclosed injury. If he is forced to miss time, the Capital's replacement will need to cover his 15:05 ATOI.
Sergachev will miss his first game of the 2022-23 season as he deals with an undisclosed injury Thursday. The 24-year-old has been enjoying an incredible breakout season, with five goals, 22 assists, 24 PIMs and 48 SOG through 28 games. He currently is on a three-game point streak (1G/3A) and will hope to be back sooner rather than later.
Tkachuk has 14 goals, 25 assists, 107 SOG, 45 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus through 28 games to start his Florida Panthers' tenure so if he is forced to miss anytime due to illness it will be a massive loss for Florida. He will be a game-time decision and should know by warmups if he is good to go for their game vs. Pittsburgh.
