Matthew Phillips will be a healthy scratch for the Capitals on Friday, allowing Hendrix Lapierre to re-enter the lineup. In his last game, Lapierre recorded an assist in 8:27 time-on-ice, snapping a five-game streak without a point.
Sandin is battling an illness and did not participate in practice on Friday and will miss Friday's contest against the Carolina Hurricanes as he recovers. Sandin has five points (0G / 5A) in his last five games, most recently skating alongside Ethan Bear. He is considered day-to-day while he recovers.
Kuemper will likely return to the crease on Friday for a Capitals club that has lost five of their last six (1-3-2). In his last outing, Kuemper played well, saving 32 of 33 shots (.914 SV%) in a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, but has allowed three or more goals in three consecutive games (1-2-0), posting a miserable .863 SV%. The Capitals are +158 home underdogs against the Carolina Hurricanes, who have won four straight, outscoring their opposition 19-8.
Sandin is battling an illness and did not participate in practice on Friday, making him a game-time decision ahead of the Capitals' contest against the Carolina Hurricanes. Sandin has five points (0G / 5A) in his last five games, most recently skating alongside Ethan Bear.
Vanecek has served as the backup to Nico Daws in two of the last three games, both wins for the Devils, but will likely return to the crease on Friday evening. Before allowing five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins in his last outings, Vanecek won two straight games, saving 48 of 53 shots in the process (.906 SV%). Vanecek and the Devils are overwhelming -432 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks club that has lost four straight, being outscored 15-2 in their last three (0-3-0).
Heiskanen played 14:38 TOI before departing Thursday's game vs. the Avalanche. He got hurt in a collision with Scott Wedgewood and makes him questionable to play Saturday vs. the Predators.
Kirkland has spent most of his eight-year professional career in the AHL, making his NHL debut last season with the Anaheim Ducks, being held without a point in seven contests. Kirkland has 13 points (1G / 12A) this season in 12 games with the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL).
Rodrigues left after blocking a shot with his lower leg and did not return. In addition to Rodrigues, the Panthers also lost Aleksander Barkov in the first period, so they could be short-handed for Saturday's game in Colorado. Head coach Paul Maurice said he expects to have an update on Rodrigues on Friday.
Barkov took an elbow up high from Alec Martinez in the first period of Thursday's 4-1 win in Vegas. Barkov left after playing just 4:54 TOI and did not return to the game. In addition to Barkov, the Panthers also lost Evan Rodrigues in the game, which could leave them shorthanded up-front for Saturday's game in Colorado. Head coach Paul Maurice said he expects to have an update on Barkov on Friday.
Anderson-Dolan will be the odd-man out on Thursday as Arthur Kaliyev re-enters the lineup. Anderson-Dolan has no goals and two assists in ten games this season.
Kaliyev will re-enter the lineup on Thursday after sitting out Tuesday's game against the Maple Leafs. He has six goals and eight assists in 30 games this season.
Petry will slide back into Detroit's lineup on Thursday as they opt to dress seven defensemen in the absence of Andrew Copp (lower-body). Petry has one goal and nine assists in 29 games this season.
Copp did not practice Wednesday due to a lower-body injury and was a game-time decision Thursday vs. Los Angeles. The 29-year-old has struggled to live up to his decently sized contract as he only has five goals, 17 points, 68 SOG, 18 PIMs and a -4 plus/minus in 38 games played in 2023-24.
Hellebuyck will return to the crease on Thursday and attempt to continue his reign as the top goaltender in the NHL over the last month and a half. Over his last 16 games, Hellebuyck has been nearly impenetrable, allowing fewer than three goals 14 times and posting a stellar .938 SV%. The Jets, who have skyrocketed the standings and are in a battle for the top seed in the Central Division, are sizeable -279 road favourites against a Sharks team amid a nine-game losing streak for the second time this season.
Cam Talbot has lost his last three outings, so the Kings will turn to Rittich, who will attempt to capture his third victory in as many games with the team this season. In two games (2-0-0), Rittich has saved 39 of 41 shots (.951 SV%). Despite their recent struggles, Rittich and the Kings are -174 home favourites against a Detroit Red Wings squad that has lost three of their last five contests (2-3-0).
Daccord was outstanding against the Vegas Golden Knights in the Winter Classic on Monday, saving all 35 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season. The 27-year-old Daccord has been among the league's top goaltenders since taking the reigns as the starting goalie for the Kraken when Philipp Grubauer went down, posting an otherworldly .946 SV% along with two shutouts through 11 games (6-2-3). Seattle is a -124 home favourite on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators, who have lost two of their last three games (1-2-0).
Korpisalo will be back between the pipes on Thursday after Anton Forsberg's disappointing display in Tuesday's 6-3 defeat to the Canucks. Korpisalo enjoyed one of his best starts of the season his last time out, stopping 45 of the 46 shots he faced enroute to a 5-1 victory over the Sabres on Sunday. He'll be hoping to keep things rolling on Thursday in Seattle as he looks to improve upon his disappointing .889 SV% and 7-12-0 record on the season.
Vlasic will replace the injured Kyle Burroughs (lower-body). Vlasic has no goals and just one assist in 18 games this season.
Burroughs is considered day-to-day with the injury. Marc-Edouard Vlasic will draw into the lineup in his place. Burroughs has no goals and four assists in 36 games this season.
Blackwood will return to the Sharks' crease on Thursday for the first time since December 23rd. Blackwood was sidelined for two games with an illness, though he was healthy enough to serve as Kaapo Kahkonen's backup for each of the last two games. Blackwood had a start to forget his last time out, surrendering six goals on 25 shots as the Sharks fell to the Canucks by a score of 7-4. His record now sits at 4-14-12 on the season to go along with an .889 SV% and a 3.92 GAA. Things won't get any easier for him on Thursday with the Sharks currently being heavy home underdogs at +225 to the Jets.
