Christiansen has two assists, 19 SOG and is a -3 through 17 games with the Blue Jackets this season but will head to the press box as a healthy scratch with the return of Adam Boqvist (foot).
Tarasov allowed four goals on 38 shots (.895 SV%) as he picked up his fourth straight loss in a defeat to Philadelphia in his previous game. The 23-year-old has been leaned on heavily lately and played well despite what his 2-7-1 record may show, as he has a .913 SV% and 3.13 GAA. He will hope for better fortunes against the Chicago Blackhawks, who have lost their last eight games and are last in the NHL in goals per game with 2.26.
Skinner stopped 24 of 27 shots (.889 SV%) to snap a personal three-game losing skid with a victory over Dallas in his last start. The 24-year-old Edmonton native has taken the reigns of the starting position in Edmonton, with his 10-8-1 record, 2.84 GAA and .913 SV%. He will face the Vancouver Canucks, who are coming off a 6-5 victory over Seattle in their last game and are 10th in the NHL in goals per game with 3.29.
Boqvist has been out since October 25th due to a foot injury but returns to the Blue Jackets' lineup Friday as they take on Chicago. The 22-year-old could only get four games under his belt before the injury and had no points, three SOG and a -1 plus/minus. He had 11 goals, 11 assists, and 64 SOG in 2021-22 as one of the best offensive options on Columbus' blue line.
Stalock has not played since Nov. 1st due to a concussion but will make his first start back Friday. The 35-year-old has been having a resurgent season after taking all of 2021-22 off due to injury, with a 3-2-1 record, .914 SV% and 2.93 GAA in seven starts prior to the injury. He will face Columbus, who is looking to snap the current five-game losing streak they are on.
Skjei missed the Hurricanes' previous contest due to personal reasons and will be a game-time decision Friday vs. the Flyers. The 28-year-old has been having an incredibly solid season, with six goals, eight assists, a +11 plus/minus and 71 SOG through 32 games prior to taking a step away from the team.
Aho has missed the Hurricane's last seven games due to a lower-body injury but will be a game-time decision Friday as they take on the Flyers. If Aho does return, it will be massive for Carolina, as he had 11 goals, 27 points, 7 SOG, 18 PIMS and a +2 plus/minus through 26 games prior to the injury.
Oettinger allowed five goals on 33 shots (.848 SV%) in his previous start as he snapped a two-game winning streak with a loss to Edmonton. The 24-year-old has been the definition of solid for the Stars this season, with his 13-5-3 record, 2.47 GAA and .919 SV%. He will face the Montreal Canadians, who have lost four of their last five games after a 2-1 overtime loss to Colorado in their last game.
Stalock has not played since Nov. 1st due to a concussion but will make his first start back Friday. The 35-year-old has been having a resurgent season after taking all of 2021-22 off due to injury, with a 3-2-1 record, .914 SV% and 2.93 GAA in seven starts prior to the injury. He will face Columbus, who is looking to snap the current five-game losing streak they are on.
Smith had been playing in Grand Rapids (AHL) prior to being dealt Monday to the Florida Panthers, where he had two goals, three assists, 45 PIMs and a -21 plus/minus through 19 games. He was part of a trade which saw Detroit acquire Danny O'Regan, and Anaheim, Michael Del Zotto.
Marino left the Devils' game Monday due to an upper-body injury and missed Wednesday's game and is now considered out week-to-week with an upper-body injury. Marino has three goals, six assists, 42 SOG and is a +10 plus/minus in 32 games played.
Fogarty played in two games with the Minnesota Wild but failed to pick up a point and will not head down to the Iowa Wild (AHL) where he had nine goals, 12 assists, 22 PIMs and a +6 plus/minus in 25 games prior to his promotion.
Holtz did not play in the Devils' previous game as he was a healthy scratch, but he will draw back the Devils' lineup Friday vs. Boston. The 20 year-old-rookie has two goals, 14 SOG and eight PIMs across 13 games played with New Jersey so far.
Okhotyuk had two goals, four assists, 18 PIMs and a -1 plus/minus across 17 games with the Utica Comets (AHL) before being recalled Thursday. He has played in five NHL games previously, scoring one goal and one assist
Blackwood stopped 34 of 36 shots (.944 SV%) in his first start in two months as he beat the Florida Panthers. The 26-year-old will get a second straight Devil's start and will be looking to improve on his 5-2-0 record, 2.69 GAA and .892 SV%. He will face the Boston Bruins, who have won their last three games and have the league's best record.
Bobrovsky allowed three goals on 32 shots (.906 SV%) for his third loss in five starts as he was defeated by the New Jersey Devils. Bobrovsky has been improving his play as of late but his numbers are still reflective of his early struggles, with his 7-10-1 record, 3.25 GAA and .895 SV%. He will take on the New York Islanders, who are stumbling, having lost five of their last six games with a 5-3 defeat to the Rangers Thursday.
Vladar allowed five goals on 34 shots (.853 SV%) as he broke a four-game winning streak with an overtime loss to Toronto in his last start. The 25-year-old has been solid this season as the Flames' backup, with his 5-4-2 record, 2.81 GAA and .905 SV%. He faces the Los Angeles Kings, who have won their last three contests after a victory over Anaheim in their previous game.
