Simek has not played since Nov. 13th due to an undisclosed injury but will return to the Sharks' lineup Friday as they take on LA. The 30-year-old stay-at-home defenseman has a goal and a -8 plus/minus through 17 games this season.
Svechnikov will be back in the Sharks' lineup Friday after being a healthy scratch the previous couple of games. The 26-year-old has three goals, three assists and a +2 plus/minus through 16 games this year.
Gadjovich will miss Friday's game due to illness and be replaced by Evgeny Svechnikov. The 24-year-old had yet to get a point through 10 games in 2022-23.
Chabot has not played since Nov.12th due to a concussion but is back in the Senators' lineup Friday vs. Anaheim. Ottawa's top defenseman was having a solid start prior to the concussion, picking up three goals and three assists with 34 SOG in 14 games played.
Philipp Grubauer has not played since leaving a game on October 21st due to an injury where he stopped 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%) picking up the no-decision. In two starts prior to the injury, he was horrible, posting a .860 SV% and 3.77 GAA. He will hope for better luck Friday as he takes on the Vegas Golden Knights who have won three of their last four games and lead the Pacific Division.
Talbot stopped 32 of 35 shots (.914 SV%) in a loss to Vegas his previous time between the pipes. It has been a struggle to get wins so far this season for Talbot as shown by his 1-5-0 record with .910 SV% and 2.83 GAA. He takes on the Anaheim Ducks who picked up their first regulation win of the season last game in their 20th appearance.
Klingberg only managed to play 15:31 TOI before leaving due to a lower-body injury the Ducks' last time out vs. NYR. He is considered day-to-day and will miss the Ducks' game Friday. The 30-year-old defenseman has a goal and seven assists with a. -12 plus/minus through 20 games this season.
Stolarz stopped 4 of 5 shots (.800 SV%) in a relief performance his last time out taking the no-decision vs. St. Louis. The Ducks' backup has struggled mightily this season, posting a 2-2-0 record along with a high 4.29 GAA and .894 SV%. He takes on the Ottawa Senators who have lost their last three games.
Krebs has three assists, a -3 plus/minus and no goals through his first 17 games this season and will head to the press box for the second time in three games Friday as a healthy scratch.
Reimer missed the Sharks' previous game due to injury but stopped 41 of 42 shots (.976 SV%) in a hard-fought loss the game before vs. NYR. He has had an up-and-down season as shown by his 5-7-2 record, 2.92 GAA and .906 SV%. He takes on Los Angeles who have lost three straight and are hoping to get back into the win column.
Vejmelka picked up his second shutout of the early season stopping all 36 shots vs. Carolina in his last start. The 26-year-old has enjoyed a solid quarter of the season, posting a 6-5-1 record with a .916 SV% and 2.98 GAA. He will take on the Detroit Red Wings who are currently on a three-game winning streak.
Robertson will head to the press box yet again Friday as a healthy scratch. The Maple Leafs prospect has been impressive through 11 games this season with two goals and five points along with 18 SOG.
Ritchie has missed the Flames' last two games due to an undisclosed injury but will return Friday vs. Washington. Through 17 games this season he has two goals and six assists with a +2 plus/minus rating.
Heinola had found his way in the Jets' lineup for the last two games but will head to the press box Friday as Dylan DeMelo returns from an upper-body injury. In his short two-game showing, he failed to get a point and a shot on goal while posting a -2 plus/minus rating.
Reimer missed the Sharks' previous game due to injury but stopped 41 of 42 shots (.976 SV%) in a hard-fought loss the game before vs. NYR. He has had an up-and-down season as shown by his 5-7-2 record, 2.92 GAA and .906 SV%. He takes on Los Angeles who have lost three straight and are hoping to get back into the win column.
DeMelo hasn't played since Nov. 13th due to an upper-body injury but will return to the Jets' lineup Friday vs. Dallas. The 29-year-old has two assists and a +2 plus/minus through 14 games played prior to the injury.
Markstrom stopped 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in his previous start winning his second game in a row. The 32-year-old has fought the puck all season long as shown by his .889 SV% and 3.03 GAA but still has an 8-4-2 record. He takes on the Washington Capitals who snapped a four-game losing streak with a 3-2 win over Philadelphia.
Fleury allowed two goals on 25 shots (.920 SV%) in a loss to Nashville his previous time out. The 37-year-old has struggled this season but still has a 6-4-1 record with a 2.8 GAA and .906 SV%. He takes on the Toronto Maple Leafs who have points in six straight games.
Montembeault was excellent in his previous start, stopping 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) as he helped Montreal top Columbus. The Canadiens' backup has been strong all season, posting a 4-2-1 record with a .922 SV% and 2.57 GAA. He will take on the struggling Chicago Blackhawks who have lost five straight games.
Hellebuyck allowed six goals on 39 shots (.846 SV%) in his worst start of the season, a loss vs. Minnesota. He has been great this season as shown by his .928 SV%, 2.35 GAA and 8-5-1 record. He will take on the Dallas Stars who have gotten at least a point in seven straight games.
