Mavrik Bourque will return to the lineup from an upper-body injury, sending Blackwell to the press box as a healthy scratch against the Los Angeles Kings. Blackwell has two points (1G / 1A) in his last two games and has been an effective contributor from a fourth-line role this season. He has 12 points (5G / 7A) in 47 games.
Lyubushkin exited Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks after only 10:47 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury and will not play on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 30-year-old Lyubushkin is averaging 16:58 time-on-ice, recording 11 points (0G / 11A), 82 blocks, an 62 hits in 53 games this season. Brendan Smith draws into the lineup as Lyubushkin's replacement.
Ilya Lyubushkin is battling an upper-body injury and will not play on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings, allowing Smith to re-enter the lineup. The 35-year-old Smith is averaging 12:35 time-on-ice, recording three points (0G / 3A), and 31 hits in 22 games this season.
The Stars are coming off a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, snapping a five-game winning streak, and will hope to return to the win column on Friday with Oettinger tending the twine against the Los Angeles Kings. Oettinger has played well lately, allowing three or fewer goals in nine straight (6-3-0), posting a solid .925 SV%. He has a 2.31 GAA and .912 SV% through 39 games this season (26-12-1). The Stars enter Friday's contest as slight -100 road underdogs against a Kings squad riding a two-game winning streak.
Texier is battling an illness, did not play on Thursday, but could be ready to return on Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 25-year-old Texier is averaging 12:35 time-on-ice and has nine points (4G / 5A) in 27 games this season.
On the front end of a back-to-back, the Kings will turn to Rittich between the pipes on Friday against the Dallas Stars. Rittich has only played twice in the previous 11 games. He has a 2.62 GAA and .887 SV% in 23 games this season (11-11-0) and was exceptional in his only meeting against the Stars this season, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 3-2 victory. The Kings enter Friday's contest as slight -109 home favorites against a Stars team coming off a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
Rosen was the 14th overall pick of the Sabres in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old played two games with the Sabres this season but has predominantly been in the AHL, scoring 39 points (23G / 16A) in 40 games with the Rochester Americans.
After being outscored 9-0 in two straight games (0-2-0), Minnesota responded with an impressive 2-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in one of Gustavsson's best performances lately, saving 37 of 38 shots (.974 SV%). The 26-year-old Gustavsson had struggled before his most recent victory, allowing four or more goals in six of eight contests (2-5-0), posting an ugly .873 SV%. He has a 2.61 GAA and .915 SV% in 36 appearances this season (21-11-3).
On the tail end of a back-to-back, Dobes will be between the pipes for the Canadiens on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the final game before the two-week hiatus to accommodate the 4 Nations Face-Off. After a brilliant start to the young 23-year-old Czech netminder's NHL career, winning his first five games and posting a .941 SV%, Dobes has lost three straight (0-2-1) and posted a .887 SV%.
On the front end of a back-to-back, the Canadiens will turn to Montembeault between the pipes on Saturday against a New Jersey Devils squad that has scored three or fewer goals in four of their last five games (2-3-0). The 28-year-old Montembeault was serviceable in his most recent outing, saving 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks. He has a 2.99 GAA and .898 SV% in 40 games this season (18-19-3).
Gudas was absent from practice on Thursday due to an illness and his status for Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Kings is uncertain. The 34-year-old Gudas is averaging 19:10 time-on-ice, recording 12 points (1G / 11A), 124 blocks, and 181 hits in 53 games this season.
The Oilers are riding a two-game winning streak and will turn to Skinner between the pipes on Friday against the Colorado Avalanche. Skinner played well in his most recent outing, saving 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime win over the St. Louis Blues. The 26-year-old netminder has a .918 SV% in his last 22 games (14-6-2). The Oilers enter Friday's contest as -175 home favorites against an Avalanche squad that played last night, defeating the Calgary Flames 4-2.
Compher has not played since January 25th, missing five straight games, but will likely return to the lineup on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 29-year-old Compher recorded an assist in his most recent outing, snapping a six-game pointless skid. He has 21 points (6G / 15A) in 48 games this season but has only recorded two (1G / 1A) in his last 12.
The Red Wings have won seven straight and will turn to Lyon between the pipes on Saturday afternoon when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Lyon has been excellent lately, posting a .940 SV% in his last three games (2-0-1). The 32-year-old netminder has a 2.58 GAA and .908 SV% in 21 appearances this season (10-6-1).
The Islanders have won eight of their last nine (8-1-0) and will turn to Sorokin between the pipes on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Sorokin was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 33 of 34 shots (.971 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. The 29-year-old netminder has an outstanding .952 SV% and two shutouts in his last nine games (8-1-0).
Pelletier will likely make his Flyers debut on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 23-year-old Pelletier averaged 12:38 time-on-ice and had 11 points (4G / 7A) in 24 games with the Flames this season.
Kuzmenko will likely make his Flyers debut on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Kuzmenko broke onto the NHL scene in the 2022-23 season with a tremendous 74 points (39G / 35A) in 81 games with the Vancouver Canucks. The now 28-year-old has struggled to recapture that scoring prowess, with only 61 points (26G / 35A) in 109 games since.
With Jason Dickinson out week-to-week with an ankle injury, Kurashev will re-enter Chicago's lineup for the first time since January 30th. The 25-year-old Kurashev has only eight points (4G / 4A) through 36 games this season after an impressive 54-point campaign (18G / 36A) in 75 games last season.
The Blackhawks have lost three straight while alternating netminders and will switch to Mrazek on Friday, hoping for a better result against the Nashville Predators. The 32-year-old Mrazek allowed five goals on 44 shots (.886 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-1 loss to the Florida Panthers. He has a 3.32 GAA and .895 SV% in 30 appearances this season (9-18-2). The Blackhawks enter Friday's contest as +171 road underdogs against a Predators squad that defeated them 3-2 on January 16th.
