Saros is battling an injury and might be sidelined in Friday's contest against the Buffalo Sabres. Justus Annunen was in the starter's crease at Nashville's morning skate on Friday, indicating that an EBUG will likely be his backup if Saros cannot suit up.
Cooley showed no signs of an injury in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, recording an assist and playing 17:47 time-on-ice, but will be out indefinitely due to a lower-body injury. The 20-year-old forward has been enjoying a tremendous season with Utah, scoring 43 points (15G / 28A) in 50 games.
Colorado has struggled lately, losing four of their last five (1-3-1), and will likely turn to Blackwood between the pipes on Friday against the St. Louis Blues. Blackwood has struggled lately, allowing three or more goals in five straight (1-3-1), posting a .874 SV%. He has a 2.28 GAA and .918 SV% in 17 games with the Avalanche this season (10-5-2). Colorado enters Friday's contest as -175 home favorites against a St. Louis team outscored 11-4 during a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).
The Panthers are coming off a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings when Bobrovsky saved all 29 shots he faced for his second shutout. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky returns to the crease on Saturday and will look to build on his 2.72 GAA and .901 SV% through 34 games (21-11-2). He has played much better lately, posting a .919 SV% in his last 13 games (7-5-1).
With Miro Heiskanen (lower body) out week-to-week, Dallas has recalled Capobianco from the Texas Stars (AHL). The 27-year-old Capobianco has been solid from the blue line at the AHL level, scoring 28 points (2G / 26A) in 35 games with Texas this season. At morning skate on Friday, Capobianco was practicing with the Stars' second powerplay unit.
The Stars are riding a three-game winning streak and will roll with Oettinger between the pipes on Friday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 26-year-old Oettinger has a .882 SV% in his last three games but has salvaged a 2-1-0 record. He has a 2.30 GAA and .912 SV% through 37 games this season (25-11-1). The Stars enter Friday's contest as -160 home favorites against a Canucks squad outscoring their opposition 10-4 during a three-game winning streak.
Annunen has won his last four starts and will likely return to the crease on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 24-year-old Annunen allowed five goals on 35 shots (.857 SV%) in his most recent outing but was able to shut the door when needed to secure a 6-5 victory over the San Jose Sharks. He has been solid since joining the Predators, posting a 2.65 GAA and .914 SV% through nine appearances (6-2-0). The Predators enter Friday's contest as -116 road favorites against a Sabres squad coming off a 7-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.
Clifton is battling an illness and will be sidelined for a third straight game on Friday against the Nashville Predators. The 29-year-old Clifton is averaging 15:15 time-on-ice and has eight points (0G / 8A) in 46 games this season.
Carlile has just four career NHL games under his belt, but did score a goal against the Seattle Kraken on December 14th in his first appearance of the season. He has three goals and four assists in 36 AHL games this season.
Stillman played a game for the Hurricanes earlier this season, his first NHL action since the 2022-23 season. He has five points (2G / 3A) in 15 games with the Chicago Wolves (AHL) this season. Ryan Suzuki was assigned to the Chicago Wolves (AHL) in a corresponding move.
Harvey-Pinard recorded one hit and played 8:45 time-on-ice in his Canadiens' season debut on Thursday but has been assigned to the Laval Rocket (AHL). The 26-year-old forward has 11 points (4G / 7A) in 24 games with the Laval Rocket (AHL) this season.
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.
Motte just returned from an upper-body injury on Monday, and it's unclear whether he may have reaggravated the injury or if he's simply a healthy scratch for Thursday's game. His absence makes way for the return of Vladimir Tarasenko (illness).
Anderson was struck by a puck late in the first period of Thursday's game and was unable to return. Los Angeles did not provide an update post game but Head Coach Jim Hiller mentioned that they were "concerned".
Rooney will slot in for Andrei Kuzmenko, who was a late scratch on Thursday. Rooney has three goals and one assist in 39 games this season.
Kuzmenko was a late scratch on Thursday after taking full part in the morning skate earlier in the day. It's unclear if he's simply a healthy scratch or dealing with some sort of injury. Kevin Rooney will draw into the lineup in his place.
