Jensen was a fifth-round pick back in 2009 and was a late-bloomer. Jensen didn’t make his NHL debut until 2017, after 222 career AHL games, and never looked back. Jensen is a reliable two-way defenseman that can be leaned on to kill penalties. He will likely line-up next to Brooks Orpik/Christian Djoos in the third pairing.
Ehlers has been out since January 4th but will return to the Jets lineup Friday in Vegas. Head coach Paul Maurice did not disclosed who Ehlers will play with, but he returns to the lineup with 15 goals and 12 assists (27 points) in 40 games this season. Brendan Lemieux will sit as the healthy scratch.
Fleury allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Golden Knights shootout loss to the Bruins on Wednesday. Fleury’s losing streak was extended to four games, giving up a combined 16 goals on 128 shots (.875 SV%) over that span. In his first start against the Jets, Fleury allowed two goals on 25 shots in a 4-1 loss (Jan.15).
Miller stopped all 31 shots that he faced in the Ducks shutout win in Montreal on Tuesday. Miller has been rock-solid since returning from an injury, winnings two in a row while stopping 54 of 56 shots (.964 SV%). In his first start against the Flames, Miller stopped 37 of 39 shots in a 3-2 win (Nov.7).
Kylington suffered an injury while blocking a shot on Wednesday and will not be available for Friday’s game. Dalton Prout will replace Kylington on the third pairing.
With Brent Seabrook (abdomen) out and Carl Dahlstrom (illness) questionable, Jokiharju has been called up and will likely be in the lineup on Friday. Jokiharju has picked up a point-per-game (1G / 8A) in nine games with Rockford since being sent down. He is one of the Blackhawks best defensemen and could remain with the team moving forward as they continue their hunt for the playoffs.
Ehn, 22, has spent most of the season in Detroit, where he has seven points (2G / 5A) in 44 games. He returns to the AHL where he had one goal and five assists in 10 games with the Griffins.
Hellebuyck allowed seven goals on 46 shots in the Jets blowout loss in Colorado on Wednesday. Hellebuyck has had a tough time recently, losing four of his last six starts (2-3-1) with a 3.82 GAA and .906 SV%. The 25-year-old netminder has gone 10-10- with a 3.12 GAA and .910 SV% in 21 road games this season.
Sateri will serve as Jonathan Bernier’s backup on Friday because Jimmy Howard is dealing with an illness. Sateri has gone 18-9-0 with a 2.79 GAA and .902 SV% in 30 games with the Griffins this season.
Howard is the latest Red Wing to get hit by the virus that is going around the locker room and has already forced Frans Nielsen and Gustav Nyquist to miss one game. Harri Sateri has been called- up from Grand Rapids (AHL) to backup Jonathan Bernier.
Bernier allowed one goal on 12 shots after replacing Jimmy Howard in an eventual overtime loss to the Blackhawks on Wednesday. Bernier has made three straight abbreviated appearances, stopping 27 of the 30 shots (.900 SV%) that he has faced. Overall, it hasn’t been a great year for Bernier, who comes into Friday’s game at 1-4-1 with a 2.69 GAA and .904 SV% at Little Caesars Arena.
Murray is out indefinitely after suffering an upper-body injury against the Lightning on Monday. This is a tough break for Murray, who has set career-highs in assists (28) and points (29) in 56 games this season. His move to IR opens up a roster spot so Matt Duchene could be added to the roster.
Smith allowed two goals on 19 shots in the Flames win over the Islanders on Wednesday. Smith will make his fifth straight start, having won three in a row while making 78 saves on 86 shots (.907 SV%). Smith continues to play well and makes for a solid option against a Ducks team that ranks last in the NHL in goal-scoring (2.23 GF/pg).
Davidsson is a more under the radar prospect, who quickly rose up the ranks in Columbus after a strong season in Sweden a year ago. Davidsson has continued that play with similar numbers this season, scoring 10 goals with 10 assists (20 points) in 35 games as a 21-year-old with Djurgårdens IF.
Abramov is a highly touted prospect, who was at the top of the Blue Jackets farm system after being picked in the third-round (No.65 overall) in 2016. The under-sized winger (5-foot-9, 171 lbs) has excellent elusiveness and dangling ability, that he he has used to score 12 goals with 10 assists (22 points) in 52 AHL games this season.
Bergman is a right-shot defenseman that was originally drafted by the Sharks in the second-round of the 2014 NHL Draft. The 23-year-old was shipped to Ottawa as a part of the Mike Hoffman deal and is on the move for the second time in a year. Bergman’s offence has dropped off in each of the last two seasons. So far this year, he has no goals and six assists in 33 AHL games and is expected to report to Cleveland (AHL).
Smith allowed two goals on 19 shots in the Flames win over the Islanders on Wednesday. Smith will make his fifth straight start, having won three in a row while making 78 saves on 86 shots (.907 SV%). Smith continues to play well and makes for a solid option against a Ducks team that ranks last in the NHL in goal-scoring (2.23 GF/pg).
Duchene is expected to walk across the hall and make his Blue Jackets debut tonight in Ottawa. It remains to be seen where Duchene will slot into the lineup, but the second line seems like the most reasonable spot. Despite playing for a mostly poor Senators team, Duchene is on-pace to set a new career-high in goals (39) and points (84). The 2019 first-round pick is lottery protected and the Senators will only receive the 2020 pick if Duchene re-signs in Columbus.
