Oleksiak missed three games with a concussion and was a healthy scratch for the last three games but will replace Juuso Riikola on Friday. Oleksiak has 11 points (4G / 7A) in 32 games this season.
Hellebuyck allowed three goals on 24 shots in the Jets win in Edmonton on Monday. The loss snapped a brief two-game losing skid for Hellebuyck, who finished December at 7-4-0 with a 2.54 GAA and .916 SV%—his best month of the season so far. In his first start against the Penguins, Hellebuyck allowed four goals on 30 shots in a 4-3 loss (Nov.27).
Copley allowed two goals on 33 shots in the Capitals win in Ottawa last Saturday. Copley is riding a five-game winning streak, having posted an impressive 1.97 GAA, .936 SV% and one shutout over that stretch. Tonight he faces a Stars team that has won four of their last six (4-1-1) but will be without Jamie Benn.
Khudobin stopped all 49 shots that he faced in the Stars shutout win in Nashville on December 27th. It was an outstanding performance from the Stars’ backup, who is tied for 12th in the NHL in SV% (.920) in 18 appearances. Tonight he faces a red-hot Capitals team but they come in on the tail-end of a back-to-back after a bad loss in St. Louis.
Pageau has missed the first 41 games of the season but will return much earlier than expected. Pageau’s original timetable was late-February/early-March but will play Sunday vs. the Hurricanes. Pageau, who has 29 points (14G / 15A) in 78 games last year, will centre the third line with Zack Smith and Mikkel Boedker on his wings.
Sparks missed Thursday’s game in concussion protocol and the Maple Leafs confirmed that he suffered a concussion and is out indefinitely. The Maple Leafs will likely stick with Michael Hutchinson until Frederik Andersen is ready to return.
Murray allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Penguins win in New York on Wednesday. Murray continued his dominant play since returning from injury, extending his winning streak to six games—posting a 1.48 GAA, .955 SV% and one shutout in the process. The Jets have gone 12-6-0 on the road this season and are averaging the seventh most goals per game (3.41).
Bobrovsky allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Blue Jackets win over the Senators on Monday. Bobrovsky has won five of his last six (5-1-0) while posting a 1.84 GAA, .941 SV% and two shutouts. Bobrovsky is red-hot and draws a solid matchup against a Hurricanes team that played last night and is 10-7-4 on home-ice this season.
Howard gave up four goals on 34 shots in the Red Wings loss to the Flames on Wednesday. Howard has lost each of his last five starts (0-4-1) with a 3.20 GAA and .896 SV%. Howard was red-hot in the early portion of the season but has expectedly cooled off over the last month. Tonight he faces a Predators team that is 9-8-2 on the road this year.
Bishop left the game in Philadelphia after playing just 2:15 TOI and is questionable for Friday’s game against the Blue Jackets. Greg McKegg was recalled from Charlotte (AHL) and would play if Bishop can’t go.
McKegg has scored six goals with 17 assists (23 points) in 31 games with Charlotte. The 26-year-old has 13 points (7G / 6A) in 91 career NHL games with the Maple Leafs, Panthers, Lightning and Penguins.
Staal has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury and was moved to IR to open up a roster spot for Greg McKegg to be called-up.
Rodewald appeared in three games during his call-up but didn’t record a point. The 24-year-old heads back to the AHL, where he has 11 goals and 13 assists (24 points) in 26 games.
Balcers has had a solid season in Belleville, scoring 14 goals with 12 assists (26 points) in 36 games. The former fifth-round pick could make his NHL debut this weekend after replacing Jack Rodewald on the Senators roster.
Pettersson’s leg bent awkwardly in a collision with Canadiens’ rookie Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The Canucks did not have much of an update postgame but said that they expect him to remain with them during their road-trip. Expect a more detailed update after Pettersson is re-evaluated.
Quick stopped 22 of 24 shots in the Kings win in Colorado on Monday. Quick was given Tuesday night off so it’s not surprising that the Kings will come back to him tonight vs. a red-hot Lightning team. Quick finished December at 6-5-1 with a 2.33 GAA, .922 SV% and one shutout but should be left on the bench vs. the highest scoring team in the NHL.
