Hischier has missed the last two games, but was back on the ice for practice on Friday and could be back on Saturday. Hischier has registered 12 points (3G / 9A) in 15 games this season.
With Braden Holtby out with an upper-body injury, 2015 first-round pick Ilya Samsonov has been called-up to backup Pheonix Copley on Friday. The 21-year-old has gone 3-5-0 with a 3.73 gAA and .875 SV% in eight AHL games this season.
Copley allowed two goals on 23 shots in the Capitals loss in Winnipeg on Wednesday. The loss snapped a three-game losing streak for Copley, who has a 2.76 GAA and .905 SV% in six games this season. With Braden Holtby out with an upper-body injury, Copley will make his third start in four nights.
Nemeth was a healthy scratch vs. the Bruins on Wednesday, but will replace Nikita Zadorov on Friday. Nemeth has just one assist in 13 games this season.
Zadorov played a season-low 7:22 on Wednesday and will be replaced by Patrik Nemeth on Friday. Zadorov has just one goal and two assists in 18 games this season.
The Bruins added Zdeno Chara and John Moore to their list of injured defensemen, so 2015 first-round pick Jakub Zboril will make his NHL debut on Friday. Zboril has four points (2G / 2A) in 13 games with Providence this season.
The Bruins are extremely banged up on the back-end, so 2013 fifth round pick Connor Clifton will play tonight in Dallas. Clifton has just four assists in 14 AHL games this season and 17 points (4G / 14A) in 68 career games with Providence.
Wagner has recorded just one goal and one assist in 17 games this season, but will be replaced by Noel Acciari on the fourth line tonight.
Acciari was a healthy scratch for the last three games, but will replace Chris Wagner tonight. Acciari has no points in 15 games this season.
Holtby was a late scratch from Wednesday’s game in Winnipeg and he will miss his second straight game on Friday. With Holtby out, Pheonix Copley is expected to start and Ilya Samsonov will be called up.
Oshie was hurt late in Wednesday’s game in Winnipeg and he will not play Friday in Colorado. With Oshie and Evgeny Kuznetsov out, players from Washington’s third line (Burakovsky—Eller—Connolly) will have to take on a larger role.
Kuznetsov was injured in Winnipeg on Wednesday and will not play Friday in Colorado. The Capitals will be shorthanded with both Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie out with upper-body injuries. Lars Eller is expected to skate with Alex Ovechkin while Kuznetsov is out.
Berglund was a healthy scratch on Tuesday, but will replace Evan Rodrigues in the lineup on Friday. Berglund is expected to see some time on the Sabres 21st ranked power-play, giving hime some punt value in daily fantasy. Berglund has had a slow start to the season, picking up just four points (2G / 2A) in 16 games.
Rodrigues played in the last five games, recording two assists and 13 shots, but will be replace by Patrik Berglund in the lineup on Friday. Rodrigues is still searching for his first goal to go along with six assists in 15 games this season.
Nieto is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, so Sven Andrighetto (lower-body) will re-enter the lineup and replace him on the Colorado fourth line on Friday.
Andrighetto has missed the last six games with a lower-body injury, but will replace Matt Nieto on the Colorado fourth line. Andrighetto has moved up and down the lineup this season so don’t be surprised if he sees some middle-6 ice-time during the game. He has just one goal on 12 shots in six games this season.
To make things even worse for Boston, Moore will come out of the Bruins lineup, making him one of six defensemen that will not play on Friday. Moore is unlikely to play Saturday in Arizona.
Rask allowed three goals on 14 shots after replacing Jaroslav Halak in the Bruins 8-5 loss to the Canucks on November 8th. After his personal leave, Rask is ready to start tonight in Dallas. Rask has had some struggles this season and will be in tough vs. a good offence with an extremely banged up blueline in front of him.
Hutton made 29 saves on 30 shots in the Sabres win over the Lightning on Tuesday. Hutton has impressed in recent games, winning three in a row while turning aside 70 of 74 shots (.950 SV%). However, he draws a brutal road matchup tonight in Winnipeg—the 32-year-old is 2-4-0 with a 2.69 GAA and .907 SV% on the road this year.
