Brodzinski has appeared in just two games this season but will replace Dylan Gambrell, who will miss at least two games with an upper-body injury. Brodzinski has just 11 points (6G / 5A) in 56 career NHL games.
Gambrell suffered an upper-body injury in Boston on Tuesday and will not play in the Sharks' Friday/Saturday back-to-back. Gambrell, who has four points (1G / 3A) in 12 games, will be replaced by Jonny Brodzinski on Friday.
Jones allowed five goals on 41 shots in the Sharks loss in Boston on Tuesday. Things are not going well for Jones, who comes into Friday's game having lost four in a row (0-3-1) with a 3.93 GAA and .878 SV%. You simply can't trust Jones right now, even against a Jets team that is 25th in the NHL in goal-scoring (2.62 GF/gm). This team may turn it around but right now there is a lot more that could go wrong than right.
Malkin has missed the last 11 games with a lower-body injury but was on the ice during Friday's practice and has a chance to return on Saturday. Malkin, who has one goal in two games to start the season, remains a game-time decision so monitor his status on Saturday morning.
The Rangers will stick with the same lineup on Saturday, which means Zibanejad will miss his second straight game. Rangers' head coach David Quinn announced that Zibanejad's injury is in the "neck area." Filip Chytil played very well in Zibanejad's absence, so expect them to make sure he's 100 percent before re-inserting him into the lineup in a November game.
Hawryluk was absolutely destroyed by Nikita Zadorov in the Panthers/Avalanche game on Wednesday. With no reserve forwards, the Panthers will need to recall or a forward or go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen on Saturday.
Grubauer surrendered four-goal on 38 shots in Colorado's overtime loss to the Panthers on Wednesday. Grubauer had an outstanding start to the season but has now allowed at least three goals in five of his last six starts--going 3-1-2 with a 2.95 GAA and .909 SV% over that stretch. Tonight he'll take on a Stars team that currently ranks dead last in goal scoring (2.21 GF/gm) through 14 games.
Ferland left Wednesday's game in Los Angeles after a fight with Kyle Clifford. The Canucks have not disclosed what he is dealing with, but he's back in Vancouver and Sven Baertschi was called up from Utica (AHL), so expect him to suit up in Ferland's spot during the back-to-back.
Georgiev allowed one goal on 30 shots in the Rangers win over the Lightning on Tuesday. It was a terrific outing for the young netminder, who had a pretty solid month of October, going 2-2-1 with a 2.56 GAA and .924 SV%. As well as he has played, he'll be in tough on Saturday. Nashville is 6-1-2 on home ice and leads the NHL in goal-scoring (4.08 GF/gm).
Muzzin was banged up against Capitals but he won't play Saturday due to a personal reason, not injury. This is a positive development and suggests that Muzzin could be back as soon as Tuesday vs. the Kings.
Tavares has missed the last six games with a broken finger but was a full participant in the Maple Leafs' practice on Friday and he is "hopeful" to play on Saturday. Toronto went 2-2-2 without Tavares and he comes back with seven points (3G / 4A) in eight games, whenever he's healthy.
Bobrovsky allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Panthers win in Colorado on Wednesday. Bobrovsky is starting to play better, winning three of his last four starts while stopping 93 of the 105 shots (.886 SV%) that he faced. He still doesn't look like a $10.0M goalie but things are starting to look up. He is one of the best options on Saturday's slate with a matchup vs. a low-scoring Red Wings team on a back-to-back.
Rask stopped 16 of 17 shots in the Bruins win over the Sharks on Tuesday. All Rask does is win. He has started the season at 6-0-1 with a league-leading .951 SV% and 1.41 GAA. He's been outstanding every time he's started and I don't need to tell you that he's a must-start against Ottawa.
Anderson made 34 saves on 36 shots in the Senators win over the Sharks last Sunday. The Senators have had a lot of time off but return to ice with a terrible matchup on Saturday. The Bruins are the best team in the NHL right now at 9-1-2 (.833 P%) and are currently averaging the 10th most goals per game (3.42) through 12 games.
Witkowski was a healthy scratch in New Jersey but will likely replace Carter Verhaeghe on the fourth-line on Friday. Witkowski has one goal and two assists in 11 games this season.
Cernak was a late-scratch in New Jersey on Wednesday and is listed as a game-time decision for Friday's game vs. the Islanders. Cernak doesn't provide a lot of offence (1G / 0A) but has solid peripheral stats (3.2 hits/gm and 1.7 blocks/gm).
Howard stopped 31 of 32 shots in the Red Wings win over the Oilers on Tuesday. The Red Wings' netminders have been alternating starts but on Friday, Hethey will start Howard two in a row for the first time this season. He is 10-10-1 on the road since the start of last season and Hurricanes present a very scary road matchup for Howie and the Red Wings.
Abdelkader has missed the last three games with a lower-body issue but is expected to play in Carolina. Abdelkader fills a fourth-line role for Detroit and comes in with three assists while playing 13:08 ATOI in 10 games this season.
Larkin missed Thursday's practice but head coach Jeff Blashill anticipates his No.1 centre playing in Carolina. After going quiet for a few games, Larkin has tallied two goals and two assists in his last two games, giving him 11 points (4G / 7A) in 13 games this season.
Merzlikins stopped all 19 shots that he faced after replacing Joonas Korpisalo in the Blue Jackets loss to the Oilers on Wednesday. Tonight will be Merzlikins' first start since October 18th and he comes in having allowed a combined 10 goals on 92 shots (.891 SV%) in three appearances this season. Even without Vladimir Tarasenko, the Blues present a difficult road test--there are better options than Merzlikins tonight.
