The Stars have been bleeding goals lately, allowing 11 in their last four periods. Oettinger allowed five on 33 shots in his previous outing (.848 SV%) but was playing well before that blip, allowing two or fewer in five straight (5-0-0), posting a .934 SV%. The Stars enter the action on Friday as -138 home favorites against division rivals, the Colorado Avalanche, coming off a 2-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights.
Tarasov has not played since November 16th and will not suit on Friday due to an illness. The 25-year-old Tarasov has an ugly 4.04 GAA and .861 SV% in eight games this season (3-4-1). The Blue Jackets have recalled Jet Greaves from the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) on an emergency basis.
Granlund was a late scratch on Monday, with his absence being announced prior to warmups, and did not play on Wednesday. Macklin Celebrini centered the Sharks first line in his place. The 32-year-old Granlund has been excellent since joining the Sharks last season, scoring 84 points (21G / 63A) in 92 combined games.
Swayman has only played three of the last six games for the Bruins but will return to the crease on Friday. The 26-year-old Swayman has had an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign, posting an ugly 3.16 GAA and .888 SV% in 16 games (6-8-2). That said, he has saved 32 of 34 shots faced (.941 SV%) over his last two games (1-1-0). The Bruins enter Friday's contest as -166 home favorites against a Pittsburgh Penguins club coming off a 5-4 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, the first time they have scored over four goals since October 16th.
Meier was issued a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct late after an illegal cross-check on Zachary L'Heureux of the Nashville Predators. After a hearing with NHL Player Safety, Meier was issued a one-game suspension. Meier is averaging 17:09 time-on-ice and has 15 points (7G / 8A) in 24 games this season.
For the third time in the last five games, the Flyers will roll with Fedotov between the pipes. Fedotov has allowed four goals in three of his previous four games (2-1-1) and has a 3.69 GAA and .874 SV% in eight games this season (3-4-1). The Flyers enter the action on Friday as +127 road underdogs against a New York Rangers club riding a four-game losing skid.
With Daniil Tarsov under the weather, the Blue Jackets have recalled Greaves from the AHL. The 23-year-old Greaves has a 3.23 GAA and .908 SV% in 11 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season (7-3-1).
The Rangers are amid a season-worst four-game losing skid and will turn to Shesterkin between the pipes for the third straight game. The 2021-22 Vezina Trophy winner has played well below expectations lately, allowing three or more goals in six of his last seven games (2-5-0), posting an ugly .880 SV%. That said, Shesterkin has a sublime 2.23 GAA and .934 SV% in 12 career games (8-3-1) against the Philadelphia Flyers.
With Tampa Bay playing back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday, Tomkins' call-up from the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) could indicate the team is looking for an option other than Jonas Johansson between the pipes for one of the games. The 30-year-old Tomkins has a 3.12 GAA and .890 SV% in eight games with Syracuse (3-5-0). He posted a 3.33 GAA and .892 SV% in six games with Tampa Bay last season (3-2-1).
Petrovic has only played one regular season NHL game in the last five years but had an impact in seven playoff games with Dallas this past postseason. His call-up gives Dallas another option on the blueline with Nils Lundkvist (lower body) sidelined.
Vanecek has been battling an upper-body injury the last two weeks but will return to the crease for the first time since November 16th. The 28-year-old Vanecek has a 3.36 GAA and .899 SV% in 10 games this season (2-5-1). The Sharks enter the action on Friday afternoon as +134 home underdogs against a Seattle Kraken club that has failed to score more than three goals in their previous seven games (4-3-0).
For the seventh time in the last eight games, Utah HC will roll with Vejmelka between the pipes. Vejmelka has been thrust into a starting role due to the injury of Connor Ingram (upper body) and has not disappointed. The 28-year-old Vejmelka boasts a terrific 2.25 GAA and .922 SV% in 11 games this season (3-6-0). He has allowed three or fewer goals in eight straight appearances (3-4-0), posting a superb .933 SV%. Utah HC enters Friday's contest as +139 home underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers club coming off an impressive 6-2 win over the New York Rangers.
Toronto's Head Coach told the media postgame that forward Bobby McMann was day-to-day with a lower-body injury after leaving Wednesday's game vs. Florida early and not returning. The 28-year-old had been filling in admirably while Toronto dealt with its vast array of injuries; with his six goals, seven points and 52 SOG in 21 games played this season. Expect updates on the extent of McMann's injury on Thursday.
Gregor has not played since November 14th but will draw back into the lineup on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks. The 26-year-old Gregor is averaging 13:07 time-on-ice, has three points (2G / 1A), and 34 hits in 16 games this season.
