Viel played one game with Boston earlier this season but has spent the majority of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL. The 28-year-old forward has 26 points (8G / 18A) in 51 games with the Providence Bruins (AHL) this season.
Gourde has not played since January 2nd and but appears to be nearing a return after ramping up intensity at practice. The 33-year-old forward is averaging 15:34 time-on-ice and has 16 points (6G / 10A) in 35 games. His name has floated around trade rumors recently and his return to the lineup should coincide with the upcoming March 7th trade deadline.
Utah HC has won three straight, all with Vejmelka between the pipes, and will roll with him again on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. The 28-year-old Vejmelka has been terrific lately, allowing two or fewer goals in four straight (4-0-0) while posting a near-perfect .942 SV%. He has a 2.44 GAA and .910 SV% through 37 appearances this season (16-15-4).
The Kings had David Rittich between the pipes in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks and will likely return to Kuemper on Friday against the Dallas Stars. Kuemper was solid in his most recent outing, saving 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. The 34-year-old Kuemper has a 2.21 GAA and .917 SV% in 31 games this season (18-6-6). The Kings enter Friday's contest as +115 road underdogs against a Stars club coming off a disappointing 6-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Bruins claimed Wahlstrom off of waivers from the New York Islanders in December. He will report to Providence (AHL) after clearing waivers on Friday. The 24-year-old Wahlstrom averaged 10:30 time-on-ice, recording two points (1G / 1A) and 27 hits in 16 games with Boston this season.
Kreider aggravated an upper-body injury in Saturday's 8-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres and has missed two straight games but could return to the lineup on Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 33-year-old Kreider is averaging 17:14 time-on-ice and has 21 points (17G / 4A) through 48 games this season.
Dach will be sidelined for the remainder of the season after undergoing successful knee surgery. The 24-year-old Dach has not lived up to potential this season, recording 22 points (10G / 22A) and a -29 plus/minus in 57 games.
Colorado snapped a two-game losing skid in their most recent outing, an impressive 5-1 win over the New Jersey Devils when Blackwood saved 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%). The 28-year-old Blackwood will likely return to Colorado's crease on Friday, looking to build on his 2.12 GAA and .922 SV% through 24 games (15-7-2) with the team. Colorado enters Friday's contest as significant -315 home favorites against a Minnesota Wild squad that lost 6-1 to the Utah Hockey Club last night.
Athanasiou has only played five NHL games this season, scoring zero points. The 30-year-old forward has been far more productive at the AHL level, scoring 16 points (8G / 8A) in 16 games with the Rockford IceHogs.
Kaiser has spent most of the season with the Blackhawks, scoring three points (1G / 2A) in 35 games, but has been in the AHL since late January. The Blackhawks have sent Nolan Allan down to Rockford (AHL) in a corresponding move.
The 21-year-old Allan is averaging 15:08 time-on-ice and has eight points (1G / 7A) through 43 games in his first NHL season. The Blackhawks have recalled Wyatt Kaiser from Rockford (AHL) in a corresponding move.
The Panthers have won two straight and will turn to Bobrovsky between the pipes on Saturday against the Calgary Flames. Bobrovsky saved 24 of 27 shots (.889 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky has a 2.66 GAA and .902 SV% in 39 games this season (24-13-2).
Kleven suffered the injury in the first period of Wednesday's game and was unable to return. The 23-year-old Kleven is averaging 14:19 time-on-ice, recording four points (2G / 2A), 76 blocks, and 70 hits in 58 games this season.
Norris has not played since February 1st and has only played three of the last 11 games for the Senators, but could return to the lineup on Saturday against the San Jose Sharks. The 25-year-old Norris is averaging 18:24 time-on-ice, recording 31 points (19G / 12A), 126 hits, and 92 shots in 50 games this season.
Pinto has not played since February 4th but could return to the lineup on Saturday against the San Jose Sharks. The 24-year-old Pinto is averaging 17:39 time-on-ice and has 22 points (11G / 11A) in 46 games this season.
Tkachuk was injured playing for the American team at the 4Nations Face-Off and has missed two straight games but is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday against the San Jose Sharks. The 25-year-old Tkachuk is averaging 18:37 time-on-ice, recording 44 points (21G / 23A), 101 penalty minutes, and 188 hits through 56 games this season.
Doughty is battling a nagging injury that sidelined him on Wednesday but he will return to the lineup on Friday against the Dallas Stars. The 35-year-old Doughty has only played eight games this season, averaging 25:55 time-on-ice and scoring four points (1G / 3A).
Poitras was limited to only 7:08 time-on-ice in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the New York Islanders, exiting the contest with an undisclosed injury. The 20-year-old Poitras is averaging 12:59 time-on-ice and has 11 points (1G / 10A) in 29 games with Boston this season.
The Canadiens have won three straight, outscoring their opposition 13-5, and will turn to Dobes between the pipes on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. Dobes struggled in his most recent outing, allowing three goals on eight shots (.625 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 23-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.71 AA and .908 SV% in nine appearances this season (5-2-1).
Pierre Engvall will draw back into the Islanders lineup on Saturday against the Nashville Predators, sending Tsyplakov to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Tsyplakov is averaging 15:46 time-on-ice and has 25 points (7G / 18A) in 54 games this season.
