Newhook has been out of the lineup since November 30th with an ankle injury but is expected to return to the Canadiens' lineup on Saturday. The 23-year-old Newhook was playing well before his injury, scoring 13 points (7G / 6A) in 23 games, and could be in for an increase in offensive deployment after the departure of Sean Monahan.
Shesterkin has not played since January 26th, including serving as the backup to Jonathan Quick in both games since the All-Star break. Shesterkin has struggled all season, including allowing three or more goals in three of his last four games (1-2-1), posting an ugly .846 SV%. The 28-year-old netminder will have a chance to redeem himself in a favourable matchup on Friday as the Rangers are sizeable -297 road favourites against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Vladar has not played since January 20th, serving as a backup to Jacob Markstrom, but will be out of the lineup for at least a week after being placed on IR with a lower-body injury on Friday. The Flames have recalled Dustin Wolf from the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) to replace Vladar, who owns an ugly 3.27 GAA and .888 SV% in 16 games (7-7-2).
With Dan Vladar being placed on IR with a lower-body injury, the Flames have recalled Wolf from the Wranglers (AHL). Wolf has played five games with the Flames this season, but most of his heavy lifting has been done with the Wranglers, where he has been sensational this season, posting a 2.27 GAA and .927 SV% in 28 games (18-7-2).
Smith was placed on the Injured Reserve retroactive to January 15th Thursday so that the Devils' could open up cap space to recall Santeria Hatakka. The 34-year-old Smith is nearing a return to the lineup after participating at practice on Friday but is still considered day-to-day and will be out Saturday. He has five points (1G/4A) in 34 games played so far in 2023-24.
Romanov played only 13:34 time-on-ice on Thursday and did not participate in practice on Friday for maintenance. In his last seven games, Romanov has three points (1G / 2A), 11 shots, and eight hits.
Svechnikov appeared almost ready to return Thursday as he was originally a game-time decision with his upper-body injury but was ruled out, pushing his potential return to Saturday as the forward himself has exclaimed: "I'm ready". The 23-year-old last appeared for the Hurricanes on January 19th and has an impressive 30 points (11G/19A) in 29 games played so far in 2023-24.
Goligoski will draw out of the lineup on Friday, allowing Jonas Brodin to return from a one-game absence due to an illness. Goligoski played 17:07 time-on-ice on Wednesday, recording a -1 plus/minus rating.
Brodin did not play on Wednesday due to an illness but will re-enter the lineup on Friday, replacing Alex Goligoski. In 32 games this season, Brodin has 13 points (1G / 12A), 61 shots, and 81 blocks.
Bortuzzo has been out of the lineup since January 2nd with a lower-body injury but appears to be nearing a return after being a full participant at practice on Friday. The 34-year-old Bortuzzo has been held without a point in 15 games this season while tallying 21 hits and 20 blocks.
Montembeault will start for the second straight game and look to extend his win streak to three when he tends the twine Saturday afternoon against the Dallas Stars. Montembeault was terrific in his last outing, saving 37 of 39 shots (.949 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals. The Canadiens defeated the Dallas Stars 4-3 last month when Montembeault saved 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%).
Mrazek will likely start for the fourth straight on Friday night when the Blackhawks host the New York Rangers. Despite losing his last four games, the 31-year-old Mrazek has been excellent lately, allowing two or fewer goals in each contest, and boasting a dazzling .941 SV%. That said, the Blackhawks rank worst in the league offensively (2.06 GF / GP) and will be hard-pressed for a victory as +257 home underdogs against the Rangers.
Beckman went pointless in nine games with the Wild last season and is yet to play an NHL game in the 2023-24 season. The 22-year-old winger has nine goals and ten assists in 37 AHL games this season.
Despite losing his last contest, the Sabres will turn to Luukkonen between the pipes for the third straight game on Saturday. Luukkonen was excellent in a 2-1 losing effort to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, saving 28 of 38 shots (.933 SV%). The 24-year-old Luukkonen started the season as the third-string netminder for the Sabres but has deservedly earned his way into being the go-to guy between the pipes.
Killorn has missed the last six games with a knee injury and is progressing toward returning to the Ducks' lineup over the next couple of weeks. In his first season with the Ducks, Killorn has 19 points (6G / 13A) in 34 games, his lowest point-per-game pace in six seasons.
Mintyukov has been out of the lineup since January 9th, missing 10 games with a shoulder injury, but appears to be nearing a return. The rookie defender was enjoying an impressive first season in the NHL, registering 19 points (2G / 17A), 56 hits, and 43 blocks in 40 games.
Jones has not played since January 5th, missing 12 games with an upper-body injury, but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Edmonton Oilers. In 34 games this season, the 25-year-old Jones has eight points (4G / 4A).
Whitecloud will sit on Thursday to make way for the season debut of Daniil Miromanov. Whitecloud has two goals and three assists in 36 games this season.
Miromanov spent last season split between Vegas and Henderson (AHL) but suffered an injury that has kept him sidelined so far this season. In a conditioning stint with Henderson, the 26-year-old was impressive, scoring six points (1G / 5A) in five games. Miromanov appeared in 14 games last season and picked up two goals, four assists, 22 SOG, two PIMs and a -6 plus/minus before his injury.
The Vegas Golden Knights will turn to Hill for the second straight game when they travel to Tempe to take on the Coyotes on Thursday. Hill played an integral role in snapping the Oilers' 16-game winning streak in Vegas on Tuesday, stopping 30 of the 31 shots he faced enroute to the 3-1 victory. Hill has picked up right where he left off since returning from an undisclosed injury, winning all three of his starts and posting a .955 SV% in the process. He leads the NHL with a .938 SV% and a 1.88 GAA in 18 appearances this season.
