The Maple Leafs do not appear to have anyone noticeably injured so Beniot's recall may be due to precautionary reasons but nonetheless, he finds himself back up with the Maple Leafs after the All-Star break. The 25-year-old signed a one-year minimum contract in the offseason but has been useful for Toronto, with two points (1G/1A), 34 SOG, 33 PIMs and a +2 plus/minus through 35 games this season.
McTavish will be out of the lineup on Friday against the Edmonton Oilers due to an upper-body injury. Before the All-Star break, McTavish had points in four of his last six games, collecting one goal, three assists, and 20 penalty minutes.
The Ducks make their return to the ice from the All-Star break on Friday night and will turn to John Gibson between the pipes. Gibson last played on January 31st, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. The 30-year-old Gibson has a tough task at hand as the Ducks are significant +236 road underdogs against a high-scoring Edmonton Oilers club that lost for the first time in 16 games on Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Condotta played the last three games for the Canadiens and was held without a point while firing four shots on goal. Condotta had 16 goals, 14 assists, 61 PIMs and a +1 plus/minus in 71 games with the Laval Rocket (AHL) last season. The 25-year-old joined the Canadiens as an undrafted free agent in 2021-22 after finishing school at UMass-Lowell (NCAA).
Richard played 13 games with the Montreal Canadiens last season but has spent the majority of his career playing in the AHL. In 41 games with the Providence Bruins this season, the 27-year-old Richard has 37 points (18G / 19A).
Mrazek will 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.
Nedeljkovic will start his first game since the All-Star break on Friday evening when the Penguins visit the Minnesota Wild. The 28-year-old Nedeljkovic has only played once in the last seven games for the Penguins but was excellent, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers. Nedeljkovic was victorious against Minnesota on December 16th, saving 24 of 27 shots (.889 SV%) in a 4-3 win.
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.
