Kaliyev has missed the last three games but will draw back into the lineup on Friday. The 22-year-old Kaliyev has failed to record a point in eight straight games while averaging nearly 13 minutes of time-on-ice per night.
Binnington will likely return to the crease for the Blues as they search for their fourth straight win on Friday night against the Seattle Kraken. The 30-year-old Binnington has played exceptionally lately, allowing three or fewer goals in six of his last eight games (5-2-1), posting a stellar .928 SV%. That said, the Blues are +150 road underdogs against the Kraken, who were defeated 2-1 by the Blues in mid-October.
Talbot will likely start his second straight game after serving as the backup in the previous three. Talbot has failed to win a game since December, losing nine straight (0-6-3), posting an ugly .887 SV%. The Kings' only two wins in the last month have been with David Rittich between the pipes. As such, Talbot and the Kings are +123 road underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche squad riding a two-game winning streak.
After receiving the night off on Thursday, Skinner will return to the crease on Saturday as the Oilers attempt to extend their franchise-best winning streak to 16 games. The entire Oilers' team has been firing on all cylinders, but Skinner has been their backbone, allowing two or fewer goals in 10 straight, posting a sensational .953 SV%. The Oilers last played the Nashville Predators on November 4th, a 5-2 loss with Jack Campbell between the pipes.
Bonino will report to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL after clearing waivers on Friday. The 35-year-old Bonino was averaging 12:15 time-on-ice this season and had been held off the scoresheet in 14 straight games.
Girgensons exited Wednesday's 5-3 victory against the Los Angeles Kings in the first period with an upper-body injury after playing only 1:01 time-on-ice. The 30-year-old Girgensons has four points (4G / 0A) in 31 games. The Sabres next game is on Saturday against the San Jose Sharks but he is considered day-to-day for the time being.
Tolvanen is battling an undisclosed ailment and his status is up in the air ahead of Friday's matchup against the St. Louis Blues. After scoring seven points (2G / 5A) during a five-game point streak, Tolvanen has been held to only one point (1G / 0A) in his last five games.
After being a full participant at practice since Tuesday, Beniers will return from a five-game absence on Friday against the St. Louis Blues. Before his injury, Beniers had been held to one point (1G / 0A) in his last seven games.
Perry hasn't played a game since his contract was terminated by the Chicago Blackhawks in late November. Before having his contract terminated, Perry was amid a somewhat resurgent start to the season, scoring nine points (4G / 5A) in 16 games. It is unlikely that Perry will continue his 0.56 point-per-game pace with the Oilers, as he is expected to skate on the third line with Dylan Holloway and Ryan McLeod.
Schwartz has played eight straight games, recording five points (2G / 3A), after returning from a 16-game absence due to a lower-body injury. He has been playing on a line with Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand and will be a game-time decision ahead of Friday's game.
With consecutive wins under his belt, Samsonov will start for the third straight game on Saturday. Samsonov has been tremendous in his last two outings, saving 48 of 49 shots (.979 SV%), including a heroic 32-save shutout against the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday. Samsonov's current streak marks the first time he has had consecutive wins since mid-November.
Cousins was the recipient of a controversial hit from Arizona's Jason Zucker, which led to a three-game suspension. The 30-year-old scrappy centre has struggled to produce offensively in 2023-24 with only two goals, three assists, 20 PIMs, 63 SOG and a -10 plus/minus in 37 games. With Cousins cleared from concussion protocol after missing 10 games, his return to the lineup is now just a matter of conditioning.
Vilardi has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury but could return to the lineup on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old Vilardi has three goals and has fired 15 shots on goal in his last five games.
Morrissey exited the Jets' last games with only 7:17 time-on-ice after blocking a shot but appears to be on the mend for a quick recovery after participating at practice on Friday. If Morrissey is unable to play on Saturday, the Jets' next game is not for another nine days. Neal Pionk replaced Morrissey on the top powerplay unit after Morrissey left the game.
Jarnkrok was not able to finish practice on Friday, leaving early with an apparent hand injury. The 32-year-old Jarnkrok has played all 46 games for the Maple Leafs this season, scoring 19 points (10G / 9A) while averaging 15:18 time-on-ice. The Maple Leafs next game is on Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets.
McMann has been dealing with a nagging injury and will be out of the lineup for at least a week after being placed on injured reserve. The 27-year-old McMann has three points (1G / 2A) in his last seven games while averaging less than 10 minutes per night. He is being assessed and should have a more concrete timeline in the upcoming days.
Lockwood has finished serving his three-game suspension for goaltender interference but will remain out of the lineup as he is in concussion protocol. Through 23 games this season, Lockwood has one point (0G / 1A), 42 hits, and 14 penalty minutes while averaging 8:22 time-on-ice.
Tippett has become one of the main offensive cogs in Philadelphia and has been rewarded with an eight-year, $49.6 million contract extension. The 24-year-old broke out last season with 49 points (27G / 22A) in 77 games and, despite currently being on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, is producing at a higher pace this season with 30 points (18G / 12A) in 46 games. This season, Tippett has established himself as a skilled power-forward, evident by his 168 shots on goals and 68 hits.
Malinski has played in eight straight games and has scored four points (1G / 3A) in his last four, but will be a healthy scratch on Friday to allow Jack Johnson to draw back into the lineup. Malinski has been effective in limited time this season, scoring 10 points (3G / 7A) in 22 games while averaging only 14:19 time-on-ice.
Sam Malinski will be a healthy scratch on Friday, allowing Johson to draw back into the lineup after a one-game absence due to a lower-body injury. Johnson has been held without a point in eight straight games and will likely play on the third defensive pair with Bowen Byram.
