Vladar had a chance to return on Friday vs. Colorado but will instead push his expected return to Monday when Philadelphia takes on the Islanders. The 28-year-old has missed Philadelphia's last four games and will make a welcome return to their crease with his 16-7-4 record, 2.46 GAA and .905 SV%.
Nedeljkovic has been all the rage of the NHL after his fight on Monday vs. Sergei Bobrovsky made headlines and has earned himself another start on Friday vs. the Rangers. The 30-year-old has a decent 9-8-2 record despite his uglier .896 SV% and 2.96 GAA this season. He will host the struggling New York Rangers on Friday who have lost seven of their last eight games being outscored 42 to 24 during that span.
Joseph has missed St. Louis' previous seven games due to an elbow infection but has been activated off IR and will return to the Blues' lineup vs. Dallas on Friday. The 28-year-old has two goals, 10 points and 28 SOG in 35 GP this season.
Despite picking up 34 hits in his previous eight games played, Nathan Walker will be the odd man out of the lineup with Mathieu Joseph returning from an elbow injury on Friday. The 31-year-old will hope to return to the lineup soon as he continues to chase his career high in points from last season (16) with his 11 points in 32 games this year.
Holloway is considered day-to-day despite heading back to St. Louis to have an MRI on his high ankle sprain. It is an unfortunate injury for the 24-year-old who had just returned from a 15-game absence on Sunday before leaving with his injury. In 34 games played this season, Holloway has eight goals and 17 points while being a -13 plus/minus.
With Dan Vladar (lower-body) still injured for at least one more game, Samuel Ersson draws the tough task of taking on the Colorado Avalanche in Colorado on Friday. Ersson's nightmare season will hopefully take a break on Friday as he looks to post a save percentage above .900 for just the second time in his last 8 starts. His .858 SV% ranks among the lowest in the NHL through 21 appearances this season. He will take on the surprisingly cold Colorado Avalanche on Friday, who, despite having the NHL's best record, have lost three of their last four games.
Blackwood is coming off of just his second regulation loss of the season, a forgetful night for the typically reliable goaltender, allowing five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) in a 7-3 loss to the Nashville Predators one week ago. The 29-year-old Blackwood will look to return to the form he was in before the loss, when he was riding a seven-game winning streak while posting a superb 1.64 GAA and .929 SV%. The Avalanche enter Friday's contest as sizable -293 home favorites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that has lost seven of their last eight games (1-5-2).
