Johnson had appeared in 14 straight games for the Sabres before being a healthy scratch on Wednesday. Johnson has been quietly productive from the blueline lately, tallying five assists in his last 12 games.
Ehlers recorded an assist on Tuesday but has been limited to only three points (0G / 3A) in his last 10 games. The Danish forward has become a fixture on the second line with Sean Monahan and Cole Perfetti.
Pickard has continued to be serviceable despite the Oilers' recent struggles and will return to the crease on Friday night. After their franchise-best 16-game winning streak ended earlier this month, the Oilers have showcased a pedestrian 4-3-1 in their last eight, allowing three or more goals in each contest. That said, Pickard is riding a six-game winning streak, allowing three or fewer goals in each while boasting a respectable .916 SV%. The Oilers enter action as -177 home favourites against the Minnesota Wild.
Hellebuyck had the night off in Winnipeg's 6-3 win over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday but will return to the crease on Friday in a favourable matchup against the low-scoring Chicago Blackhawks (2.09 GF / GP). Hellebuyck allowed five goals on 33 shots (.848 SV%) in his last contest but was playing excellent hockey leading up to that, saving 87 of 90 shots (.967 SV%) during a three-game winning streak. The Jets enter action on Friday as sizeable -275 road favourites.
Mrazek had the night off in Chicago's 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday but will return to the crease on Friday night. The Czech netminder had a rough time in his last outing, allowing five goals on 41 shots (.878 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Blackhawks enter action as +237 home underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets club that is 4-5-1 in their last 10.
Johnson is battling an illness and will not play in Friday's contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The veteran defender has three points (3G / 0A), 84 hits, and 65 blocks in 48 games this season.
Fasching has been out of the lineup since before the All-Star break and has been reassigned to Bridgeport (AHL) for conditioning. The depth right-winger has struggled offensively with the Islanders this season, with three goals, eight points, 30 SOG and a -8 plus/minus in 35 games played.
Bolduc has not played since January 27th and has been reassigned to Bridgeport (AHL) for conditioning. Bolduc has one goal and two assists in 33 games this season.
Texier recorded two points (0G / 2A) on Wednesday, snapping a six-game pointless skid but will be a game-time decision on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres. Texier has most recently been playing on the fourth line with Sean Kuraly and Mathieu Oliver.
Tarasov will start for the second straight game after an impressive outing in his last contest. On Wednesday, Tarasov exited the game briefly at the end of the second period but returned in the third en route to saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a 7-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks. The Blue Jackets enter Friday's matchup against the Buffalo Sabres as +136 home underdogs.
Johnson is battling an illness and his status is up in the air ahead of Friday's contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The veteran defender has three points (3G / 0A), 84 hits, and 65 blocks in 48 games this season.
Luukkonen will likely return to the crease for the fourth straight game on Friday evening. The 24-year-old Finnish netminder has been outstanding lately, allowing more than three goals only once in his last 15 outings (9-6-0), boasting a terrific .933 SV% and three shutouts. The Sabres are -147 road favourites heading into Friday's tilt against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Mrazek had the night off in Chicago's 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday but will likely return to the crease on Friday night. The Czech netminder had a rough time in his last outing, allowing five goals on 41 shots (.878 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Blackhawks enter action as +237 home underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets club that is 4-5-1 in their last 10.
Othmann was the 16th overall pick of the Rangers in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Despite being limited to only three games with the Rangers, he has excelled in his first professional season, scoring 36 points (14G / 22A) in 44 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL.
Lycksell was limited to only 4:36 time-on-ice in his last outing on February 12th, his only action in the last seven games, and has been loaned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL. The 24-year-old Lycksell has played five games for the Flyers this season, tallying one assist and nine shots on goal.
Oshie had to be helped off the ice after suffering a non-contact lower-body injury. Head coach Spencer Carbery said that his level of concern for Oshie's injury was "fairly high" and added that he'll be evaluated on Friday. Expect the Capitals to release a detailed timeline in the coming days, but it looks like Oshie is going to be out long-term.
The Kings will turn back to Rittich after Cam Talbot got the nod in each of the team's last two games. Rittich secured a victory his last time out, allowing four goals on 32 shots as Los Angeles held on to defeat the Bruins by a score of 5-4. Rittich owns an impressive .919 SV% and 2.25 GAA on the season to go along with his 8-2-3 record. He draws a solid matchup on Thursday, with the Kings being -160 favourites to pick up the win over the visiting Predators.
Saros will return to the Predators' crease after a rare backing up of Kevin Lankinen in Nashville's last game after he was the first goalie off the ice at an optional skate on Thursday. The 28-year-old has recently become the talk of trade speculation even though he is having one of the worst seasons of his nine-year career, with his 21-21-2 record, 3.02 GAA and .902 SV%. He will head to Los Angeles to take on the Kings on Thursday, who have won four straight and are third in the NHL in shots per game (33.5).
The Golden Knights are already without Mark Stone (upper body) but fortunately will have Marchessault in the lineup on Thursday night. Despite being held without a point in two straight, Marchessault has been extremely productive lately with 15 points (11G / 4A) in his last 13 games.
Grubauer will start for only the second time since returning from an injury that kept him out for several months. The German netminder saved 26 of 27 shots (.963 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the New York Islanders on February 13th, the only contest this season that he has allowed fewer than two goals (6-9-1). Seattle enters action as a +114 home underdog against the Vancouver Canucks.
