Boqvist is expected to draw into the Bruins lineup for the first time since October 26th as Matthew Poitras (load management) will not play on Friday. In 24 games with the Providence Bruins of the AHL, Boqvist has 14 points (5G / 9A) this season.
Ullmark will start for the third time in the last four games for the Bruins when they face off against the New York Islanders on Friday. Ullmark has played well despite allowing three goals in each of his last three contests (2-1-0), boasting a .917 SV%. Ullmark has a career 2.51 GAA and has fared favourably against the Islanders in his career, including a 5-2 victory on November 9th when he saved 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%).
Lyon will start on Saturday against the team he made his NHL debut with, the Philadelphia Flyers, whom he played sparingly with between the 2017-18 and 2020-21 seasons. Lyon has undoubtedly been the Red Wings' best goaltender since making his debut with the team approximately one month ago but has not played the last three games. He is coming off his worst performance of the season, allowing four goals on 25 shots (.840 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators on December 9th, but still has an impressive 2.13 GAA and .931 SV% in six games this season (4-2-0).
Kostin was expected to re-enter the Red Wings lineup after Dylan Larkin was injured on Saturday but instead instead joined Larkin on the injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. After missing four straight games, Kostin will likely return to the lineup on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. He scored in his last game but has only one point (1G / 0A) in his last nine contests.
Earlier this week, Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde stated that Compher could be available to return on Thursday, but after not playing on Thursday, he appears ready to return on Saturday. He has been a full participant at the last few practices for the Red Wings, centring a line with Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane. The 28-year-old Compher is pacing for the best season of his career with 19 points (6G / 13A) in 24 games.
Ersson will start the third consecutive game on Saturday as Carter Hart remains out of the lineup due to an illness. Ersson has played well lately, winning five of his last six games (5-0-1) and sporting an impressive .917 SV%. Ersson and the Flyers will match up against the struggling Detroit Red Wings, who have battled a myriad of injuries lately and have lost four of their last five outings (1-3-1).
Foligno exited Thursday's matchup against the Calgary Flames with an undisclosed injury after playing only 10:20 time-on-ice but appears to be no worse for wear as he is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday. Foligno has been held off the scoresheet in four straight games, recording only two shots and nine hits.
Gustavsson will start for the third straight game on Saturday and look for his third consecutive victory in the process. The Swedish netminder has been outstanding lately, allowing two or fewer goals in each of his last six appearances (5-1-0), posting a phenomenal .950 SV%. Gustavsson and the Wild will face off against the Vancouver Canucks, who they played less than two weeks ago in a 3-0 loss when Gustavsson allowed two goals on 17 shots (.882 SV%).
Hart is battling an illness that kept him from dressing on Thursday and will subsequently not play on Saturday as well. Felix Sandstrom was recalled on an emergency basis Thursday to serve as the backup for Samuel Ersson, which will likely be the case again on Saturday.
Rakell has not played since November 19th due to an upper-body injury but was a full participant at practice on Friday, indicating his return to action is imminent. Before his injury, Rakell was pacing for the worst season of his career, with only four points (0G / 4A) in 17 games. His zero goals on 44 shots rank worst among all forwards with over 30 shots this season.
Spurgeon was not able to play on Thursday due to a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision on Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks. Minnesota turned to Brock Faber in Spurgeon's absence, playing a season-high 30:08 and seeing increased exposure in all on-ice situations.
Gudbranson was suspended one game for being the aggressor in his altercation with Nick Cousins of the Florida Panthers. Gudbranson did not play on Thursday but will return to the Blue Jackets lineup on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. Gudbranson has 10 points (2G / 8A), 23 hits, and 66 blocks while averaging 19:34 time-on-ice through 27 games this season.
Mayfield has four assists, 17 PIMs, 19 SOG, and a -1 plus/minus in 20 games played this season but has been placed on the injured reserve and will not be available to return until December 19th against the Edmonton Oilers at the earliest. The 31-year-old bruising defenseman was replaced by Sebastian Aho (upper body) on Wednesday, who returned after an eight-game absence.
MacEwen will play for the first time since December 7th as he will draw into the Senators' lineup as a fresh body on the back end of a back-to-back, replacing Rourke Chartier. The 27-year-old MacEwen has played 10 games this season, recording one point (0G / 1A), 25 penalty minutes, and 15 hits.
Smith has not played the last two games but will be allowed to return to the lineup on Friday as Nico Sturm is battling a mid-body injury. Smith has been held off the scoresheet in nine straight games while averaging 6:39 time-on-ice.
Sturm suffered a mid-body injury on Tuesday that limited him to only 8:44 time-on-ice. The 28-year-old German has only registered on the score sheet once in the last nine games, a two-goal performance on December 7th against the Detroit Red Wings.
Kahkonen has seen a steady dose of action lately and will start for the fourth time in the last eight games for the Sharks. The Sharks have points in four straight games (3-0-1), and Kahkonen has won four of his last five games (4-0-1), highlighted by a .904 SV%. The Sharks remain the league-worst in terms of shot suppression (36.7 SA / GP) but are still +171 road underdogs against the Arizona Coyotes, who have lost four straight (0-4-0).
Laine was seemingly turning the corner on what had already been a disappointing season, scoring five points (3G / 2A) in his last six games, but will instead be sidelined for the next six weeks with a clavicle fracture. Laine had already missed 12 games this season due to injuries, which is becoming a regularity for the Finnish forward. He has only played more than 60 games in a season once since the 2019-20 season.
McTavish has missed the last five games for the Ducks but appears to be nearing a return, but it will not be Friday after he was seen skating earlier in the day. Before his injury, McTavish was held without a point in four straight games, recording a -7 plus/minus and six shots on goal.
Montembeault played well in his last game, saving 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%), but ultimately came up short in a 4-3, 12-round shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. Montembeault will return to the crease on Saturday against the New York Islanders for his second consecutive start, the second time he has started consecutive games in December, as the Canadiens appear to be favouring the 27-year-old netminder.
