Couture may be shut down for the final few games of the season due to a lower-body injury. With Couture out on Friday, Alexander True will draw back into the lineup and Patrick Marleau will move into the top-6.
Sprong was a surprise scratch on Wednesday but will play tonight vs. the Flyers. Sprong has been outstanding in Alex Ovechkin's absence, scoring five goals in his last five games.
Wilson suffered an upper-body injury in Wednesday's game in New York and did not return. He was on the ice for Friday's morning skate and will play tonight vs. Philadelphia. Wilson, who has two goals and three assists in his last six games, will skate on the third line with Michael Raffl and Daniel Carr.
Fiala was a surprise scratch from Wednesday's lineup due to a lower-body injury but he was on the ice for the morning skate and will be a game-time decision on Friday. Fiala has been red-hot since late March, scoring 11 goals with 14 assists (25 points) in his last 19 games.
Rutta has been sidelined by a lower-body injury since March 30th but is set to play Friday vs. the Stars. Rutta, who has eight assists and a plus-13 rating in 33 games this season, will skate on the third pairing with Mikhail Sergachev in his return to the lineup.
Texier was scratched from the lineup on Wednesday and is not expected to play Friday either. With Texier out, Kevin Stenlund is expected to remain as the third line centre.
Harrington has spent most of 2021 on the Blue Jackets' taxi squad and Friday will be his first game since April 17th. Harrington has scored one goal with two assists (three points) in 10 games this year.
This will be Peeke's first NHL game since April 19th. Peeke has four assists in seven AHL games and three assists in nine NHL games in 2021. Overall, he has one goal and five assists in 31 career NHL games.
Kukan has been in the lineup for seven straight games but will sit Friday vs. the Red Wings. Scott Harrington will replace Kukan.
Coming off of a two-assist performance on Wednesday, Lehtonen will sit for the first time in nine games. Andrew Peeke will draw into the lineup to replace Lehtonen.
