On the tail end of a back-to-back, Minnesota will turn to Gustavsson between the pipes in a favorable matchup against the Anaheim Ducks and their league-worst offense, averaging only 2.1 goals per game. Gustavsson has faced some adversity lately, allowing three or more goals in three of his last four games (2-2-0), but has a solid 2.33 GAA and .917 SV% in nine games this season (6-2-1).
Sprong heads back to Seattle where he spent parts of 2021-22 season and the entire 2022-23 season. He played just nine games with the Canucks after signing a one-year deal with them in the off-season, scoring one goal and adding two assists. Sprong enjoyed the most productive season of his career with the Kraken, tallying 21 goals and 25 assists in 66 games in 2022-23.
Jeannot struck Boeser with an illegal hit to the head during Thursday's game against the Canucks and Boeser was unable to return. It is the first suspension of Jeannot's career. The three game suspension means Jeannot will be eligible to return to the lineup for November 16th's game against the Red Wings.
The Maple Leafs, fresh off a 4-0 win over the Boston Bruins, will roll with Stolarz between the pipes on Friday night against the Detroit Red Wings. Stolarz saved all 29 shots he faced for his first shutout of the season on Tuesday, improving his stats to a 2.12 GAA and .928 SV% in nine games (5-2-1). The Maple Leafs, still without Auston Matthews (upper-body), enter the action on Friday as -191 home favorites against a Red Wings club that, albeit riding a two-game winning streak, has only scored 33 goals this season, the fewest in the NHL.
Hayes is battling an upper-body injury and will not play on Friday against the Washington Capitals, missing a second consecutive game. The 32-year-old Hayes has four points (3G / 1A) in 14 games and has been held off the scoresheet in six straight.
After Alex Nedeljkovic was peppered for five goals on 18 shots (.722 SV%) in Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Penguins will switch to Blomqvist between the pipes. The 22-year-old Blomqvist has not played since October 29th but has been serviceable when called upon, posting a 3.46 GAA and .909 SV% in six outings (2-4-0). The Penguins, welcoming Bryan Rust (lower body) back into the lineup, enter the action on Friday as +167 road underdogs against the Washington Capitals.
Rust has not played since October 26th, missing the last five games, but will return to the lineup on Friday night against the Washington Capitals. Rust has four points (3G / 1A) and a -7 plus/minus in eight games. Before his injury, Rust was playing alongside Sidney Crosby, a spot where Rickard Rakell thrived during Rust's absence, which could pose an obstacle for Rust returning to that top-line deployment.
DeSimone played 11 games with the Devils last season, scoring two points (1G / 1A), but has primarily been an AHL players, playing only 38 career NHL games since his professional debut in the 2016-17 season. In nine games with the Utica Comets (AHL) this season, the 29-year-old DeSimone has two points (0G / 2A) and a -10 plus/minus.
Glass exited Thursday's 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes after playing only 4:47 time-on-ice due to a concussion. The 25-year-old Glass has four points (0G / 4A) in 14 games this season. In a corresponding move, Bryan Rust (lower body) was activated from Injured Reserve.
Rust has not played since October 26th, missing the last five games, but could return to the lineup on Friday night against the Washington Capitals. Rust has four points (3G / 1A) and a -7 plus/minus in eight games. Before his injury, Rust was playing alongside Sidney Crosby, a spot where Rickard Rakell has thrived during Rust's absence.
Bjorkstrand was a healthy scratch in the Seattle's previous game, replaced by John Hayden, but will re-enter the lineup on Friday night against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 29-year-old Bjorkstrand was a Western Conference All-Star last season, scoring 59 points (20G / 39A) in 82 games. This season, Bjorkstrand has only five points (3G / 2A) in 13 games and has been held off the scoresheet in seven of the last eight.
Anderson-Dolan has not played yet this season, recovering from an undisclosed injury, and will begin the 2024-25 campaign with the Manitoba Moose (AHL). The 25-year-old Dolan had four points (1G / 3A) in 31 games last season, split between the Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators.
Hague has only played one of the previous five games and has been placed on Injured Reserve, eligible to return to the lineup, at the earliest, on November 11th against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 25-year-old Hague has one point (1G / 0A) and averages 16:08 time-on-ice through nine games this season.
Dewar has not played for the Maple Leafs yet this season but had two points (1G / 1A) in a one-game conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies (AHL). With Auston Matthews (undisclosed) being placed on IR, the Maple Leafs have been able to activate and recall Dewar.
Matthews has missed one game and will miss at least two more after being placed on Injured Reserve with an undisclosed injury. He will be first eligible to return to the lineup on November 12th against the Ottawa Senators. The 27-year-old Matthews was off to a slower-than-usual start to the 2024-25 campaign but had six points (2G / 4A) in his last five games. In a corresponding move, Connor Dewar (shoulder) has been activated from LTIR.
Fowler played a season-low 17:11 time-on-ice in the Ducks previous game and is battling an upper-body injury. The 32-year-old Fowler is leading all Ducks, averaging 21:17 time-on-ice this season and has two points (0G / 2A) in 12 games this season.
For the fifth straight game, despite a three-game losing skid, the Ducks will turn to Dostal between the pipes. The 24-year-old Dostal has allowed nine combined goals in his last two outings (0-2-0), but has been tremendous for most of the season, boasting an impressive 2.50 GAA and .930 SV% in 10 games (4-4-2), stats that are even more impressive considering the Ducks are averaging only 2.1 goals per game, fewest in the NHL. The Ducks enter action on Friday as +174 home underdogs against the Minnesota Wild.
After participating in two games in Finland as part of the NHL Global Series, Marchment returned home with an undisclosed injury and did not play on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 29-year-old Marchment has had a strong start to the 2024-25 season, playing predominantly alongside Matt Duchene and Tyler Seguin, scoring eight points (2G / 6A) in 11 games.
With Philipp Grubauer (undisclosed) sidelined, Seattle recalled Stezka from Coachella Valley (AHL) to serve as the backup to Joey Daccord on Friday night. The 27-year-old Stezka has a 3.61 GAA and .881 SV% in six games with Coachella Valley this season.
Despite nearly splitting starts in the early season, Daccord has been far superior to Philipp Grubauer between the pipes. Now, with Grubauer (undisclosed) sidelined, the Seattle crease belongs exclusively to Daccord until he returns. The 28-year-old Daccord has a solid 2.76 GAA and .915 SV% in eight games (4-3-1). Seattle enters Friday's contest as +123 home underdogs against a Vegas Golden Knights club averaging 4.5 goals per game, top five in the NHL.
