Lankinen has not played since January 22nd due to a hand injury but will be available for one of the Blackhawks' games this weekend. Originally, the Blackhawks said that he would start Sunday but have back-tracked and haven't decided who will start Friday and who will start Sunday.
Lankinen will be out until after the All-Star break, so Arvid Soderblom will serve as the No.2 goalie behind Marc-Andre Fleury.
With Marc-Andre Fleury already on the COVID-19 protocol list, Lankinen was scheduled to start Saturday but that likely won't happen now. Collin Delia figures to get the nod if both Fleury and Lankinen remain in protocol.
Lankinen emerged as the Blackhawks No.1 last year, going 17-14-5 with a 3.01 GAA and .909 SV% in 37 starts. With Marc-Andre Fleury now in town, he'll take a back seat for most of the season but will start the front-end of their back-to-back on Friday. Lankinen will see a New Jersey team that will be without Ty Smith, Damon Severson, Miles Wood and Mackenzie Blackwood.
