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.
Wotherspoon has been recalled from the Providence Bruins of the AHL as Charlie McAvoy has been placed on the injured reserve. Wotherspoon played three games for the Bruins earlier this season, recording one point (0G / 1A) while averaging 13:51 time-on-ice.
Aho has missed the Islanders' previous eight games due to an upper-body injury but was a full participant in line rushes Wednesday and is expected to return vs. Ahaheim. The 27-year-old stay-at-home defensemen has yet to score in 19 games played this year but has four assists, 18 SOG, six PIMs and a -3 plus/minus.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph will re-enter the lineup after a brief conditioning stint with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL), as Shea will watch the game from the press box as a healthy scratch. Shea has zero points in 22 games this season, averaging 12:28 time-on-ice.
Despite a losing 8-10-2 record, Jarry is arguably stringing together the best season of his career, showcasing a 2.48 GAA and .918 SV%, along with leading the league with three shutouts. The Penguins have hovered around .500 all season (11-12-3), partly due to their inability to provide Jarry with ample goal support, highlighted by their 30th-ranked powerplay (9.5%). That said, Jarry and the low-scoring Penguins are still -192 home favourites against an Arizona Coyotes team that played last night and is amid a three-game losing streak (0-3-0).
Despite a losing 8-10-2 record, Jarry is arguably stringing together the best season of his career, showcasing a 2.48 GAA and .918 SV%, along with leading the league with three shutouts. The Penguins have hovered around .500 all season (11-12-3), partly due to their inability to provide Jarry with ample goal support, highlighted by their 30th-ranked powerplay (9.5%). That said, Jarry and the low-scoring Penguins are still -192 home favourites against an Arizona Coyotes team that played last night and is amid a three-game losing streak (0-3-0).
Rust missed three games late last month and will once again be sidelined on a week-to-week basis with an upper-body injury. This is a devasting blow for a Penguins team that has struggled offensively lately, scoring only three total goals in their last three games (0-2-1). Before his injury, Rust was having a terrific season, scoring 20 points (10G / 10A) in 22 games.
Jarry will man the Penguins' crease for the sixth time in seven games Friday after dropping his previous game after allowing three goals on 27 shots (.889 SV%). The 28-year-old leads the NHL in shutouts (3) and has had a strong start to his season despite the play of those around him in Pittsburgh, with his 8-9-2 record, 2.50 GAA and .917 SV%. He will head to Florida to take on the Panthers Friday, who have won three of their last five games and are second in the NHL in shots per game (34.0).
Acciari has not played since November 30th and has been retroactively placed on the injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Acciari had three points (2G / 1A), 44 hits, and 28 blocks in 22 games this season, playing predominantly alongside Jeff Carter and Matt Nieto.
Koppanen has been reassigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins along with Alex Nylander as Pittsburgh has recalled Marc Johnstone, Jonathan Gruden, and Valtteri Puustinen. Koppanen played three games with Pittsburgh, firing two shots on goal, averaging 7:25 time-on-ice, and scoring zero points.
Puustinen was the seventh-round pick of the Penguins in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and has scored 111 points (49G / 62A) in 163 career games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL. His call-up coincides with Joona Koppanen and Alex Nylander being reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Rust left the Penguins' previous game vs. Tampa in the third period after just 12:03 TOI due to a lower-body injury and will miss Friday vs. Florida after not practicing Thursday. If he is forced to miss time it will be a massive loss for the Penguins as the 31-year-old is having the best statistical season of his 10 year career with 10 goals, 10 assists, 71 SOG, four PIMs and a +13 plus/minus in 22 games prior to this latest injury.
Rust left the Penguins' previous game vs. Tampa in the third period after just 12:03 TOI due to a lower-body injury and was not at practice Thursday. If he is forced to miss time it will be a massive loss for the Penguins as the 31-year-old is having the best statistical season of his 10 year career with 10 goals, 10 assists, 71 SOG, four PIMs and a +13 plus/minus in 22 games prior to this latest injury.
Jones will be a healthy scratch for the Avalanche as defensemen Bowen Byram and Cale Makar, both previously game-time decisions, will suit up for Thursday night's contest against the Winnipeg Jets. Jones has two points (0G / 2A), averaging 12:45 time-on-ice in 12 games with the Avalanche this season.
After a stint with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL), posting 14 points (10G / 4A) in eight games, Bemstrom will return to the Blue Jackets lineup for the first time since November 14th. Before his demotion to the AHL, Bemstrom had four points (3G / 1A) in 12 games with the Blue Jackets. He is expected to skate on the third line alongside Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson.
Novak has not played since November 11th, battling an upper-body injury, but is expected to make his return on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before his injury, Novak had 12 points (6G/ 6A), averaged 16:02 time-on-ice, and played predominantly on a line with Kiefer Sherwood and Luke Evangelista.
Amidst a flurry of roster moves Wednesday Emil Bemstrom was recalled from Cleveland (AHL) and is expected to appear in the Blue Jackets game Thursday. The 24-year-old returns to the Blue Jackets for a second time this season having picking up three goals, four points, four PIMs and a -7 plus/minus through 12 NHL games.
Jarry will return to the Penguins' crease on Wednesday after Alex Nedeljkovic got the nod in Monday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Flyers. Jarry is in the midst of another strong season for the Penguins, registering a .918 SV% and a 2.47 GAA, though a lack of steady goal support has limited him to an 8-8-2 record. He draws another tough matchup on Wednesday with the Penguins being slight underdogs (+105) in Tampa Bay.
