Felcman was a third-round pick of the Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft that has earned a three-year, entry-level contract. The 20-year-old Czech forward had 20 points (3G / 17A) this season in 52 games with the Langnau Tigers (Swiss-A).
Sorokin leads the NHL with seven shutouts this season and was minutes away from recording an eighth on Thursday, saving 26 of 27 shots (.963 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Dallas Stars. The 30-year-old Sorokin is likely a leading contender for the Vezina Trophy this season and has done everything in his power to keep the Islanders in contention for a playoff spot. In 10 games this month (5-5-0), Sorokin has a 2.55 GAA and .910 SV%.
Gostisbehere has battled a myriad of injuries this season, with his latest ailment keeping him out of the lineup for the past three weeks. The 32-year-old Gostisbehere ranks among the most productive defensemen this season when healthy, with 43 points (11G / 32A) in 45 games. He is scoring at a 0.96 point-per-game pace, a rate that is only being bettered by six other defenseman. Gostisbehere returned to practice on Friday and looks like he could be an option on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils.
Haight played the last two games for Minnesota in the last week, recording one assist, but exited the lineup to accommodate the return of Kirill Kaprizov (lower body). The 21-year-old Haight is averaging 9:59 time-on-ice and has on assist in seven games this season.
Fortescue was a third-round pick of the Rangers in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft that was recently rewarded with an entry-level contract after completing his collegiate hockey career. The 20-year-old defenseman scored 14 points (4G / 10A) in 35 games this season with Boston College.
Garand was excellent in his NHL debut last week, saving 35 of 37 shots (.946 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Winnipeg Jets, and will likely return to the crease on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 23-year-old Garand was a fourth-round pick of the New York Rangers in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, who has a 2.83 GAA and .896 SV% in 36 games (16-15-2) with Hartford (AHL) this season. The Rangers enter Friday's contest as -178 home favourites against a Blackhawks team that was defeated 5-1 last night by the Philadelphia Flyers.
Ostlund was absent from practice on Thursday and it is unclear what his status will be for Friday's game against the Detroit Red Wings. The 22-year-old Swedish forward is averaging 13:58 time-on-ice and has 27 points (11G / 16A) in 60 games this season.
Groulx was a second-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft that had five points (1G / 4A) in 65 career NHL games, all with the Ducks, before being called up by the Maple Leafs earlier this month. The 26-year-old forward was productive in a brief stint with the Maple Leafs, adding to his career totals with five points (3G / 2A) in nine games.
The Sabres have evenly alternated goalies since the Olympic break and will continue that trend on Friday in the front end of a back-to-back, turning to Lyon to tend the twine against the Detroit Red Wings. The 33-year-old Lyon has been excellent for the Sabres lately, but is coming off one of his worst performances, allowing six goals on 33 shots (.818 SV%) in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks. That said, he is still boasting an outstanding 2.34 GAA and .918 SV% in his last 20 games (17-2-1). The Sabres enter Friday's contest as -156 home favourites against a desperate Red Wings team that has lost five of their last seven (2-4-1) as they battle for a Wild Card spot.
Barron had to exit Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche due to concussion protocol, and his status is unclear ahead of Saturday's rematch in Colorado. The 27-year-old Barron is averaging 12:47 time-on-ice and has a career-high 23 points (11G / 12A) in 63 games this season.
Gudas exited Thursday's 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames in the second period due to a lower-body injury and did not return. The severity of his injury has not been disclosed, and it is unclear what his status is for Saturday's game against the Edmonton Oilers. The 35-year-old Czech defenseman has 13 points (2G / 11A) and 160 hits in 54 games this season.
Klingberg did not play in San Jose's previous game and continues to be evaluated. He is travelling with the team, and expected to practice on Saturday morning, but it is unclear if he will be able to suit up in the evening against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 33-year-old Swedish defenseman has 24 points (10G / 14A) in 54 games this season.
Askarov was excellent in his return from a multi-week absence due to a lower-body injury, but only lasted half the game before exiting with a new unrelated injury. The 23-year-old Askarov saved all 11 shots he faced before exiting the eventual 2-1 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. It's unclear how long Askarov will be sidelined, but expect the Sharks to continue rolling with Alex Nedeljkovic during his absence.
Kuemper will get the nod between the pipes for the 46th time this season when the Kings travel to Vancouver on Thursday. Kuemper was tagged with his league leading 13th overtime loss of the season in his last outing, when he allowed two goals on 23 shots in a 32 shootout loss in Calgary on Tuesday. The 35-year-old netminder carries a 17-13-13 record and an .897 SV% into Thursday night's contest, where the Kings enter action at -175 on the money line.
Zellweger will immediately re-enter the lineup after sitting out Tuesday's game in Vancouver. He'll fill the spot left by Troy Terry's undisclosed injury.
Terry was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with the Ducks not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Olen Zellweger will take his spot in the lineup as Ian Moore slides up to play forward.
