Barzal is likely battling a nagging injury, as he was a game-time decision earlier this week as well, despite still drawing into the lineup. The 28-year-old Barzal is riding a five-game point streak, scoring five points (1G / 4A).
If not for an injury to Pyotr Kochetkov to start the 2025-26 season, Bussi would likely not be in the mix for the Hurricanes, but excellent play has earned him his fourth start in the last six games. The 27-year-old Bussi, a first-year NHLer, has a solid 2.05 GAA and .911 SV% in 12 games this season (11-1-0). Even better, he boasts a 1.55 GAA and .929 SV% in his last six games (6-0-0). The Hurricanes enter the action on Friday as -131 road favorites against a Panthers team that has won six of its last seven games (6-1-0).
Zamula was waived by Philadelphia on Thursday and went unclaimed on Friday leading to his inevitable demotion to Lehigh Valley (AHL). The 25-year-old had only appeared in one game since December 3rd after appearing in an average of 65 games over the last two seasons and had one assist in 13 games played this season. He will now provide Philadelphia with defensive depth from the minors as he works to make his way back up to the big club.
After 16 points in 26 games with Lehigh Valley (AHL), Denver Barkey has earned his first call up to Philadelphia and has been added to their active roster. The 20-year-old forward was Phildaelphia's 2023 3rd round pick (95th overall) and will make his NHL debut if he finds his way into the Flyers lineup.
Trineyev recently made his NHL debut, going without a point in two games with the Capitals. He returned to the AHL, where he has 12 points (6G / 6A) in 16 games with Hershey (AHL). Ivan Miroshnichenko has been recalled from Hershey in a corresponding move.
Miroshnichenko was drafted 20th overall by the Capitals in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He has spent the entire 2025-26 season in the AHL so far, scoring nine points (4G/5A) in 12 games. Bogdan Trineyev has been loaned to Hershey in a corresponding move.
Erne has been sidelined for nearly six weeks, recovering from a lower-body injury, but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 30-year-old Erne has three points (2G / 1A) in 14 games this season. Colin Blackwell will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Erne's return.
Blackwell has played all but one game this season, but will be a healthy scratch on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 32-year-old forward has seven points (2G / 5A) in 34 games this season. Adam Erne will return from a lower-body injury and draw into the lineup as Blackwell's replacement.
The Stars are coming off a 5-3 win over the San Jose Sharks last night and will turn to DeSmith to tend the twine on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 34-year-old DeSmith has been outstanding in a supporting role for the Stars this season, posting a 2.13 GAA and .923 SV% in 12 games (8-1-3). He has an elite 1.65 GAA and .944 SV% in his last eight games (6-0-2). The Stars enter Friday's contest as slight -110 road favourites against a Ducks team that is 5-4-1 in their last 10.
Dickinson has not played the previous two games for San Jose, but will return to the lineup on Saturday against the Seattle Kraken. The 19-year-old rookie defendseman has three points (1G / 2A) in 26 games this season.
Lambos was drafted 26th overall by the Minnesota Wild and played his first NHL game in Minnesota's most recent outing. The 22-year-old defenseman has five points (2G / 3A) in 26 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL) this season.
Jones has been a regular in Minnesota's lineup the past month, but has become the odd man out of the lineup with several regulars set to return from injuries. The 26-year-old Jones played 20 games with Minnesota and scored zero points.
Olen Zellweger will be a healthy scratch on Friday against the Dallas Stars, allowing Helleson to re-enter the lineup. The 24-year-old Helleson returns from a two-game absence. He has nine points (2G / 7A) in 32 games this season.
Drew Helleson will draw back into Anaheim's lineup on Friday against the Dallas Stars, resulting in Zellweger being a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Zellweger will sit for the first time this season. He has 14 points (5G / 9A) in 34 games this season.
Hunt played two games with the Flames this season, but, after clearing waivers, will return to a familiar place in the AHL. The 30-year-old Hunt has 18 points (5G / 13A) in 16 games with the Wranglers (AHL) this season.
Carter Hart has seen most of the action between the pipes lately, but Schmid will return to the crease for the Golden Knights in the front end of a back-to-back on Saturday. The 25-year-old Schmid has been solid when called upon this season, posting a 2.33 GAA and .903 SV% in 17 games (11-2-4). He saved 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%) in his most recent game, a 3-2 overtime win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Eichel did not play in the Golden Knights' most recent game due to an illness and will remain out of the lineup, also dealing with a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old Eichel has been excellent this season and is pacing for career-best offensive totals, with 41 points (12G / 29A) in 31 games. He has nine points (1G / 8A) during a five-game point streak.
Marchessault exited Nashville's most recent game after only 5:27 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. He was absent from practice on Friday and he is day-to-day, likely ruled out of Nashville's upcoming game on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 34-year-old Marchessault has 10 points (7G / 3A) in 28 games this season.
Fleury will make his return from a one month absence, returning from a concussion, resulting in Schenn heading to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 36-year-old Schenn has four assists and 61 hits in 24 games this season.
