Athanasiou has not played since mid-November but is nearing an imminent return to the lineup. The 29-year-old center has struggled through injuries this season with four assists, 20 SOG, and a -5 plus/minus through 11 games.
The Blackhawks have won two of their last three outings, but Mrazek has not been in between the pipes for either. The Czech netminder has allowed four or more goals in three straight (0-3-0) and is riding a six-game losing skid (0-5-1). That said, Mrazek and the Blackhawks are slight -107 home favourites against an Anaheim Ducks club that has scored only six goals in their last four games (1-3-0).
Smith will be the odd-man out on Friday as the Stars are opting to dress seven defensemen. Nils Lundkvist will draw into the lineup in Smith's place.
On the front of a back-to-back, the Jets will turn to Brossoit between the pipes on Friday night. Brossoit has been tremendous when called upon, winning three straight, including a 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on March 3rd when he saved 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%). The Jets enter action as -127 road favourites against a Kraken club that defeated them 4-3 in their last outing.
Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon added Martinez will be out of the lineup short-term, without giving a definitive timeline for his return. The 36-year-old Martinez was enjoying a productive season by his standards, registering 16 points (4G / 12A) and 152 blocks in 45 games.
On the front of a back-to-back, the Jets will likely turn to Brossoit between the pipes on Friday night. Brossoit has been tremendous when called upon, winning three straight, including a 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on March 3rd when he saved 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%). The Jets enter action as -127 road favourites against a Kraken club that defeated them 4-3 in their last outing.
Maroon has not played since January 27th after undergoing back surgery but should return to action in two to three weeks. The 35-year-old Maroon has 12 points (4G / 12A), 54 shots, 71 hits, and 60 penalty minutes in 49 games this season.
Martinez played 17:22 time-on-ice in the Golden Knights' last contest, a 6-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, but suffered an lower-body injury at some point and will be out of the lineup for at least one week. The 36-year-old Martinez was enjoying a productive season by his standards, registering 16 points (4G / 12A) and 152 blocks in 45 games.
Crevier will be the odd-man out on Tuesday as Chicago opts to get some fresh legs into their lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Isaak Phillips will draw into the lineup in Crevier's place.
Sanford will for in for Boris Katchouk as Chicago looks to get some fresh legs into their lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Phillips has no goals and five assists in 26 games this season.
The Blackhawks will turn to Soderblom on Tuesday after Petr Mrazek got the nod for Monday's game in Colorado. Soderblom was saddled with yet another loss his last time out, surrendering four goals on 30 shots enroute to a 5-2 defeat at the hands of the Blue Jackets. Soderblom has not won since November 24th, and owns a comically poor 2-18-1 record on the season. He finds himself in familiar territory on Tuesday as the Blackhawks are +225 underdogs in Arizona.
Mrazek will return to the crease for the Blackhawks on Monday in a rematch against the Colorado Avalanche. Last week, Mrazek allowed five goals on 33 shots (.848 SV%) in a 5-0 loss to Colorado. Mrazek has allowed three or more goals in four straight (0-3-1), with the Blackhawks being outscored 17-7. Chicago enters action as a significant +338 road underdog.
Mrazek will return to the crease for the Blackhawks on Monday in a rematch against the Colorado Avalanche. Last week, Mrazek allowed five goals on 33 shots (.848 SV%) in a 5-0 loss to Colorado. Mrazek has allowed three or more goals in four straight (0-3-1), with the Blackhawks being outscored 17-7. Chicago enters action as a significant +338 road underdog.
Mrazek will start for the third straight game for the Blackhawks on Thursday night. Despite only recording one win in his last 10 outings (1-6-3), Mrazek has played very well, recording a respectable .917 SV%. That said, the Blackhawks are poised for another loss as they enter Thursday's game as +255 home underdogs against a high-scoring Colorado Avalanche club that defeated the Dallas Stars 5-1 on Tuesday.
