With Evander Kane set to return to the lineup but the Oilers sticking with 11 forwards and seven defensemen, Puljujarvi is expected to sit as a healthy scratch. Since the start of December, Puljujarvi has just four points (3G / 1A) in 22 games.

Vanecek stopped 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%) for his fifth straight victory as he beat the Anaheim Ducks in his last start. It has been an incredibly successful first campaign in New Jersey for Vanecek, with his 17-5-2 record, 2.35 GAA and .914 SV%. He takes on the San Jose Sharks who have lost four of their last five games after a 7-1 loss vs. Edmonton last game.

Bobrovsky stopped 35 of 38 shots (.921 SV%) for his third win in four games as he beat Vancouver in his previous start. Bobrovsky has been better as of late, which has helped improve on a horrific season start, amounting to an 11-13-1 record, 3.27 GAA and .896 SV%. He will take on the Buffalo Sabres, who just snapped a three-game losing streak with a 5-3 win over Nashville last contest and are 1st in the league in goals per game (3.85).

Kiersted had a goal, three assists, 14 SOG, six PIMs and a +4 plus/minus through 20 games with the Panthers but has been reassigned to Charlotte (AHL) for the second time this season. In 12 games with the Checkers previously, he had one assist and 16 PIMs.

Bobrosky allowed two goals on 31 shots (.935 SV%) for his second win in three starts as he beat Detroit in his previous time out. The 34-year-old is one of many veteran netminders who have struggled this season, with his 9-12-1 record, .895 SV% and 3.26 GAA. He will face the Colorado Avalanche, who just snapped a five-game losing streak with a 3-2 overtime win over Edmonton in their previous game.

Kahkonen allowed five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) as he picked up his third loss in four starts after a defeat to Anaheim last game. The 26-year-old backup netminder has been one of the league's poorest performers between the pipes this season, with his 4-7-4 record, 3.79 GAA and .869 SV%. He will hope for some more positive results as he takes on Arizona, who has lost five-straight contests and is last in the NHL in shots per game (25.0).

Schmidt has not played since Dec. 15th due to an upper-body injury but will draw back into the Jets' lineup Friday vs. Tampa Bay. The 31-year-old veteran defenseman had three goals, three assists, 37 SOG and a +6 plus/minus through 29 games prior to the injury.

Bobrovsky allowed five goals on 28 shots (.821 SV%) for his third loss in four starts as he was defeated by the New York Rangers his last time out. The 34-year-old has been struggling all season, with his 8-12-1 record, 3.32 GAA and .894 SV%. He will take on the Detroit Red Wings, who lost their last game 5-1 vs. New Jersey and are 21st in the NHL in goals per game (3.06).