Simon Despres served as a healthy scratch for the first time in 2014-15 on Friday.

Despres served as a healthy scratch for the first time in 2014-15 on Friday.

Analysis:

After the game, coach Mike Johnston said that he had to sit one of his seven healthy defenders and didn't want Robert Bortuzzo -- who sat out the team's last game -- to grow cold. Bortuzzo didn't play particularly well against the Islanders, so there's a good chance Despres returns to the lineup Saturday.