Nichushkin was suspended for six months in May and will make his season debut on November 15th, his first day of eligibility, as per head coach Jared Bednar. Off-ice issues aside, Nichushkin has been dynamite in his last three seasons with the Avalanche, scoring 152 points (70G / 82A) in 169 games, and he will provide an offensive boost to an injury-depleted team upon his return to the lineup.
Samsonov has been sidelined for the previous three games due to an undisclosed injury but was back at practice on Sunday. The 27-year-old Samsonov has a 2.95 GAA and .906 SV% in five games with Vegas this season (3-1-1).
Fabbro has spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Nashville Predators, the team that drafted him 17th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The 26-year-old Fabbro was in and out of the lineup with the Predators this season, recording zero points and a -3 plus/minus in six games.
Johnson has not played since October 17th, expected to miss an extended period of time, and has been placed on Injured Reserve to open up a roster spot. The 22-year-old Johnson was showing signs of a true breakout campaign with two goals and three assists in his first four games.
Wood has not played since October 28th but appears to be nearing an imminent return the the lineup. In 10 games this season, Wood has one goal, a -2 plus/minus, and is averaging 13:40 time-on-ice.
Romanov has missed seven of the previous eight games due to an upper-body injury but is nearing a return to the lineup. The 24-year-old Romanov has two points (0G / 2A), 19 blocks, and 14 hits in eight games this season.
The Canadiens are riding a six-game losing skid and will turn to Primeau between the pipes for the first time since October 31st when he allowed six goals on 28 shots (.824 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old Primeau has an ugly 4.38 GAA and .861 SV% in six games this season (1-2-1).
Hayes is battling an upper-body injury, has missed the previous two games, and will be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis. The 32-year-old Hayes has four points (3G / 1A) in 14 games and has been held off the scoresheet in six straight.
Lekkerimaki was the 15th overall pick of the Canucks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old made his professional North American hockey debut last season but has yet to play an NHL game. He has seven points (5G / 2A) in seven games with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) this season.
Blackwood has not played the last two games for the Sharks but will return to the crease on Sunday in a matchup against his former team, the New Jersey Devils. In eight games this season (2-4-2), Blackwood has a 3.52 GAA and .894 SV%. The Sharks enter Sunday's contest as sizeable +299 road underdogs against the Devils.
