Samuelsson left the morning skate on Monday feeling "sore" and was a game-time decision ahead of the Sabres' contest against the Arizona Coyotes. Samuelsson has primarily skated as Rasmus Dahlin's defensive partner this season and has three points (1G / 2A) in 25 games, averaging 20:12 time-on-ice. Ryan Johnson will draw into the lineup in his place.
Levi was recalled by the Sabres last week after Eric Comrie was injured and has not looked back, playing his best hockey at the NHL level, allowing only three total goals in two games (1-0-1), boasting a .952 SV%. Levi will start for the Sabres on Monday as -125 home favourites in a favourable matchup against the Arizona Coyotes who, after winning five straight, have lost two in a row, being outscored 9-4 (0-2-0). Levi had a firm grasp on the Sabres' starting job at the beginning of the season, even when he was playing poorly, so his string of hot play right now could mean he gets priority in the crease again.
This could very well just be a paper transaction to save some cap space, as the Wild don't play again until Thursday. Mermis has two goals and three assists in 14 games with the Wild this season.
Hedman left the Lightning's game Saturday vs. Seattle after just 13:40 TOI due to an undisclosed injury and will be a game-time decision Tuesday vs. Vancouver. The 32-year-old towering defenseman is back to his Norris Trophy form this season, with five goals, 22 assists, 55 SOG, 22 PIMs and -5 plus/minus in 29 games played.
Meyers had five goals, 12 points and a +3 plus/minus in 17 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) and has earned his first call up to the Avalanche this season. The 25-year-old appeared in 39 games for the Avalanche in 2022-23, scoring four goals, six PIMs, 33 SOG and a -6 plus/minus.
Thrun has two assists, three SOG, two PIMs and a -2 plus/minus in three games played with the Sharks this season but has been reassigned to the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) Monday. The 22-year-old defenesemen returns to the minors, where he had a goal and six points in 18 games prior to his previous promotion.
Svechnikov was a late scratch on Thursday due to an upper-body injury and subsequently missed Saturday's contest. The Hurricanes have revealed that Svechnikov is getting an MRI and will be out indefinitely until more information is clear. Svechnikov has been unlucky with injuries lately, dating back to last season when he had season-ending knee surgery that kept him out of the lineup for the first several weeks of the 2023-24 campaign as well. The talented 23-year-old has not been as dominant as flashy as he has been in the past, tallying only 11 points (1G / 10A) in 16 games thus far.
Poehling did not play the last two games for the Flyers due to an illness but is expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Nashville Predators. Through 22 games this season, Poehling has six points (2G / 4A) and is averaging a career-high 12:52 time-on-ice. He has spent the majority of this season skating alongside Nicolas Deslauriers and Garnet Hathaway.
Vladar was relieved by Dustin Wolf in the second period in his last start after allowing three goals on 16 shots (.813 SV%) and will return to the crease on Monday in Colorado against the Avalanche. As a whole, Vladar has been inconsistent this season, sporting an ugly 3.45 GAA and .877 SV% through eight games (4-3-1). In addition, he only has two quality starts (.250 QS%) and has been difficult to rely upon this season. The Flames are +155 road underdogs against an Avalanche team that has lost five of their last six (1-3-2).
Durzi played on Saturday after sitting out the Coyotes' previous contest due to a lower-body injury but will be a game-time decision on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres as he continues to nurse his ailment. After a strong start to the season, scoring 12 points (5G / 7A) in 16 games, Durzi has only scored one point (0G / 1A) in his last nine. If he can play, he will likely skate alongside J.J. Moser at even strength and quarterback the top powerplay unit.
Vladar was relieved by Dustin Wolf in the second period in his last start after allowing three goals on 16 shots (.813 SV%) and will likely return to the crease on Monday in Colorado against the Avalanche. As a whole, Vladar has been inconsistent this season, sporting an ugly 3.45 GAA and .877 SV% through eight games (4-3-1). In addition, he only has two quality starts (.250 QS%) and has been difficult to rely upon this season. The Flames are +155 road underdogs against an Avalanche team that has lost five of their last six (1-3-2).
Kiviranta has primarily played this season on the fourth line, most recently alongside Kurtis MacDermid and Andrew Cogliano, scoring five points (2G / 3A) in 14 games, averaging 10:57 time-on-ice. He is currently battling an illness and will be a game-time decision on Monday against the Calgary Flames.
Manson scored two points (1G / 1A) on Saturday but suffered an undisclosed injury at some point and will be a game-time decision on Monday against the Calgary Flames. Most recently, Manson has skated on the second defensive pairing with Bowen Byram and has five points (2G / 3A), 12 hits, and 12 shots in his last five games.
Zacha exited Saturday's contest against the Arizona Coyotes with an upper-body injury after playing only 6:42 time-on-ice. Zacha has centred the top line and top powerplay unit all season, scoring 19 points (8G / 11A) in 26 games, averaging 18:22 time-on-ice. Morgan Geekie is expected to center the top line between Jake DeBrusk and David Pastrnak during Zacha's absence.
Reimer made his first appearance on Saturday since November 16th, entering the game in relief, saving all 11 shots he faced in a 5-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Reimer regularly saw action in the Red Wings crease before Alex Lyon emerged and demanded starting time with his strong play. In seven games this season, Reimer has played mostly well, posting a 2.18 GAA and .922 SV% in the process. The Red Wings, however, are without Dylan Larkin and J.T. Compher and, as such, are sizeable +189 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that has lost three of four games.
Larkin exited Saturday's contest against the Ottawa Senators, playing only 5:26 time-on-ice, after a scary incident that left him motionless on the ice for several moments. Larkin was able to skate off the ice with the help of his teammates but will be out of the lineup for a minimum of one week as he has been placed on the injured reserve. Zach Aston-Reese and Austin Czarnik have both been recalled from the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. Larkin's absence creates a void at the center-ice position for the Red Wings, who are already without J.T. Compher (soreness).
McTavish has missed the last three games for the Ducks but appears to be nearing a return, likely at some point on their upcoming four-game road trip. Before his injury, McTavish was held without a point in four straight games, recording a -7 plus/minus and six shots on goal.
Zegras has not played since November 7th but could return to the lineup for the Ducks on their upcoming four-game road trip. Zegras struggled to start the season but was presumably playing through his current injury, scoring only two points (1G / 1A) in 12 games. Expect Zegras to get top offensive deployment immediately when he returns to the lineup.
