McCue was the fifth-round pick (156 overall) of the San Jose Sharks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old McCue has 50 points (24G / 26A) in 52 games with the London Knights of the OHL.
Zub's return to the Senators lines up with the news that Travis Hamonic will be out for several weeks with an injury. The hard-hitting Zub had two points (0G / 2A), four shots, and 10 hits in his last four games before his injury.
Ethan Bear will be a healthy scratch on Friday as Nick Jensen returns from a two-game absence due to an illness. Bear played 15:58 time-on-ice in the Capitals 8-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, registering a -1 plus/minus, two penalty minutes, and one shot on goal.
Milano did not play on Monday or Tuesday due to an illness but will return to the lineup on Friday. Earlier this month, Milano returned from a multi-week absence due to injury and has potted three points (2G / 1A) in the four games he has played since.
Jensen has been battling a lower-body injury and did not play Monday or Tuesday but will return to the lineup against the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday. In his last contest, Jensen played 17:39 time-on-ice, recording two penalty minutes and three hits.
In presumably a paper transaction, Stankoven was reassigned to the Texas Stars (AHL). The 21-year-old has transitioned seamlessly to the NHL, scoring four points (3G / 1A) in four games while playing on a line with Wyatt Johnston and Jamie Benn.
Norris collided with the net in the second period and exited Tuesday's contest with an upper-body injury after playing only 6:03 time-on-ice. Norris, who missed most of the previous two seasons with a shoulder injury, received imagining and has been ruled out for the foreseeable future. Zack MacEwen was recalled from Belleville (AHL) in a corresponding move.
Lindgren will get the opportunity to redeem himself after a forgettable performance in his last outing. The 30-year-old Lindgren allowed a season-worst eight goals on 31 shots (.742 SV%) in an 8-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. After a tremendous start to the season, posting a .927 SV% in his first 18 games (9-4-3), Lindgren has fallen off significantly, showcasing an awful .872 SV% in his last 10 outings (3-5-2). The Capitals enter action against the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday as slight +103 home underdogs.
Vejmelka will likely get the opportunity to snap the Coyotes' 14-game losing skid on Friday, one loss short of their franchise-worst 15-game losing streak. Vejmelka has allowed four or more goals in each of his last seven starts (0-7-0), including allowing six goals on 36 shots (.833 SV%) in his most recent outing. The Coyotes, defeated 4-2 by the Toronto Maple Leafs yesterday night, enter action as +166 road underdogs against the Ottawa Senators.
Lindgren will likely get the opportunity to redeem himself after a forgettable performance in his last outing. The 30-year-old Lindgren allowed a season-worst eight goals on 31 shots (.742 SV%) in an 8-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. After a tremendous start to the season, posting a .927 SV% in his first 18 games (9-4-3), Lindgren has fallen off significantly, showcasing an awful .872 SV% in his last 10 outings (3-5-2). The Capitals enter action against the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday as slight +103 home underdogs.
Fowler exited Thursday's game against the San Jose Sharks, a 6-4 victory, early in the first period after taking a puck to the face. His status for Friday's game against the New Jersey Devils is up in the air. Before his injury, the veteran defenseman had one point (0G / 1A) in his last six games.
After starting three consecutive games backing up Anton Forsberg, Korpisalo will likely return to the crease for the second straight game on Friday. Korpisalo allowed four goals on 36 shots (.889 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday and is winless in his last four starts (0-3-1), allowing three or more goals in each. The Senators enter action on Friday as -186 home favourites against an Arizona Coyotes club riding an unprecedented 14-game losing skid (0-12-2).
Wilson was not at practice on Thursday for personal reasons but is expected to play on Friday after participating in the Capitals' morning skate. After being held without a point in eight straight, Wilson has begun to heat up, scoring three points (1G / 2A) in his last four games.
Tokarski has been recalled several times this season but has not played a game with the Sabres yet. The 34-year-old has struggled in the AHL this season, with his 7-7-2 record, 3.47 GAA and .888 SV%. He last appeared in the NHL with Pittsburgh in 2022-23 and had a 1-2-0 record with a .897 SV%.
Jost began the season with the Sabres, scoring four points (2G / 2A) in 29 games, but was placed on waivers in December and has been with the Rochester Americans (AHL) since. In 23 games with Rochester, the 25-year-old Jost has 13 points (3G / 10A).
MacEwen spent an early portion of the season with Ottawa, registering three points (2G / 1A) and 46 penalty minutes in 22 games, but has exclusively played in Belleville (AHL) over the last month. MacEwen will likely serve as a roster replacement for Josh Norris, who will be out week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
The Maple Leafs get Lyubushkin from the Ducks, who received a third-round pick and retained 50 percent of his $2.75M AAV cap-hit. The Hurricanes received a sixth-round pick to retain 25 percent of the contract. Lyubushkin is in his sixth NHL season and heads to Toronto with four assists, 112 hits and 138 blocked shots in 55 games this season.
Lacombe will draw back in for Ilya Lyubushkin, who is being scratched for precautionary reasons ahead of a potential trade. Lacombe has one goal and eight assists in 51 games this season.
Vlasic will miss a third consecutive game due to the upper-body injury. The 36-year-old defender was quietly productive before his injury, scoring four points (3G / 1A) in his last seven games, his most productive seven-game stretch since the 2018-19 season.
Giordano suffered the injury in the first period and did not return. Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said after the game the extent of the injury is unknown. We should expect to receive a more definitive update ahead of the Leafs' game on Saturday against the Rangers.
