McAvoy missed Thursday's game vs. the Wild but was on the ice for Saturday's morning skate and will be a game-time decision on Tampa. McAvoy has 20 points (5G / 15A) in 28 games this season.
Juolevi was back in the Panthers lineup on Thursday, playing just 8:11 TOI but will head back to the press box on Thursday. Juolevi will be replaced by Lucas Carlsson.
Carlsson was a healthy scratch in Dallas on Thursday but will replace Olli Juolevi in the lineup on Saturday. Carlsson has registered two goals and five assists (seven points) in 17 games this season.
Saturday will be Heponiemi's first game since December 16th, as he draws in to replace Patric Hornqvist (COVID-19 protocol) in the lineup. Heponiemi has yet to record a point in two games this season and has just two points (1G / 1A) in 11 career NHL games.
Hornqvist will not be available for Saturday's game in Carolina, so Aleksi Heponiemi will draw in to replace him. This comes in the middle of Hornqvist's best week of the season, having scored three goals with one assist in his last two games.
Malkin continues to practice with the team but the Penguins are taking a cautious approach to returning him to the lineup. His next chance to return is Tuesday in Anaheim.
Carter missed the last four games but will play Saturday afternoon in Dallas. Carter will replace Bryan Rust, who is on the COVID-19 protocol list, and should centre the second line and be on PP1. Carter has 17 points (9G / 8A) in 27 games this season.
McGinn and Bryan Rust were added to the COVID-19 protocol list this afternoon, so the Penguins will have to for with 11 forwards and seven defensemen in Dallas. Jeff Carter and Mark Friedman will draw into the lineup.
This is terrible timing for Rust, who has been one of the hottest players in the NHL recently, scoring eight goals with four assists (12 points) in his last four games. Jeff Carter will replace him in the lineup and Evan Rodrigues may replace him on the top line.
Brodin reportedly took a puck off of the hand in Boston and will not play Saturday and could be out for at least one week. The Wild will be without Brodin and Kirill Kaprizov tonight, both were hurt Thursday.
Werenski missed the last two games while in COVID-19 protocol but will play Saturday vs. the Devils. Werenski has played very well since the middle of November, tallying 14 points (4G / 10A) in his last 19 games.
The Sharks are hopeful that Karlsson will be available next Tuesday, so this does not appear to be an injury that will sideline him long-term. Brent Burns will remain on the top PP unit with Ryan Merkley on PP2 on Saturday.
Brassard returned to the lineup on Thursday, playing 16:40 TOI with three shots in the loss to the Penguins. However, he had a flare-up of his hip issue and is considered doubtful to be in the lineup on Saturday.
Schwartz has been out since December 29th and will miss at least another month. Lately, Marcus Johansson has been replacing Schwartz on the Kraken top line. Expect him to be moved to IR in the next few days.
Hunt will miss at least one week after being moved to IR on Friday. With Hunt and Julien Gauthier (COVID-19 protocol) out, the Rangers have recalled Jonny Brodzinski and Tim Gettinger from the taxi squad.
Capobianco will miss Saturday's game vs. the Predators but will be eligible to be active from COVID-19 protocol ahead of next Wednesday's game vs. the Maple Leafs.
