Koepke exited Monday's contest against the New York Islanders after only 2:50 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. The 27-year-old Koepke recorded his first point of the season, an assist, before suffering the injury.
Fleury departed Saturday's game after taking a shot off the "side of the kneecap" according to head coach Scott Arniel. The 29-year-old Fleury did not play in Winnipeg's following game but appears to be nearing a return after practicing on Wednesday.
After getting the night off in Utah's most recent outing, Vejmelka will likely return to the crease on Wednesday against the Calgary Flames. Vejmelka has been solid early in the 2025-26 season but has only been rewarded with a 1-1-0 record, despite an impressive 1.99 GAA and .920 SV%. The Czech goaltending tandem of Vejmelka and Vitek Vanecek should continue to be led by Vejmelka, unless his play dictates otherwise. The Mammoth enters Wednesday's contest as sizable -220 home favorites against a Flames team that has been outscored 9-16 in their first four games (1-3-0).
Jake Allen was the starting goalie in Monday's 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, but exited due to cramping and was replaced by Markstrom. Markstrom saved 8 of 9 shots (.889 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Blue Jackets, but appeared to be in discomfort towards the end of the contest. The team confirmed Markstrom will be sidelined for several weeks. Expect Jake Allen and the recently recalled Nico Daws to occupy the Devils' crease in Markstrom's absence.
The Panthers' first loss of the season came in their most recent outing with Daniil Tarasov between the pipes, but the team will return to Bobrovsky on Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 37-year-old Bobrovsky has been excellent early in the 2025-26 season, showcasing an impressive 1.67 GAA and .925 SV% through three games (3-0-0). The Panthers enter Tuesday's contest as -145 road favorites against a Red Wings team riding a two-game winning streak.
Kulikov was limited to only 7:47 time-on-ice before exiting last Thursday's contest against the Philadelphia Flyers. His long-term absence is the latest in a list of lineup-regulars the Panthers will be without for the foreseeable future.
Three games into the Blues' season, head coach Jim Montgomery has alternated goalies, a trend that will continue on Wednesday with Hofer tending the twine. When Montgomery was the head coach of the Boston Bruins, he followed a similar tactic, regularly alternating starts between Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark, but it's unclear whether that will be his long-term approach in the 2025-26 season with the Blues. Hofer was solid in his only start this season, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames.
Linus Ullmark has started Ottawa's first three games this season (1-2-0), but he will get the night off on Wednesday when Merilainen tends the twine for the first time this season. The 23-year-old Merilainen was excellent in limited action last season, posting a 1.99 GAA and .925 SV% in 12 appearances (8-3-1). Entering the 2025-26 season as the Senators' undisputed backup, the Finnish netminder should have no problem passing his career-high 11 starts from a season ago. The Senators enter Wednesday's action as -117 road favorites against a frustrated 0-3-0 Buffalo Sabres team that has been outscored 10-2.
Three games into the Blues' season, head coach Jim Montgomery has alternated goalies, a trend that will continue on Wednesday with Hofer tending the twine. When Montgomery was the head coach of the Boston Bruins, he followed a similar tactic, regularly alternating starts between Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark, but it's unclear whether that will be his long-term approach in the 2025-26 season with the Blues. Hofer was solid in his only start this season, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames.
Sorokin gave up four goals on 25 shots in the Islanders loss to the Jets on Monday. He was giving Thursday night off and David Rittich turned in an excellent performance, but they will go back to Sorokin this afternoon in Ottawa. Sorokin has allowed four goals in all three of his starts this season, going 0-3-0 with a 4.18 GAA and .854 SV%.
The winless Islanders (0-3-0) will hope for a better result on Thursday, turning to Rittich for his Islanders debut season in a meeting with the Edmonton Oilers. The 33-year-old Rittich was serviceable in two seasons as the Los Angeles Kings' backup goalie, posting a 2.55 GAA and .902 SV% in 58 combined games (29-20-5). Rittich has played reasonably well in his career against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, posting a 2.68 GAA and .906 SV% in 14 appearances (5-5-1).
With Miles Wood (upper body) out of the lineup for at least a week, Chinakhov will draw in and make his season debut on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 24-year-old Chinakhov scored 15 points (7G / 8A) in 30 games last season. The talented forward had a season-opening stint with 14 points (7G / 7A) in his first 21 games last season, but has lacked consistent production.
In Monday's game against the New Jersey Devils, an errant stick of defenseman Dougie Hamilton cut Wood's face. Wood left for repairs after only 1:17 time-on-ice and did not return. The 30-year-old Wood has one goal through three games this season.
Gibson had a poor debut in Detroit's season-opening matchup, allowing five goals on 13 shots (.615 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, prompting a goalie change in their next three games, in which the team went undefeated (3-0-0) courtesy of strong play from veteran goalie Cam Talbot. That said, Gibson will be back between the pipes on Friday, looking to rebound against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 32-year-old Gibson has battled injuries over his career but played well when called upon in his final season with the Anaheim Ducks in 2024-25, posting a 2.77 GAA and .911 SV% in 29 outings (11-11-2). The Red Wings enter Friday's contest as +128 home underdogs against a Lightning team off to a disappointing 1-2-1 start in 2025-26.
Foligno has opted for a personal leave of absence to be with his daughter, who will be undergoing follow-up surgery related to her congenital heart disease. There is no timeline for Foligno's return.
Borgen showed no signs of an injury in Tuesday's 2-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, playing a season-high 20:32 time-on-ice, but did not participate in practice on Wednesday. The Rangers recalled defenseman Scott Morrow from the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) in a corresponding move.
Trocheck suffered an upper-body injury in the Rangers' second game of the season. He was given a week-to-week return timeline and will officially be out of the lineup for at least a month after being placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve. The 32-year-old Trocheck scored 59 points (26G / 33A) in 82 games last season. His offensive prowess will be greatly missed on a Rangers team that has already been shut out in three of its first five games (2-3-0).
With Will Borgen battling a lower-body injury, the Rangers recalled Morrow from the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL). The 22-year-old Morrow has six points (1G / 5A) in 16 games of NHL experience over the previous two seasons, all with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Benson has not played in Buffalo's first three games due to an upper-body injury but will draw into the lineup in Wednesday's contest against the Ottawa Senators. The 20-year-old Benson scored 28 points (10G / 18A) in 75 games last season.
Raymond exited Monday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs after only 7:58 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. He skated at practice on Wednesday but did not participate in team drills, and it's unclear when he may return to the lineup. The 23-year-old Raymond was off to a strong start to the season, with three points (2G / 1A) in three games. Elmer Soderblom will draw into Detroit's lineup on Wednesday as Raymond's replacement.
