This is a lot earlier than expected. Vesey was originally listed as week-to-week but is hopeful he'll play Saturday vs. the Islanders. Vesey recorded just two assists in his first 11 games with the Sabres.
Sekera did not play Tuesday vs. the Wild and will not play Friday against the Avalanche. The Stars have a back-to-back on Friday/Saturday, so look for them to continue with a third pair of Joel Hanley and Taylor Fedun.
There hasn't been a lot of news surrounding Byfuglien's potential return but this effectively ends his 2019-20 season. Byfuglien's career remains in question and if you were holding onto him in the hope of a mid-season return, you can drop him now.
Rittich allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Flames loss in Carolina on Tuesday. Rittich has lost three of his last four starts (1-2-1) while posting a 3.44 GAA and .895 SV%. The Flames have started to struggle and they draw a horrible road matchup on Thursday--Nashville comes in at 8-3-1 and lead the NHL in goal-scoring (4.00 GF/gm).
Kuznetsov was banged up in Toronto when he went face-first into the boards early in the first period. He ended up playing 18:18 TOI and finished the game but missed Thursday's practice and may not play Friday.
Boqvist was the No.8 overall pick in 2018 and has registered just one goal in six games with Rockford this season. He is an under-sized, offensive-minded defenseman that had 60 points (20G / 40A) in 54 games with the London Knights (OHL) last season. The Blackhawks continue to make a commitment to younger players, as Boqvist's promotion comes one day after they said Kirby Dach will remain with the team.
Forsberg missed the last six games with a lower-body injury but was back on the ice for Thursday's morning skate and is expected to play vs. the Flames. Forsberg, who has eight points (5G / 3A) in six games this season, will be back on the second line with Matt Duchene and Mikael Granlund.
Rinne stopped all 20 shots that he faced in the Predators shutout win over the Blackhawks on Tuesday. Rinne has posted back-to-back shutouts and has won three in a row while allowing just one goal on 73 shots (.986 SV%). He is a must-start every night but tonight he faces a Flames team that has lost three of their last four while averaging 2.50 goals per game.
Hannikainen has registered four points (1G / 3A) in five AHL games this season and comes up ahead of the Blue Jackets' Friday/Saturday back-to-back. With Alexandre Texier out, Hannikainen could replace Jakob Lilja and make his season debut this week. He has 15 points (8G / 7A) in 91 career games with Columbus.
Dowd was forced to leave Tuesday's game in Toronto with a lower-body injury and is officially listed as day-to-day. Dowd is unlikely to play Friday vs. the Sabres, so look for Chandler Stephenson to draw back into the lineup.
The Senators have five days off between games so they sent Chlapik back to the AHL to get some salary savings. The 22-year-old has one goal in six AHL games this season and returns to the Senators where he has one assist in two games.
The Senators have five days off between games so they sent Beaudin back to the AHL to get some salary savings. The 22-year-old centre returns to the NHL where he has no points while playing just 6:22 ATOI through three games this season.
Donato played just 6:59 TOI last night and has produced just two helpers in 11 games this season, so with Kevin Fiala healthy, the Wild won’t hesitate to change up a losing lineup.
Fiala missed three games with a lower-body injury and was a healthy scratch in Dallas last night but will replace Ryan Donato on the fourth line on Wednesday. He has just one assist in seven games this season.
Dubnyk missed two games with an upper-body injury but was Alex Stalock's backup last night and is expected to start tonight in St. Louis. Dubnyk lost his first five starts of the season but has since registered back-to-back wins while stopping 39 of the 42 shots (.929 SV%) that he faced. He was 3-0-0 with a 1.32 GAA and .947 SV% in three games against the Blues last season but remains a risky option on Wednesday.
Volkov has registered three assists in three games at the AHL level this season and will make his debut in New Jersey because Patrick Maroon is out with an upper-body injury.
Maroon was hurt in a fight on Tuesday night and will come out of the lineup for Wednesday’s game in New Jersey. Alexander Volkov was summoned from the AHL and will make his NHL debut in Maroon’s place.
Hedman left Tuesday’s game in the first period after sustaining a lower-body injury and will not be available in the second game of the Lightning’s back-to-back. Jan Rutta is expected to replace Hedman on the back-end.
