Demko exited Thursday's game against Seattle and has been sidelined since. Head coach Rick Tocchet said that Demko had "some back spasms, so I dont think it's serious." Tocchet added that it "could be a day or two" but back spasms are unpredictable. Kevin Lankinen will likely see the majority of action between the pipes while Demko is unavailable.
Colorado will roll with Blackwood between the pipes on Monday against the Florida Panthers. The 28-year-old Blackwood was excellent in his previous outing, a losing effort, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens. He has a 2.65 GAA and .916 SV% in 27 games this season (12-10-4). The Avalanche enter Monday's contest as -117 home favorites against a Panthers club that has only scored eight goals in their previous five games (2-3-0).
Pettersson has not played since December 23rd but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup after skating at practice on Monday. The 26-year-old Pettersson has had an off season after back-to-back point-per-game campaigns, scoring 28 points (10G / 18A) through 34 contests this season. He has been held off the scoresheet in six of his last seven outings.
The Capitals have points in three straight games (2-0-1) and will turn to Lindgren between the pipes on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres. Lindgren has allowed three or more goals in three straight (0-2-1), posting a subpar .877 SV%. The 31-year-old netminder has a 2.70 GAA and .898 SV% in 19 games this season (10-8-1). The Capitals enter Monday's contest as -140 road favorites against a Sabres club that has dropped 16 of their last 19 games (3-12-4).
The Oilers have outscored their opposition 11-5 during a three-game winning streak, and will likely turn to Skinner between the pipes on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. The 26-year-old Skinner has played well lately, recording a .924 SV% in his past five games (4-0-1). He has a 2.78 GAA and .898 SV% in 26 contests this season (15-8-3).
Lauzon was limited to 6:19 time-on-ice in Nashville's 5-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild last Tuesday and has not played since. It's unclear if his lower-body ailment is related to the one that kept him out of the lineup for 10 games earlier this season. The Predators have recalled Kevin Gravel from the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) in a corresponding move.
With Jeremy Lauzon (lower body) on Injured Reserve, the Predators have recalled Gravel from the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL). The 32-year-old Gravel is no stranger to the NHL, with 135 games of experience, but has primarily been an AHL player the past three seasons. He has five points (1G / 4A) in 25 games with Milwaukee this season.
Demko exited Thursday's game against Seattle and has been sidelined since. Head coach Rick Tocchet said that Demko had "some back spasms, so I dont think it's serious." Tocchet added that it "could be a day or two" but back spasms are unpredictable. Kevin Lankinen will likely see the majority of action between the pipes while Demko is unavailable.
Joshua played 10:23 time-on-ice in Vancouver's 3-0 loss to the Nashville Predators on January 3rd and has not played since due to a leg injury. Joshua will be out of the lineup until at least January 10th, when the Canucks visit the Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old Joshua has four points (2G / 2A), 20 penalty minutes, and 83 hits in 24 games this season. The Canucks have recalled Jonathan Lekkerimaki in a corresponding move.
Hughes has missed the previous four games due to an upper-body injury but could return to the lineup on Monday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 25-year-old Hughes is having another excellent season, scoring 42 points (8G / 34A) in 34 games. He was on a particularly strong stretch before his injury, with 22 points (4G / 18A) in his last 14 games.
Henri Jokiharju will draw back into Buffalo's lineup on Monday against the Washington Capitals, resulting in Gilbert being a healthy scratch. The 28-year-old Gilbert is averaging 10:35 time-on-ice, scoring one point (0G / 1A) while being limited to 13 games this season.
Dennis Gilbert will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Washington Capitals, allowing Jokiharju to re-enter the lineup. The 25-year-old Jokiharju has not played since December 21st. He is averaging 17:55 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 26 games this season.
Malenstyn is battling an illness and could miss his first game of the season when the Sabres play the Washington Capitals on Monday. The 26-year-old Malenstyn is averaging 10:30 time-on-ice and has eight points (4G / 4A) in 40 games this season.
Hyry made his NHL debut last week, playing two games for Dallas and scoring one point (0G / 1A). The 23-year-old Finnish forward has been excellent in his first professional year in North America, including tallying 26 points (14G / 12A) in 29 games with the Texas Stars (AHL).
Jenik was the 65th overall pick of the Arizona Coyotes in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. the 24-year-old Czech forward has 22 games of NHL experience but has primarily been an AHL player. He has seven points (4G / 3A) in 13 games with the Belleville Senators (AHL).
Martinpalo is an undrafted 26-year-old defenseman with five games of NHL experience, including one earlier this season. He has eight points (2G / 6A) in 24 games with the Belleville Senators (AHL) this season.
After a three-game winning streak, the Sabres have returned to the loss column, being outscored 13-8 during a three-game losing skid (0-2-1). Luukkonen struggled in his previous outing, allowing six goals on 29 shots (.793 SV%) in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche. He has a 3.07 GAA and .894 SV% in 28 games this season (11-12-4). The Sabres enter Monday's contest as +126 home underdogs against a Washington Capitals club with points in three straights (2-0-1).
Mikkola has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury on December 23rd, missing the past four games. He could return to the lineup on Monday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 28-year-old Mikkola has 14 points (4G / 10A) in 36 games this season.
Ekblad exited Friday's 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins late in the third period and has not practiced since, making his status for Monday's game against the Colorado Avalanche uncertain. With Niko Mikkola (undisclosed) also a game-time decision on Monday, the Panthers have recalled Tobias Bjornfot from the Charlotte Checkers (AHL).
With Aaron Ekblad and Niko Mikkola uncertain for Monday's game against the Colorado Avalanche due to an undisclosed injury, Florida has recalled Bjornfot from the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). The 23-year-old Bjornfot has spent most of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, tallying 11 points (2G / 9A) in 27 games with Charlotte.
