Pinto didn't show any signs of an ailment in Tuesday's 4-0 win over Utah HC, but was not present at practice on Thursday, and will not play on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 23-year-old Pinto has three points and -3 plus/minus through six game this season. Cole Reinhardt will draw into the Senators' lineup as Pinto's replacement.
Ullmark has not dressed since the second game of the season but will return to the Senators' crease on Friday after missing four straight games. In his first two games as a Senator (1-1-0), Ullmark has a respectable 2.58 GAA and .914 SV%. The Senators, winners of two straight, enter action on Friday as +113 road underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.
After being the Islanders' starting goaltender in the first two games of the season, Varlamov has served as the backup to Ilya Sorokin in four of the last five games. Varlamov is expected to return to the starter's crease on Saturday, the tail end of a back-to-back, and search for his second victory of the season. The 36-year-old Varlamov, in his 17th NHL season, has started the 2024-25 season with undesirable results, showcasing a pedestrian 3.27 GAA and .868 SV% in three games (1-1-1).
Coronato already has two goals in five games this season after only scoring three in 34 games last season. That said, the 21-year-old Coronato, the Flames' 13th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, has been reassigned to the Calgary Wranglers (AHL), where he spent most of the 2023-24 campaign, tallying 42 points (15G / 27A) in 41 games.
Patrick Roy and the Islanders coaching staff will turn to Sorokin between the pipes on the front end of a back-to-back. After serving as the backup to Semyon Varlamov in the first two games of the season, Friday's start against the New Jersey Devils will make four starts for Sorokin in the last five games. The 29-year-old Sorokin has been excellent to start the 2024-25 season despite a modest 1-1-1 record, posting a stellar 1.34 GAA and .947 SV%. The Islanders enter action on Friday as +119 road underdogs against the Devils.
Bjugstad suffered an upper-body in the preseason and has missed the first eight games of the season but will make his debut on Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 32-year-old Bjugstad had a career-high 22 goals in 76 games last season.
With a hot start to the 2024-25 season, scoring seven points (4G / 3A) in his first seven games, Lafreniere has been rewarded with a seven-year, $52.15 million contract extension. After struggling to live up to his status as a 1st overall draft pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Lafreniere has established himself as an offensive threat in the league since the latter part of last season. The 23-year-old Lafreniere has collected 37 points (21G / 16A) in his previous 41 games after only tallying 118 points (58G / 60A) in his first 263.
After rolling with Alex Nedeljkovic for two straight games (0-1-1), the Penguins will turn back to Blomqvist between the pipes on Friday evening against the Edmonton Oilers. The Penguins have had suspect goaltending all season, ranking worst in the league with 35 goals allowed in eight games (3-4-1), but have had a glimmer of stability with Blomqvist in the crease. The 22-year-old Blomqvist has a 3.16 GAA and .908 SV% in four outings this season (2-2-0). The Penguins enter action on Friday as +191 road underdogs against the Oilers.
Emberson was a healthy scratch on Tuesday but will re-enter the lineup on Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 24-year-old Emberson has zero points, a -3 plus/minus, five blocks, and six hits through five games this season.
Novak was a fifth-round pick of the Minnesota Wild in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old made his North American professional hockey debut last season, splitting time between the Iowa Heartlanders (ECHL) and the Iowa Wild (AHL).
Ruhwedel has been sidelined for six of seven games this season and will report to Hartford (AHL) after clearing waivers on Friday. The 34-year-old Ruhwedel recorded a +2 plus/minus in 14:04 time-on-ice in his only game this season.
Misyul got his first taste of NHL action earlier this week, recording a -1 plus/minus in 12:23 time-on-ice, but will return to the Utica Comets (AHL). The 24-year-old Misyul was the 70th overall pick of the Devils in 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Misyul had 14 points (4G / 10A) in 44 games with Utica last season.
Brannstrom had been serviceable in a limited role for Vancouver, producing one points (0G / 1A) and a +2 plus/minus while averaging 13:23 time-on-ice in three games. The 25-year-old Brannstrom played two games with Abbotsford (AHL) earlier this season, recording three points (0G / 3A).
Bains is averaging 12:38 time-on-ice, failing to record a point, through three games with the Canucks this season. Last season with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL), Bains was an offensive stalwart, producing 55 points (16G / 39A) in 59 games.
After rolling with Alex Nedeljkovic for two straight games (0-1-1), the Penguins will likely turn back to Blomqvist between the pipes on Friday evening against the Edmonton Oilers. The Penguins have had suspect goaltending all season, ranking worst in the league with 35 goals allowed in eight games (3-4-1), but have had a glimmer of stability with Blomqvist in the crease. The 22-year-old Blomqvist has a 3.16 GAA and .908 SV% in four outings this season (2-2-0). The Penguins enter action on Friday as +191 road underdogs against the Oilers.
Compher did not play in Thursday's 5-3 win over the New Jersey Devils but could be an option on Saturday afternoon against the Buffalo Sabres. The 29-year-old Compher has four points (2G / 2A) and a +2 plus/minus through six games this season.
After being outscored 15-8 in their first four games (1-3-0), the Red Wings have eased into some stability, outscoring their opposition 11-5 during a three-game winning streak. The Red Wings will turn Lyon between the pipes on Saturday for his third start in their last four contests. The 31-year-old Lyon has been stellar to start the 2024-25 campaign, boasting a tremendous 1.46 GAA and .955 SV% in four appearances (2-1-0).
Fortunately for Johnson and the Blue Jackets, Johnson will not require surgery, the slimmest of silver linings on unfortunate injury news on the talented youngster. The 22-year-old Johnson was showing signs of a true breakout campaign with two goals and three assists in his first four games.
Aube-Kubel played only 5:45 time-on-ice before exiting Buffalo's season-opening game and has missed seven straight since then. The 28-year-old signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Sabres in the offseason after a 2023-24 campaign with the Washington Capitals where he scored 16 points (6G / 10A) in 60 games.
Hartman has missed the last three games and will miss at least two more due to an upper-body injury. The 30-year-old Hartman was off to a strong start to the season before his injury, with two goals in his first four games.
