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.
The Flyers, losers of six straight (0-5-1), will desperately try to return to the win column on Saturday against a red-hot Minnesota Wild club that is one of two teams without a regulation loss this season (5-0-2). Partially a byproduct of poor team play, the 25-year-old Ersson has posted a lackluster 3.22 GAA and .886 SV% through five appearances this season (1-2-1).
Konecny was absent from practice on Friday, and his status for Saturday's game against the Minnesota Wild is up in the air. The lowly 1-5-1 Flyers can ill afford to lose their talented forward, Konecy, who has four points (3G / 1A) in seven games this season.
Allard was a fifth-round pick of Utah HC in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old has spent the last four seasons in the OHL playing for the Soo Greyhounds, including a 44-point campaign last season (18G / 26A).
After a two-game absence, Xhekaj will draw back into the Canadiens' lineup on Saturday against the St. Louis Blues. In five games this season, Xhekaj has zero points, a -4 plus/minus, and 10 hits.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Canadiens will turn to Primeau between the pipes on Sunday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Despite allowing six combined goals in his last two outings (0-0-1), Primeau has been solid in limited action for the Canadiens lately, posting a .915 SV%. The Canadiens enter the action on Sunday as +146 road underdogs against the Flyers.
On the front end of a back-to-back, the Canadiens will turn to Montembeault between the pipes for the fifth time in the last six games. After a fabulous start to the season, saving 72 of 73 shots (.986 SV%) in his first two contests (2-0-0), Montembeault has lost three straight (0-3-0), allowing three or more goals in each while posting an ugly .829 SV%. The Canadiens will host a St. Louis Blues club averaging 3.0 goals per game.
Victor Mancini will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season, allowing Jones to re-enter the lineup. Jones has not played the last three games and has one point (0G / 1A) through four contests this season.
Zac Jones will draw back into the Rangers lineup on Saturday, resulting in Mancini being a healthy scratch. Mancini has played all seven games for the Rangers this season, tallying three points (1G / 2A).
Pesce signed a six-year contract to join New Jersey in the offseason after nine successful seasons on Carolina's blueline and finally make his Devils debut on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings, recording three shots in 17:33 time-on-ice. He will be a game-time decision on Friday against the New York Islanders as he eases back into the lineup. In 70 games in 2023-24, Pesce had three goals, 13 points, 20 PIMs, and a +10 plus/minus while averaging 20:17 TOI/GP.
Hughes played his first game of the season on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings after suffering a shoulder injury in mid-September and recorded one assist in 15:11 time-on-ice. He will be a game-time decision on Friday against the New York Islanders as he is eased back into the lineup. In 2023-24, he had nine goals, 47 points, 135 SOG, 28 PIMs, and a -25 plus/minus in 82 games, finishing third place in voting for the Calder trophy.
The Devils acquired Jake Allen at the trade deadline last season and Jacob Markstrom in the offseason to solidify their goaltending after allowing the sixth most goals in 2023-24. That said, 10 games into the 2024-25 campaign, the Devils have allowed 33 goals, second most in the league. To the Devils' advantage, they enter action on Friday as -127 home favorites against a New York Islanders team that has only scored 14 goals this season, the fewest in the league. In three outings this season (2-1-0), Allen has a 3.01 GAA and .880 SV%.
Reinhardt was recalled last weekend as well but served as a healthy scratch for Ottawa. The 24-year-old Reinhardt has five points (2G / 3A) in three games this season with the Belleville Senators (AHL).
