Atkinson has been held out of three of Tampa Bay's first five games but will likely return to the lineup on Monday as Conor Sheary is expected to be a healthy scratch. In two games, Atkinson has one point (0G / 1A) while averaging less than nine minutes of playing time.
The struggling Predators, the only team without a point in the 2024-25 season (0-5-0), are looking for a spark and have recalled L'Heureux from the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL). The 21-year-old L'Heureux was the 27th overall pick of the Predators in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and has yet to make his NHL debut. He had 48 points (19G / 29A) in 66 games with Milwaukee last season.
Joseph Woll (lower-body) is seemingly nearing a return from injury, but for the fifth time in six games to start the season, the Maple Leafs will likely turn to Stolarz between the pipes. The 30-year-old Stolarz has been tremendous early in his tenure with the Maple Leafs, allowing two or fewer goals in each of his four outings (2-2-0), posting a stellar 1.79 GAA and .937 SV%. The Maple Leafs enter the action on Monday as -136 home favorites against a Tampa Bay Lightning club coming off a 5-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators.
Greenway did not play on Saturday, a late scratch due to an undisclosed ailment, but was back to practice on Monday as a full participant. Sabres' head coach Lindy Ruff indicated that Greenway will likely return to the lineup on Tuesday. The 6'6, 27-year-old Greenway is off to a strong start to the 2024-25 season, posting four points (2G / 2A), seven blocks, and 19 hits in six games.
Woll was projected to be the opening night starter for the Maple Leafs but suffered a last-minute lower-body ailment, resulting in him missing the first six games and pivoting the starting goalie role to Anthony Stolarz. That said, Stolarz has been terrific filling in this season, posting a 1.79 GAA and .937 SV% in three games (2-1-0), which could pose an obstacle for Woll's playing time when he returns to the lineup. In 25 games played in 2023-24, Woll had a 12-11-1 record with a 2.94 GAA and .907 SV%. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube indicated the Woll could be an option for Tuesday's contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Reaves has played the last three games for the Maple Leafs but will serve as a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Max Pacioretty to return to the lineup. Reaves has zero points, three shots, and 12 hits in four games this season.
Pacioretty has been absent from the Maple Leafs' lineup for the last two games due to an undisclosed ailment but will draw back in on Monday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In his first three games as a Maple Leaf, Pacioretty has one point (1G / 0A). Ryan Reaves will serve as a healthy scratch to facilitate Pacioretty's return.
With the Devils assigning Seamus Casey to the Utica Comets (AHL), Misyul has been recalled and could get his first taste of NHL action. 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, his first taste of professional hockey in North America.
Despite a solid start to his NHL career, Casey will report to the Utica Comets of the AHL. In his first eight games, the 20-year-old Casey has four points (3G / 1A), seven blocks, and four hits. The Devils have recalled Daniil Misyul from Utica in a corresponding move.
Tkachuk has not played since the second game of the season on October 10th, missing five contests, but appears to be on schedule for his targeted return date of October 22nd. Over the past three seasons, Tkachuk has been among the league leaders in the NHL, averaging 1.25 points per game. He has two points (0G / 2A) and seven shots on goal in two games this season.
Merzlikins has not dressed for the last two games, recovering from an upper-body injury, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup after being a full participant at practice on Monday. In his previous two seasons combined, Merzlikins has a horrid 3.77 GAA and .889 SV% in 71 appearances (20-35-10). Through two starts this season, Merzlikins is showcasing similar results, posting a 0-2-0 record with a 3.68 GAA and .854 SV%.
Only five games into his tenure as a New York Islander, Duclair has suffered an undisclosed injury that will keep him sidelined indefinitely. The 30-year-old Duclair was signed in the offseason to add an offensive punch to a typically low-scoring Islanders club and was off to a solid start, with three points (2G / 1A) in five games.
Joseph Woll (lower-body) is seemingly nearing a return from injury, but for the fifth time in six games to start the season, the Maple Leafs will likely turn to Stolarz between the pipes. The 30-year-old Stolarz has been tremendous early in his tenure with the Maple Leafs, allowing two or fewer goals in each of his four outings (2-2-0), posting a stellar 1.79 GAA and .937 SV%. The Maple Leafs enter the action on Monday as -136 home favorites against a Tampa Bay Lightning club coming off a 5-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators.
