Willman will unfortunately be the odd man out as Kurtis MacDermid (lower body) returns to the Devils' lineup on Wednesday vs. the Rangers. The 29-year-old Willman will lose his seat for some strength in the lineup but has played very well in a limited role this season, with three goals, four points,17 SOG and two PIMs in 18 games played while averaging only 8:19 TOI/GP.
MacDermid has missed the Devils' previous four games due to a lower-body injury but will return for the second half of their back-to-back on Wednesday vs. the Rangers. The 30-year-old bruising hybrid player chose a good day to return as many are expecting him to finally square up with New York's Matthew Rempe. He has an assist, three SOG and 30 PIMs in 10 games played with the Devils since being acquired at the trade deadline.
Kahkonen will man the Devils' crease for the first time in four games and his fourth time since being acquired from San Jose at the trade deadline. The 27-year-old has played exceptionally better during his time with the Devils, as proven by his 1-2-0 record, 2.17 GAA and .934 SV% since being traded. He will head to New York to take on cross-town rivals in the Rangers, who have won five of their last six games and have the NHL's fourth-best powerplay this season (25.7%).
Wagner scored his first goal as a member of the Colorado Avalanche on Monday and has earned himself a one-year contract extension for the 2024-25 season. The 32-year-old veteran should compete for Colorado's fourth-line centre role next year but will hope to build off of his two points (1G/1A) in 10 games this season.
The Kings have lost three straight, falling to the second Wild Card position in the Western Conference, and will return to Talbot between the pipes. Talbot has allowed three or more goals in three of his last four (2-2-0), including four on 32 shots (.875 SV%) in his last outing, a 4-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The Kings enter action on Wednesday as -178 home favourites against the Seattle Kraken.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Canucks will turn to Silovs between the pipes on Wednesday after losing with Casey DeSmith 6-3 last night to the Vegas Golden Knights. Silovs played well in his first action of the season on Sunday, saving 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. The Canucks enter action as -136 road favourites against the Arizona Coyotes.
Pitre was the 65th overall pick of the Ducks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old forward has enjoyed a productive third season with the Flint Firebirds (OHL), scoring 55 points (27G / 28A) in 55 games.
Sidorov was the 85th overall pick of the Ducks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old forward has 88 points (50G / 38A) in 66 games with the Saskatoon Blades (WHL) this season.
McTavish scored a goal before exiting Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames with only 6:32 of ice time due to a lower-body injury. McTavish has goals in back-to-back games after being held without a point for 10 straight.
Lardis was the third-round pick (67th overall) of the Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old has 50 points (29G / 21A) in 47 games with the Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) this season.
On the front end of a back-to-back, Tampa Bay will roll with Vasilevskiy between the pipes for the fourth straight game. Vasilevskiy has allowed three or fewer goals in four of his last five (3-2-0), but it was not enough in his last outing, saving 28 of 31 shots (.903 SV%) in a 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Tampa Bay enters action on Wednesday as a +106 road underdog against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Ostman is an undrafted 23-year-old out of Sweden who has played collegiate hockey for the last four seasons with the University of Maine. His 2023-24 campaign consisted of a 2.81 GAA and .892 SV% in 21 games (13-6-1).
Tatar has served the last four games as a healthy scratch but will draw back into the lineup on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken. The Slovak forward has struggled this season and has zero points in his last six contests.
Danault has missed two games due to an upper-body injury and his status is up in the air for Wednesday's contest against the Seattle Kraken. Danault has 42 points (17G / 25A) in 72 games this season but has been held off the scoresheet in his last three.
Kuemper has only started one of the last 10 games for the Capitals but with an impending back-to-back against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes, he would likely see some action if he can suit up. The 33-year-old Kuemper has had a forgettable season, posting an ugly 3.32 GAA and .888 SV% in 33 games (13-13-3).
Brazeau played only 3:45 of time-on-ice before exiting Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Nashville Predators with an upper-body injury. Brazeau has been a lineup regular for the Bruins for the last several weeks and had five points (4G / 1A) in six games before his injury.
Mangiapane has missed three straight and his status is up in the air for Thursday's game against the Winnipeg Jets. After scoring nine points (3G / 6A) in 11 games, Mangiapane was held off the scoresheet in four straight before his injury.
Hanley exited Tuesday's 5-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks after playing only 3:44 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury and will not play on Thursday. Since joining the Flames before the trade deadline, Hanley has two points (1G / 1A), 15 blocks, and 12 hits in 10 games.
Hayes is battling an illness and his status is up in the air for Thursday's game against the Nashville Predators. In his last outing, Hayes had two assists, snapping a six-game pointless skid.
