Milano has not played since December 10th, missing 27 games with an upper-body injury, but appears to be ready for a return to the lineup on Saturday. Milano had been held to only one point (1G / 0A) in his last nine games before his injury, firing only six shots on goal and averaging 11:19 time-on-ice.
The 28-year-old McCarron has been rewarded for his most productive season to date, scoring 13 points (7G / 6A) in 42 games while averaging 11:52 time-on-ice and continuing his bruting style with 89 hits. McCarron has predominantly played this season on a line with Philip Tomasino and Cole Smith.
Vladar has not played since January 20th, serving as a backup to Jacob Markstrom, and has been activated after being on IR for the last week. The Flames recalled Dustin Wolf from the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) earlier this week before reassigning him back on Friday morning. Vladar owns an ugly 3.27 GAA and .888 SV% in 16 games (7-7-2) this season.
Schwindt returned to the Flames lineup on Thursday, his first game since January 27th, and has been reassigned to the Calgary Wrangles (AHL). The 22-year-old rookie right-winger has appeared in four games this season for the Flames, playing a minor role and picking up one SOG, two PIMs, and a -1 plus/minus while averaging less than seven minutes time-on-ice.
Wolf saw his first NHL action in over two months on Thursday after being recalled earlier this week to replace Dan Vladar (IR). The Flames goaltending prospect fared poorly, allowing six goals on 31 shots (.806 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the bottom-dwelling San Jose Sharks. Most of Wolf's heavy lifting this season has been done with the Wranglers, where he has been sensational this season, posting a 2.27 GAA and .927 SV% in 28 games (18-7-2).
Hunt played four games with the Flames earlier this season, scoring zero points and recording a -3 plus/minus rating. The majority of his 2023-24 campaign has been with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL), where he has accumulated 22 points (7G / 15A) in 23 games.
Luukkonen was originally projected to start on Thursday for the Sabres but was a late scratch in favour of Eric Comrie as Luukkonen tended to a lower-body injury. The 24-year-old netminder has taken over the Sabres' starting crease this season with his strong play and 13-13-2 record, 2.51 GAA and .913 SV%.
Zub played every game for the Senators since January 11th before missing Tuesday's and Thursday's contests with a lower-body injury and has been quietly productive from the blueline in that span, scoring seven points (0G / 7A) in his last 11 games. He has spent most of his time lately on the top defensive pair alongside Thomas Chabot.
Sanderson has not played since exiting the Senators' game on January 31st against the Detroit Red Wings after playing only 4:49 TOI due to a lower-body injury. The 21-year-old sophomore has taken a step forward across all aspects of his game in his second season and has seven goals, 24 points, 99 SOG, 19 PIMs and a +5 plus/minus in 47 games before his injury.
Rempe has earned a call-up from Hartford (AHL) and could be in line for his NHL debut. The 21-year-old has 12 points (8G / 4A) and 96 penalty minutes in 43 games with Hartford this season.
Clague spent a sizeable portion of the 2022-23 campaign with the Sabres but has spent the entirety of this season with the Rochester Americans (AHL). He has 23 points (3G / 20A) in 41 games with the Americans.
Tokarski was surprisingly called up from Rochester (AHL) on Thursday after Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was ruled out due to a lower-body injury. The 34-year-old has struggled in the AHL this season, with his 7-7-2 record, 3.47 GAA and .888 SV%. He last appeared in the NHL with Pittsburgh in 2022-23 and had a 1-2-0 record with a .897 SV%.
It's unclear exactly when Gibson suffered the injury, as he was able to complete the second period but did not come out for the third. Lukas Dostal replaced him. We should expect to receive an update on Gibson's injury following the conclusion of Thursday's game.
Wheeler suffered the injury mid-way through the first period of Thursday's game and did not return. He fell awkwardly after being hit by Jayden Struble and was unable to put any weight on his right leg as he left the ice. We should expect to receive an update on the injury following the conclusion of Thursday's game.
With Jake Guentzel (upper body) being placed on Injured Reserve on Thursday, Jonathan Gruden was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) for the second time this season. The 23-year-old left-winger has enjoyed a strong fourth AHL season in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, with 11 goals, eight assists, 34 PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 38 games this year.
Joseph will be the odd-man out on Thursday as the Penguins opt to go back to dressing just six defensemen. Joseph has no goals and three assists in 22 games this season.
Pitlick has regularly been a healthy scratch the last couple of weeks, playing only one of the last five games for the Blackhawks. In nine games this season, Pitlick has zero points, 13 shots, and nine hits while averaging 15:35 time-on-ice.
Deslauriers will re-enter the lineup in place of Olle Lycksell, who is listed as a healthy scratch. He'll skate alongside Scott Laughton on the Flyers' fourth line.
Lycksell will be the odd-man out on Thursday as Nic Deslauriers will slide back into the Flyers' lineup. Lycksell has no goals and one assist in five games this season.
Evans will be the odd-man out on Thursday as Brian Dumoulin (lower-body) is ready to return. Evans has no goals and four assists in 16 games this season.
