Brett Pesce (lower body) will not play on Wednesday, allowing Kovacevic to re-enter the lineup. The 31-year-old Kovacevic is averaging 16:43 time-on-ice and has two assists in 13 games this season.
Pesce played 22:04 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers, but will not be available on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:18 time-on-ice and has seven points (1G / 6A) in 37 games this season. Johnathan Kovacevic will draw into the lineup as Pesce's replacement.
The Devils have won two straight games with Jacob Markstrom between the pipes and will hope the team's momentum can carry over to Allen when he tends the twine on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite a four-game losing streak (0-4-0), the 35-year-old Allen has played serviceably, posting a 2.85 GAA and .892 SV%. The Devils enter Wednesday's contest as -117 home favourites against a reeling Maple Leafs team that has been outscored 17-7 since returning from the Olympic break (0-3-1).
Kotkaniemi has yet to play since NHL action resumed after the Olympic break, but he will re-enter the lineup on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 25-year-old Finnish forward has nine points (2G / 7A) in 36 games this season and has only three assists in his last 17 games.
With the trade deadline less than 48 hours away, the Maple Leafs are protecting their assets and keeping several players out of the lineup on Wednesday, including Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The 34-year-old Swedish defenseman is averaging 20:47 time-on-ice and has 35 points (8G / 27A) in 61 games, his best point production since scoring 44 points in the 2018-19 season.
With the trade deadline less than 48 hours away, the Maple Leafs are protecting their assets and keeping several players out of the lineup on Wednesday, including Scott Laughton. The Maple Leafs acquired Laughton at the deadline last season, but he could be on the move again. The 31-year-old forward is averaging 13:40 time-on-ice and has 12 points (8G / 4A) in 43 games this season.
With the trade deadline less than 48 hours away, the Maple Leafs are protecting their assets and keeping several players out of the lineup on Wednesday, including Bobby McMann. The 29-year-old McMann is averaging 15:19 time-on-ice, recording 32 points (19G / 13A), 125 shots, and 135 hits in 60 games this season.
Frederik Andersen was awarded rare consecutive starts for the Hurricanes, but the team will return to Bussi on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 27-year-old rookie goalie had a shaky performance in his most recent outing, but continued his winning ways despite allowing four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%) in a 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Bussi has a 2.00 GAA and .911 SV% during an eight-game winning streak. The Hurricanes enter Wednesday's contest as enormous -302 road favourites against a Canucks team that has scored two or fewer goals in nine straight games (1-6-2).
Byfield was a surprise scratch on Monday, with the Kings not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Despite the two-day break between games, Byfield will remain out of the lineup for a second consecutive game on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 23-year-old Byfield has been held off the scoresheet in eight of his last 12 games.
Doughty was limited to 15:15 time-on-ice in last Thursday's 8-1 blowout loss to the Edmonton Oilers, exiting the game with a lower-body injury, and has been sidelined for two games since. The 36-year-old Doughty is averaging 22:48 time-on-ice and has 14 points (3G / 11A) in 50 games this season.
Moore did not play in the Kings' previous game due to an illness, but was back at practice on Wednesday and should be ready for Thursday's game against the New York Islanders. The 30-year-old Moore tallied an assist in his most recent outing, but has had a down season offensively, with only 16 points (7G / 9A) through 47 games (0.34 PTS/GP). Coming into the 2025-26 season, Moore had 174 points (76G / 98A) in 293 games over the last three seasons (0.59 PTS/GP).
With Ryan Pulock (upper body) out of the lineup, Boqvist draw back in for the first time since January 26th. The 25-year-old Boqvist is averaging 12:30 time-on-ice and has one assist in 20 games this season.
Pulock played 22:12 time-on-ice and recorded an assist in the Islanders' previous game and was given the day off from practice on Tuesday for maintenance. That said, he will not play on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 31-year-old defenseman has 24 points (3G / 21A) in 59 games this season. Adam Boqvist will enter the lineup as Pulock's replacement.
Duclair was a healthy scratch in the Islanders' final game before the Olympic break, following a game where he only played 3:04 time-on-ice. He made his return to the lineup in New York's previous game, but is clearly in poor standing with the team at the moment and will return to the sidelines. The 30-year-old Duclair has one assist and a -4 plus/minus in his last six games.
Hofer entered the Olympic break on a rough run, posting an ugly 3.98 GAA and .824 SV% in during a four-game stretch (1-2-1). That said, the 25-year-old goalie seems to have returned to the form he was showcasing through much of December and January, saving 45 of 47 combined shots (.957 SV%) in two games (2-0-0) since returning from the league stoppage. The Blues enter Wednesday's contest as +126 road underdogs against a Seattle Kraken team that has scored two or fewer goals in three of four games since returning from the Olympic break (2-2-0).
Moore did not play in the Kings' previous game due to an illness, but was back at practice on Wednesday and should be ready for Thursday's game against the New York Islanders. The 30-year-old Moore tallied an assist in his most recent outing, but has had a down season offensively, with only 16 points (7G / 9A) through 47 games (0.34 PTS/GP). Coming into the 2025-26 season, Moore had 174 points (76G / 98A) in 293 games over the last three seasons (0.59 PTS/GP).
Kane is battling an illness, and his status for Wednesday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes is unclear. The 34-year-old Kane's name has circulated trade rumours, and with the trade deadline on Friday, he may have played his final game with the Canucks if he is unable to suit up on Wednesday. He has two points (2G / 0A) in his last three games and 27 points (11G / 16A) in 59 outings this season.
Kuemper did not suit up for the Kings' previous game due to illness, but was back at practice on Wednesday, suggesting he should be ready for Thursday's game against the New York Islanders. The 35-year-old Kuemper had an awful outing in his return from the Olympic break, allowing four goals on 15 shots (.733 SV%) in an 8-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, picking up on a poor stretch pre-stoppage, when he was riding a 10-game streak with seven losses (2-4-3) along with a dreadful 3.36 GAA and .864 SV%.
Polin has played three games for the Avalanche this season, but has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. The undrafted 26-year-old forward has 20 points (9G / 11A) in 39 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) this season.
Joseph suffered an upper-body injury in Monday's 6-1 loss to the Dallas Stars and will be sidelined for at least a week after surfacing on Injured Reserve. The 26-year-old defenseman is averaging 13:18 time-on-ice and has five points (1G / 4A) in 24 games this season. Victor Mancini will draw into the lineup as Joseph's replacement.
