Vatrano has not played since the end of December, but could return to the lineup on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 31-year-old Vatrano has scored over 20 goals in each of his past three seasons, but has struggled to produce in 2025-26, with only six points (3G / 3A) through 38 games.
Terry recorded an assist in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Edmonton Oilers, but was limited to only 13:52 time-on-ice, due to an upper-body injury and is uncertain for Friday's game against the Winnipeg Jets. The 28-year-old Terry has battled a string of injuries this season, but has been extremely productive when healthy, scoring 45 points (13G / 32A) in 46 games.
Thomas did not play on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken due to a personal matter, but could suit up on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. The 26-year-old Thomas has been a point-per-game player over the past four seasons, but has not been able to maintain that pace in 2025-26, with only 33 points (11G / 22A) through 42 games for a struggling Blues team. That said, he had nine points (4G / 5A) in 10 games leading into the Olympic break.
Vejmelka struggled in his return from the Olympic break on Wednesday, allowing four goals on 26 shots (.846 SV%) in a 4-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, and hopes to rebound on Friday against the Minnesota Wild. The 29-year-old Vejmelka was on an outstanding run heading into the Olympic break, winning 10 of 13 shots (10-3-0) while posting a solid 2.20 GAA and .919 SV%. The Mammoth enter Friday's contest as -131 home favourites against a Wild team coming off an impressive 5-2 win over the Avalanche last night.
Girarg was acquired in a trade from the Colorado Avalanche earlier this week and made his Penguins debut on Thursday, recording one shot on goal in 17:53 time-on-ice in a 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils. That said, he was absent from practice on Friday due to a lower-body injury, and it is unclear what his status will be for Saturday afternoon's game against the New York Rangers.
Theodore scored two points (1G/1A) in six games during Team Canada's Silver Medal performance at the Olympics and will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals after having the night off in their previous game. Despite Vegas running a five-forward powerplay unit for most of the season, Theodore has remained productive, with 27 points (7G / 20A) through 46 games.
Hanifin scored three points (1G / 2A) in six games while representing Team USA at the Olympics and will return to Vegas' lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals after having the night off in their previous game. The 29-year-old Hanifin's offensive production has been negatively affected by Vegas's deep blue line this season and has been limited to only 20 points (2G / 18A) through 47 games.
Marner had five points (1G / 4A) for Team Canada in six games during their Silver Medal performance and will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals after having the night off in Vegas' previous game. The 28-year-old Marner is having an effective first season in Vegas, with 58 points (16G / 42A) through 57 games. He had six points (2G / 4A) during a five-game point streak heading into the Olympic break.
Marner had five points (1G / 4A) for Team Canada in six games during their Silver Medal performance and will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals after having the night off in Vegas' previous game. The 28-year-old Marner is having an effective first season in Vegas, with 58 points (16G / 42A) through 57 games. He had six points (2G / 4A) during a five-game point streak heading into the Olympic break.
Eichel scored six points (2G / 4A) in six games while representing Team USA during their Gold Medal performance at the Olympics and will return to Vegas' lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals after having the night off in their previous game. The 29-year-old Eichel is producing at a career-best rate this season, with 68 points (21G / 47A) through 50 games.
Schmid has been the most consistent netminder for the Golden Knights this season, and he will return to the crease on Friday against the Washington Capitals. Heading into the Olympic break, the 25-year-old Schmid had wins in five of his last eight games (5-2-1), posting a 2.55 GAA and .898 SV%. The Golden Knights enter Friday's contest as slight +104 road underdogs against a Capitals team coming off a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Benson missed Buffalo's last few games heading into the Olympic Break due to an upper-body injury, but he could return on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 20-year-old Benson has had a productive season when healthy, scoring 26 points (7G / 19A) in 42 games. He had a career-high 30 points (11G / 19A) in his rookie season, playing 71 games in 2023-24.
Lapierre had a solid showing in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, recording an assist in 8:51 time-on-ice, but he will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 24-year-old Lapierre is averaging 8:28 time-on-ice and has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 57 games this season.
With Jeremy Swayman returning from his stint with Team USA at the Olympics, DiPietro will return to the AHL after a brief one-game stint as Joonas Korpisalo's backup. The 26-year-old DiPietro is having a marvelous season in the AHL with Providence, posting a dazzling 1.76 GAA and .938 SV% in 30 games (22-6-0).
The Sabres have had success alternating goalies this season, and, with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) back from an injury, it appears they will return to that trend, with Lyon tending the twine on Friday against the Florida Panthers. The 33-year-old Lyon was excellent heading into the break, posting a tremendous 2.24 GAA and .925 SV% in 14 appearances (11-2-0), pushing his team into a playoff spot. The Sabres enter the action on Friday as slight -100 home underdogs against a Panthers team that played last night and defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1.
Carlson suffered a lower-body injury in Washington's final game before the Olympic break on February 6th. He did not play in Washington's first game back from the break and will miss at least two more contests. The 36-year-old Carlson has seen significantly less powerplay deployment this season, taking a backseat to Jakob Chychrun, but has remained productive, with an impressive 46 points (10G / 36A) through 55 games.
Lindgren will return to the crease for the first time since the Olympic break on Saturday to tend the twine against his former team, the Montreal Canadiens. The 32-year-old Lindgren was struggling heading into the break, allowing three or more goals in eight straight games (3-3-2), posting a 3.86 GAA and .875 SV%. He allowed four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%) in his only meeting with Montreal this season, but salvaged an 8-4 victory.
Kaliyev was a second-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, but has been unable to establish himself at the NHL level. That said, the 24-year-old forward has been extremely effective in the AHL this season, scoring 50 points (30G / 20A) in 52 games with Belleville.
Thompson was excellent in his return from the Olympic break, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%), and hopes to build on that when he returns to the crease on Friday against his former team, the Vegas Golden Knights. The 29-year-old Thompson has faced the Golden Knights twice in his career and has played exceptionally in those games (2-0-0), posting a 2.01 GAA and .941 SV%. The Capitals enter Friday's contest as -114 home favourites against a Golden Knights team that erupted for six goals in its previous game, a 6-4 win over the Los Angeles Kings.
