Necas has been out since January 2nd due to an upper-body injury but will return to the Hurricanes' lineup Friday vs. Detroit. The 25-year-old broke out with a 71 point campaign in 2022-23 but has failed to take another step forward this season with just nine goals and 26 points in 38 games prior to the injury.
Barre-Boulet will be the odd-man out on Thursday as Waltteri Merela will draw into the lineup. Barre-Boulet has six goals and three assists in 31 games this season.
Necas has been sidelined for the last five games due to an upper-body injury, but was a full participant at practice on Wednesday, skating alongside Jack Drury and Stefan Noesen. Before his injury, Necas was amid a dry spell, scoring only three points (0G / 3A) in his last eight games.
Blackwood helped the Sharks snap a 12-game losing skid last week when he saved 33 of 35 shots (.943 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens but followed that up by allowing five goals on 41 shots (.878 SV%) in a 5-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Sharks, on a fresh two-game losing streak, are +131 road underdogs against a Chicago Blackhawks club that has lost three straight, being outscored 7-3.
There is no timeline for a Landeskog return, and he was skating alone, but it was still encouraging to see him at the Avalanche practice facility on Thursday. Landeskog missed the entire 2022-23 regular season as he recovered from knee surgery and followed that up with a cartilage transplant in his right knee during the offseason. The 30-year-old has 571 points (248G/323A) and a +77 plus/minus across 738 career NHL games.
Blackwood was serviceable entering the Sharks' game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in relief on Tuesday, saving 22 of 25 shots (.880 SV%), but with the outcome already predetermined, there was very little he could do to help his squad avoid a defeating 7-1 fate. The Sharks have lost 12 straight (0-12-0), largely due to the Sharks' inability to score as they have been outscored 31-8 in their last seven games. That said, Blackwood hasn't been horrible lately, posting a .898 SV% in his last three games (0-2-0).
Sam Malinski drew into the lineup on Monday for Manson, who will be unavailable again for the Avalanche on Wednesday. Manson has been an effective contributor over the last couple of weeks with five points (3G / 2A), 18 shots on goal, and 24 hits in his last seven games.
Wedgewood received the night off on Monday after starting 11 consecutive games and watched Matt Murray record a shutout in a 4-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild in his fourth career NHL game. The Stars hope the rest helped Wedgewood reset as he was beginning to falter between the pipes, allowing four or more goals in four of his last five games (2-2-1), posting an abysmal .858 SV% after posting a more respectable .906 SV% in his previous six games (4-1-1). The Stars have a rematch against the Wild on Wednesday and are -186 home favourites.
Sam Malinski drew into the lineup on Monday for Manson, who will again be a game-time decision on Wednesday. Manson has been an effective contributor over the last couple of weeks with five points (3G / 2A), 18 shots on goal, and 24 hits in his last seven games.
Lehkonen participated in his first full practice on Monday after several weeks of wearing a non-contact jersey and could play on Colorado's upcoming road trip. Before his injury, Lehkonen had eight points (3G / 5A) in 12 games, averaging 18:30 time-on-ice, playing predominantly alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, including top powerplay deployment. Valeri Nischushkin has been the main benefactor, occupying Lehkonen's offensive deployment, scoring 32 points (18G / 14A) in 26 games since.
Malinski has had some success with the Avalanche earlier this season and will get another chance to showcase his talents as he was recalled on an emergency basis on Monday. In 14 games with the Avalanche, Malinski has five points (1G / 4A), 15 shots, and 15 blocks.
Polin has yet to play an NHL game after signing out of Western Michigan University last season. In 20 games with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL, Polin has two points (0G / 2A) and 19 penalty minutes.
Manson was a game-time decision on Monday due to an undisclosed injury. Manson has been an effective contributor over the last couple of weeks with five points (3G / 2A), 18 shots on goal, and 24 hits in his last seven games. Sam Malinski will draw into the lineup in his place.
Polin has yet to play an NHL game after signing out of Western Michigan University last season. In 20 games with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL, Polin has two points (0G / 2A) and 19 penalty minutes.
