Kulikov has not played since the second game of the season due to an upper-body injury, but is nearing a return after being a full participant at practice on Wednesday. The 35-year-old defenseman had 13 points (4G / 9A), 71 blocks, and 114 hits in 70 games last season.
Tkachuk concluded his participation at the Olympics with a Gold Medal victory for the USA on Sunday and is anticipating playing when the Senators return to action on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 26-year-old Tkachuk scored five points (3G / 2A) in six games at the Olympics and will look to carry that momentum back to Ottawa as they attempt to fight for a playoff spot for the remainder of the season. Before the Olympic break, Tkachuk was producing at an impressive rate, with 16 points (6G / 10A) in his last 12 games.
Beecher has been sidelined by an upper-body injury since January 3rd, but appears set to re-join the Flames lineup following the Olympic break. Since joining the Flames via waivers, Beecher has two assists in 19 games, giving him a total of three points (1G / 2A) in 25 games this season.
Lundell missed Finland's final preliminary game due to an illness, but he was back at practice on Tuesday and is expected to play on Wednesday. Lundell has picked up one goal in two Olympic games so far.
It looked like Markstrom may start on Friday, but Sweden ultimately went back to Filip Gustavsson, in what would turn out to be a loss to Finland. So Markstrom will make his tournament debut today vs. Slovakia, his first international start since last year's World Championships. He was 4-2-0 with a 2.14 GAA and .894 SV% in that tournament and is 15-13-1 with a 3.20 GAA and .882 SV% with the Devils this season.
At 37-years-old, Team Canada will give the veteran a breather on the second half of a back-to-back, inserting Seth Jarvis onto the fourth line. Expect Marchand to be back in the lineup on Sunday.
Schmid has been so-so for the Golden Knights this season, he's got a strong record at 16-6-6 but has a 2.53 GAA and league average .895 SV%. The last time he suited up for Team Switzerland was in the 2024 World Championships, where he was 3-0-0 with a dazzling 0.86 GAAm .946 SV% and one shutout. He'll be a busy man on Friday vs. Canada, as Switzerland unsparingly enter the game as massive underdogs.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, heading into their final game before the Olympic Break, the Panthers will undergo numerous lineup changes. Regulars Brad Marchand, Evan Rodrigues, and Aaron Ekblad will exit the lineup in favour of Luke Kunin, Jesper Boqvist, and Donovan Sebrango. The 29-year-old Ekblad is averaging 22:25 time-on-ice, recording 21 points (3G / 18A), 67 hits, and 88 blocks in 55 games this season.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, heading into their final game before the Olympic Break, the Panthers will undergo numerous lineup changes. Regulars Brad Marchand, Evan Rodrigues, and Aaron Ekblad will exit the lineup in favour of Luke Kunin, Jesper Boqvist, and Donovan Sebrango. Brad Marchand returned from a one-week absence in Florida's previous game and is likely just out for maintenance before he joins Team Canada at the Olympics. The 37-year-old Marchand is having an outstanding season, with 50 points (25G / 25A) in 46 games.
Hovorka is an undrafted Czech defenseman that has yet to play an NHL game. The 24-year-old Hovorka has spent the past two seasons in the AHL and has 10 points (2G / 8A) through 30 games with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) this season.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, heading into their final game before the Olympic Break, the Panthers will undergo numerous lineup changes. Regulars Brad Marchand, Evan Rodrigues, and Aaron Ekblad will exit the lineup in favour of Luke Kunin, Jesper Boqvist, and Donovan Sebrango. The 24-year-old Sebrango has not played in over three weeks and has two assists in 18 games this season.
Hovorka is an undrafted Czech defenseman that has yet to play an NHL game. The 24-year-old Hovorka has spent the past two seasons in the AHL and has 10 points (2G / 8A) through 30 games with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) this season.
Bjornfot only played 8:27 time-on-ice in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Boston Bruins and emerged on Injured Reserve on Thursday due to an undisclosed injury. The 24-year-old defenseman is averaging 11:20 time-on-ice and has three points (2G / 1A) in 10 games this season.
Nicolas Deslauriers will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators, allowing Hathaway to re-enter the lineup. The 34-year-old Hathaway scored 21 points (10G / 11A) in 67 games last season, but has just two points (1G / 1A) through 46 contests in 2025-26.
It's unclear when Vilmanis suffered the injury, but he managed to play just 2:35 of ice time before exiting the game for good. Vilmanis caused a stir earlier in the game when he was penalized for an illegal hit to the head of Bruins defenceman Charlie McAvoy. McAvoy left the game but was able to return for the start of the second period.
Marchand appears to be a surprise presence in Florida's lineup on Wednesday after taking full part in warmups. The Panthers previously said he was expected to miss Wednesday's game against his former team due to an undisclosed injury. The 37-year-old Marchand has been a key offensive contributor for the Panthers, scoring 50 points (25G / 25A) in 45 games
