Tkachuk has not played since the second game of the season on October 10th, missing five contests, but appears to be on schedule for his targeted return date of October 22nd. Over the past three seasons, Tkachuk has been among the league leaders in the NHL, averaging 1.25 points per game. He has two points (0G / 2A) and seven shots on goal in two games this season.
Through three games this season, the Sharks have alternated between Vanecek and Mackenzie Blackwood between the pipes, a trend that will continue on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks when Vanecek occupies the crease. Despite a 2-0 losing effort, Vanecek was terrific in his only start this season, saving 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) against the Anaheim Ducks. The Sharks enter action on Thursday as +163 road underdogs against a Blackhawks club that has only scored nine times in their first four games (1-2-1).
The Panthers have turned to Spencer Knight in two of the last three games but will return to Bobrovsky between the crease on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. Bobrovsky hasn't risen to full potential yet this season but has managed a 2-1-0 record with a 3.02 GAA and .894 SV%. The Panthers, still without Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, enter Thursday's contest as slight -109 home favorites against the Canucks.
Puljujarvi could draw into the Penguins lineup in favor of Rutger McGroarty on Monday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 26-year-old Puljujarvi has draw into the Penguins' lineup for two of three games this season and has one point (0G / 1A) and three shots on goal while averaging 12:29 time-on-ice.
The Panthers' head coach Paul Maurice reported that Tkachuk is battling an illness and targeting a return on October 22nd against the Minnesota Wild. Over the past three seasons, Tkachuk has been among the league leaders in the NHL, averaging 1.25 points per game. Florida's top line is nearly completely decimated for the time being as they are also without Aleksander Barkov (lower-body). Sam Bennett and Evan Rodrigues will likely be the beneficiaries on the top line and top powerplay unit in the interim.
The Panthers will turn to Bobrovsky in the crease on Monday afternoon in an early-season rematch of their season opener, less than a week ago, against the Boston Bruins. Bobrovsky allowed four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%) in their 6-4 win over the Bruins and has historically struggled against them, posting a 3.64 GAA and .890 SV% in 22 career appearances (5-11-4). Without Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, the Panthers enter action as +128 road underdogs against the Bruins.
Tkachuk's illness comes at a tough time, as the Panthers will also be without Aleksander Barkov (lower-body) on Saturday. With Tkachuk out, Eetu Luostarinen will move up into the top-6 on Saturday. Consider Tkachuk day-to-day and questionable to play Monday in Boston.
Barkov had to be helped off the ice at the end of Thursday's loss in Ottawa after crashing leg-first into the end boards. All things considered, this is good news for the Panthers but they'll be extremely shorthanded on Saturday with Matthew Tkachuk (illness) also sidelined. Anton Lundell should take on a much larger role while Barkov is out. Expect Barkov to miss roughly 10 games.
The Avalanche have added some depth to their goaltending position behind Alexandar Georgiev and Justus Annunen by claiming Kahkonen from the Winnipeg Jets. Kahkonen had a poor 2023-24 campaign split between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, posting a 3.64 GAA and .898 SV%, but could get an opportunity at the crease in Colorado if Georgiev and Annunen are unable to provide consistent efforts.
Barkov suffered the injury late in the third period of Thursday's game after falling feet first into the boards and appeared to be unable to put any weight on his right leg while being helped off the ice. We can expect to get an update on the injury prior to Florida's game in Buffalo on Saturday.
Schmidt was a healthy scratch in the season opener for the Panthers but will draw into the lineup with Adam Boqvist temporarily sidelined due to an upper-body injury. Schmidt had 14 points (2G / 12A) in 63 games while also racking up 66 hits and 76 blocked shots in the 2023-24 season.
Bobrovsky was unspectacular in the Panthers' season-opening 6-4 win over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday but was good enough to secure the victory, saving 24 of 28 shots (.857 SV%). The 36-year-old Bobrovsky is coming off his best season in nearly a decade, finishing third in Vezina-trophy voting and posting a solid 2.37 GAA and .915 SV% in 58 games (36-17-4). Bobrovsky will return to the crease for the Panthers on Thursday in a matchup against the Ottawa Senators, where they are -133 road favorites.
Entwistle was a member of the Chicago Blackhawks for the first four seasons of his NHL career and will likely begin his 2024-25 campaign with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) after being sent down on Wednesday. In 193 career games, all with the Blackhawks, Entwistle has 35 points (15G / 20A).
