Kahkonen did not play in Saturday's 4-1 home loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs but will tend the twine on Tuesday in a rematch in Toronto. The Sharks are riding an 11-game losing streak, failing to record a point in each contest (0-11-0), and, as such, are sizeable +379 road favourites against the Maple Leafs, who have won three straight, outscoring their competition 9-2.
Vanecek has served as the backup to Nico Daws in two of the last three games, both wins for the Devils, but will return to the crease on Friday evening. Before allowing five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins in his last outings, Vanecek won two straight games, saving 48 of 53 shots in the process (.906 SV%). Vanecek and the Devils are overwhelming -432 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks club that has lost four straight, being outscored 15-2 in their last three (0-3-0).
Samoskevich played three games with the Panthers earlier this season, being held off the scoresheet, but has spent most of the season with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, tallying 22 points (9G / 13A) in 27 games. Samoskevich was the 24th overall pick of the Panthers in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
Vanecek has served as the backup to Nico Daws in two of the last three games, both wins for the Devils, but will likely return to the crease on Friday evening. Before allowing five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins in his last outings, Vanecek won two straight games, saving 48 of 53 shots in the process (.906 SV%). Vanecek and the Devils are overwhelming -432 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks club that has lost four straight, being outscored 15-2 in their last three (0-3-0).
Rodrigues left after blocking a shot with his lower leg and did not return. In addition to Rodrigues, the Panthers also lost Aleksander Barkov in the first period, so they could be short-handed for Saturday's game in Colorado. Head coach Paul Maurice said he expects to have an update on Rodrigues on Friday.
Barkov took an elbow up high from Alec Martinez in the first period of Thursday's 4-1 win in Vegas. Barkov left after playing just 4:54 TOI and did not return to the game. In addition to Barkov, the Panthers also lost Evan Rodrigues in the game, which could leave them shorthanded up-front for Saturday's game in Colorado. Head coach Paul Maurice said he expects to have an update on Barkov on Friday.
Gadjovich has found himself the odd man out of the Panthers' lineup for 11 straight games due to illness and lack of roster room but will draw back in Thursday as he replaced Nick Cousins (concussion). The 25-year-old bruising left-winger has failed to pick up a goal in nine games this season, but has an assist, 43 PIMs, 10 SOG and a -2 plus/minus.
Bobrovsky will search for his fifth straight win when he returns to the crease on Thursday evening. The 35-year-old Bobrovsky is playing his best hockey of the season, posting a .930 SV% over his last six games (5-1-0). The Panthers, winners of five straight, are slight -115 road favourites over a Vegas Golden Knights team they defeated 4-2 less than two weeks ago.
Bjornfot has only played one NHL game this season, the season-opener for the Kings, recording one block in 10:12 time-on-ice. He was been placed on unconditional waivers and claimed by the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday.
Louis Crevier will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Megna to make his Blackhawks debut after being claimed off of waivers from the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday. Megna has spent most of the season in the press box for the Kraken, being limited to only two games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, scoring one point (1G / 0A). He has 141 NHL games under his belt, tallying 25 points (4G / 21A) in time split between the Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, and Seattle.
Balinskis made his NHL debut in 2023-24 with Florida after three seasons in the Czechia pro league and was rewarded Wednesday with a two-year, $1.7 million ($850,000) contract extension. The 27-year-old has managed to pick up a goal, an assist, 18 SOG, and six PIMs in 18 games played in his first season in Florida.
