Kulikov left the Penguins' previous game due to a lower-body injury after just 8:13 TOI and is now expected to be week-to-week as he recovers. The 32-year-old was acquired at the trade deadline for Pittsburgh and has a goal, 13 assists, 82 SOG, 30 PIMs and a -11 plus/minus through 65 games this season.
Kulikov left Sunday's game vs. the Rangers with a lower-body injury and did not return. Head coach Mike Sullivan did not have an update on his status, so consider him questionable to play Tuesday vs. the Canadiens.
Alscher has seven goals, 21 points, 63 PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through 54 games with the Portland Winterhawks (WHL) and has signed a three-year, entry-level deal with the Florida Panthers. The 18-year-old was a 2022 third-round pick (93rd overall) by the Panthers.
Tarasov was 4-5-0 with a .871 SV% and 4.07 GAA with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) and has been recalled to Columbus on an emergency basis Friday. The 23-year-old returns to Columbus where he was 2-9-1 with a .908 SV% and 3.28 GAA earlier in the season.
Bobrovsky stopped 31 of 32 shots (.969 SV%) for his third win in four games as he beat Vegas in his previous start. The 34-year-old has steadily improved his season numbers as of late and now has a respectable 20-17-2 record, 2.93 GAA and .907 SV%. He will face Chicago, who has lost five of their last six games after a 4-3 loss to Detroit last game and are last in the NHL in goals per game (2.48).
Bobrovsky stopped 31 of 32 shots (.969 SV%) for his third win in five games as he beat Pittsburgh easily in his previous start. The 34-year-old has posted a +.900 SV% in 10 of his last 11 starts, improving his season stats to a 19-17-2 record, 2.98 GAA and .906 SV%. He will try to snap the Vegas Golden Knights three-game winning streak that they achieved after a 4-3 win over Montreal last game.
Kulikov's numbers took an expected dip in Anaheim this season, as he's been relied on to eat heavy minutes on one of the worst teams in the NHL. He registered three goals and 12 assists and was a minus 15 in 61 games for the Ducks this season. Kulikov will welcome the change of scenery, and he's been a useful defenseman for more competitive teams in the past. He picked up 24 points and was a plus 23 for the Wild last season.
Barkov has missed the Panthers' previous three games due to a hand injury and is expected to return to the Panthers' lineup Saturday vs. Pittsburgh. The 27-year-old star has 16 goals, 50 points, 147 SOG, and a +4 plus/minus through 49 games this season.
Marchand suffered a lower-body injury in Thursday's game vs. the Sabres and did not return. It's unclear where Marchand suffered the injury but he was tangled up with Peyton Krebs at one point and was hit hard by Ilya Lyubushkin shortly after. He's registered 19 goals and 34 assists in 53 games this season.
Marchand suffered a lower-body injury in Thursday's game vs. the Sabres, and will not return. It's unclear where Marchand suffered the injury but he was tangled up with Peyton Krebs at one point and was hit hard by Ilya Lyubushkin shortly after. No matter how he suffered the injury, it comes on the heels of Taylor Hall going on LTIR and Nick Foligno going on IR.
Kulikov has three goals, 12 assists, 80 SOG, 30 PIMs and a -11 plus/minus through 61 games with Anaheim but will be held out of the lineup for the first time Wednesday due to trade-related reasons.
Bobrovsky allowed three goals on 33 shots (.909 SV%) for his second loss in three games as he was defeated by Buffalo in his last start. The 34-year-old will be called upon often with Spencer Knight (personal) now away from the team and will be hoping to improve his 17-16-2 record, 3.12 GAA and .902 SV%. He will face the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have lost four of their last six games but are fourth in the NHL in scoring (3.56).
Bennett has missed the Panthers' previous four games due to a lower-body injury and will miss Tuesday's game vs. Tampa Bay. The 26-year-old has 14 goals, 21 assists, 167 SOG, 52 PIMs and a -1 plus/minus through 56 games this season prior to the injury.
Barkov missed the Panthers' last game due to a hand injury and will now miss Tuesday's game vs. Tampa Bay as well. The 27-year-old has 16 goals, 34 assists, 147 SOG, and seven PIMs through 49 games played.
