In Brown's four games before his injury, he was averaging 2.25 shots per game, a vast improvement over the 0.80 he was averaging in the five games prior, and perhaps a sign that he is re-finding his game. Brown, who has yet to record a point through nine games this season, skated at practice alongside Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins at practice on Friday.
Hughes last played on November 3rd when he fell awkwardly into the boards but appears ready to return to action on Saturday after being a full participant at practice on Friday. This would mark approximately two weeks since Hughes last played, the low end of his initial two-to-four-week timeline. Before his injury, Hughes led the league with 20 points (5G / 15A) in 10 games and is expected to retake his place on the Devils' top line and top powerplay unit.
Mantha is expected to return to the lineup after last playing on November 8th, when he scored two goals, playing 12:58 against the Florida Panthers. In 10 games this season, Mantha has been held without a point in eight, totalling four points (2G / 2A). In addition to his lack of production, Mantha is averaging only 12:43 time-on-ice per game, nearly two minutes less than last season, his lowest total since his rookie campaign with the Detroit Red Wings in 2015-16.
Meier was "banged up" in Tuesday's game against the Winnipeg Jets and was a game-time decision on Thursday. Meier's absence would be a huge blow for a New Jersey Devils team that has lost three straight (0-3-0) and is already without Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. After a slow start to the season, Meier has 11 points (5G / 6A) and has fired 38 shots on goal in his last 11 games.
Meier was "banged up" in Tuesday's game against the Winnipeg Jets and will be a game-time decision on Thursday. Meier's absence would be a huge blow for a New Jersey Devils team that has lost three straight (0-3-0) and is already without Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. After a slow start to the season, Meier has 11 points (5G / 6A) and has fired 38 shots on goal in his last 11 games.
With the news that Juuso Valimaki is expected to miss an extended period with an upper-body injury, the Coyotes have opted to recall Kolyachonok from the Tuscon Roadrunners of the AHL. In 11 games with the Roadrunners, Kolyachonok has three points (2G / 1A) and a +5 plus/minus rating. He was the 52nd overall pick of the Florida Panthers in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
Allen will return to the Canadiens' crease on Sunday after suffering through his worst start of the season on Tuesday against the Lightning. Allen allowed four goals on just nine shots before being lifted in favour of Sam Montembeault. Despite the abysmal start, Allen still owns a respectable .910 SV%, a 3.35 GAA , and a 3-2-1 record across six starts on the season. He draws a difficult home matchup on Sunday with the Canadiens being a +130 underdog against the Canucks.
Allen will return to the Canadiens' crease on Sunday after suffering through his worst start of the season on Tuesday against the Lightning. Allen allowed four goals on just nine shots before being lifted in favour of Sam Montembeault. Despite the abysmal start, Allen still owns a respectable .910 SV%, a 3.35 GAA , and a 3-2-1 record across six starts on the season. He draws a difficult home matchup on Sunday with the Canadiens being a +130 underdog against the Canucks.
Pesce has missed the Hurricanes' previous eight games due to a lower-body injury and was a game-time decision Friday as the team heads to Florida. The 28-year-old will make a welcome return to the lineup as he's averaged at least 21:42 TOI in each of the last four seasons and has a goal, an assist, seven SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through five games prior to the injury.
Mantha scored two goals in the Capitals' previous game vs. Florida but was forced to leave after 12:58 TOI due to an upper-body injury and has been placed on the injured reserve Friday. The 29-year-old right-winger has started off slow yet again in 2023-24, with his three goals, one assist, 12 SOG, four PIMs and a +1 plus/minus in 10 games played.
Brown has missed the Oilers' last two games due to a soft-tissue injury and is still considered day-to-day even though he skated Thursday. The 29-year-old signed a one-year, $4 million contract in the offseason but has been a massive disappointment as he is yet to collect a point through nine games but has 13 SOG, and a -5 plus/minus.
Tufte is expected to play his second game of the season for the Avalanche on Thursday when they take on the Seattle Kraken. In his only game this season, Tufte was held without a point but took four shots on goal in 11:28 time-on-ice.
Pesce has missed the Hurricanes' previous eight games due to a lower-body injury but will be a game-time decision Friday as the team heads to Florida. The 28-year-old will make a welcome return to the lineup as he's averaged at least 21:42 TOI in each of the last four seasons and has a goal, an assist, seven SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through five games prior to the injury.
Mantha is coming off his best performance of the season, scoring two goals but exiting in the third period after suffering an upper-body injury. He will miss at least the next two games and could be replaced by Michael Sgarbossa, who was recalled by the Capitals earlier in the week.
Valeri Nichushkin did not practice with the Avalanche on Wednesday as he was away from the team for the birth of his child. He has not been ruled out of Thursday's game against the Settle Kraken but if he is unable to go, look for Tufte to slot into the lineup. In his only game this season, Tufte recorded zero points and four shots in 11:28 time-on-ice.
The Habs number-one netminder will return to the crease on Tuesday after Sam Montembeault got the call against the Blues on Saturday. Allen has enjoyed an incredibly hot start to the season, registering a .927 SV% and a 2.72 GAA along with a 3-1-1 record across his first five starts. He'll be looking to get back in the win column tonight after suffering a defeat in Arizona on Thursday despite surrendering just three goals on 35 shots (.914 SV%). Allen and the Habs are fortunate to catch the Lightning on the tail-end of a back-to-back, but they are still slight underdogs at +110.
Pesce, who has missed the Hurricanes' last seven games with a lower-body injury, participated at practice on Monday in a non-contact jersey. His presence at practice is an encouraging sign for the Hurricanes, though his actual return to the lineup will be dependent on when he is cleared for contact. Pesce has two points (1G / 1A) in five games this season.
Hughes suffered an upper-body injury during Friday's loss in St. Louis after crashing into the end-boards in the first period. As previously reported, Hughes avoided the worst-case scenario but is still expected to miss time. While meeting with the media on Sunday, head coach Lindy Ruff called Hughes week-to-week. Expect Dawson Mercer to centre the Devils' top line with both Hughes and Nico HIschier out.
