Ristolainen has yet to appear in 2023-24 for the Flyers and will now be out indefinitely after he suffered a setback due to an undisclosed injury. The 28-year-old is in the second year of a five-year, $25.5 million contract ($5,100,000 AAV) and had three goals, 17 assists, 86 SOG, 32 PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through 74 games played in 2022-23.
Studnicka will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, paving the way for Nils Hoglander to make his return to the lineup. In four games, Studnicka has one point (1G / 0A) and four shots while averaging 8:27 time-on-ice per game.
Woll is quickly making his case to be the more reliable option in net for the Maple Leafs as he will start on Tuesday for the second time in their last four contests. Woll came in to relieve Ilya Samsonov on Saturday and saved all 29 shots he faced to help the Maple Leafs come from behind and win 4-3 in overtime against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In two games (1-1-0), Woll has an impressive 1.69 GAA and .949 SV%, completely outperforming his counterpart, Samsonov, who has an ugly 4.34 GAA and .831 SV% through four games (2-1-0). Samsonov and the Leafs will be facing off against a Washington Capitals that has been miserable offensively to start the season, averaging a league-worst 1.25 goals per game this season (1-2-1).
Vladar will make his second start of the season on Sunday after surrendering three goals on 27 shots in Thursday's 4-3 victory over the Sabres. It's a somewhat surprise start for Vladar, given that starter Jacob Markstrom enjoyed his best start of the season on Friday in a losing effort against the Blue Jackets. It appears there could be an opportunity for Vladar to earn some extra starts this season, but he'll need to improve on his consistency from a year ago if that's going to be the case. The 26-year-old netminder finished the 2022-23 season with an .894 SV% and a 2.87 GAA in 27 appearances with the Flames.
Acciari will be available to suit up on Saturday after not participating in practice for the Penguins on Thursday because of an upper-body injury. If Acciari draws into the lineup, he will likely center the fourth line with Matthew Nieto and Jeff Carter. He has zero points, five blocks, eight hits, and a -1 plus/minus rating through four games.
Benoit will be returned to the Marlies (AHL) where he will presumably see some playing time. The 25-year-old defenseman was called up by the Maple Leafs earlier this season but never found his way into the lineup. He had 10 points (3G / 7A) in 78 games with the Anaheim Ducks last season.
Drysdale is day-to-day after missing the Ducks' morning skate due to a lower-body injury and will not play Thursday vs. Dallas. The 21-year-old was off to a great start through two games this season, with two assists, three SOG and a +3 plus/minus. Drysdale will hope this is only a minor injury after missing 74 games in 2022-23 due to a torn labrum.
Acciari missed the Penguins' morning skate Thursday as he was being evaluated for an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day until Pittsburgh releases more information. The 31-year-old bruising winger was signed to a three-year, $6 million contract ($2,000,000 AAV) during the offseason and has yet to pick up a point through four games in 2023-24.
Vladar will make his first start of the season Thursday at Buffalo after going 14-6-5 with a .895 SV% and 2.91 GAA in 2022-23. He will be looking to get Calgary back in the win column after their dropped their previous two matchups to Pittsburgh and Washington. He faces the Buffalo Sabres on the road Thursday, who won their last game vs. Tampa Bay 3-2 in overtime and are 25th in the NHL in goals for (2.0).
Couturier missed the Flyers' practice Monday as he is banged up with an undisclosed injury but will return Tuesday as Philadelphia hosts Vancouver after being a game-time decision originally. The 30-year-old centre missed the entire 2022-23 season with a back injury but has been off to a solid start so far in 2023-24 with an assist, three SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus while averaging 20:19 TOI in two games. If he does play Tuesday, expect him to be atop both Philadelphia's top line and power play unit.
Couturier missed the Flyers' practice Monday as he is banged up with an undisclosed injury but is showing positive signs of returning Tuesday as Philadelphia hosts Vancouver. The 30-year-old centre missed the entire 2022-23 season with a back injury but has been off to a solid start so far in 2023-24 with an assist, three SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus while averaging 20:19 TOI in two games. If he does play Tuesday, expect him to be atop both Philadelphia's top line and power play unit.
Woll makes his season debut as the starter for the Maple Leafs on Monday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. As -333 home favourite, Woll and the Maple Leafs should have no issue securing a victory tonight. In 11 games at the NHL level over the past two seasons (9-2-0), Woll has amassed an impressive 2.38 GAA and .924 SV% along with one shutout. Despite winning their first two games, the Maple Leafs have struggled defensively (9 GA) but will look to shut things down against last year's 31st-placed Chicago Blackhawks.
Jiricek probably would have made the team out of training camp if he wasn't waiver exempt but because he was it was an easy decision to send him back to the AHL. With Zach Werenski out for at least one week, Jiricek was recalled and Eric Robinson was waived to make room for him. The 2022 No.6 overall pick had 38 points (6G / 32A) in 55 AHL games last season.
Aston-Reese was recently signed and started the season in Grand Rapids, where he was held off the scoresheet in his debut. He was recalled ahead of Saturday's game with Robby Fabbri out, but he is not expected to play vs. Tampa Bay.
Foerster was a healthy scratch in the Flyers' season opener but will replace Bobby Brink in the lineup on Saturday. Foerster figures to replace Brink on the Flyers' top line next to Sean Couturier. He made a strong impression a season ago, posting seven points (3G / 4A) in eight games with the Flyers.
Benoit has been sent down and recalled frequently, most likely as a paper transaction. He is expected to serve as the Maple Leafs' No.7/reserve defenseman for Saturday's game against the Wild.
