Novak has not played since November 11th, battling an upper-body injury, but is expected to make his return on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before his injury, Novak had 12 points (6G/ 6A), averaged 16:02 time-on-ice, and played predominantly on a line with Kiefer Sherwood and Luke Evangelista.
Amidst a flurry of roster moves Wednesday Emil Bemstrom was recalled from Cleveland (AHL) and is expected to appear in the Blue Jackets game Thursday. The 24-year-old returns to the Blue Jackets for a second time this season having picking up three goals, four points, four PIMs and a -7 plus/minus through 12 NHL games.
Jarry will return to the Penguins' crease on Wednesday after Alex Nedeljkovic got the nod in Monday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Flyers. Jarry is in the midst of another strong season for the Penguins, registering a .918 SV% and a 2.47 GAA, though a lack of steady goal support has limited him to an 8-8-2 record. He draws another tough matchup on Wednesday with the Penguins being slight underdogs (+105) in Tampa Bay.
Jarry allowed three goals on 26 shots (.885 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday and will get the chance to redeem himself, starting his third consecutive game on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Despite only one victory in his last five games (1-3-1), Jarry has been solid, recording a .911 SV%, but has not received ample goal support, with the Penguins scoring two or fewer in each of those four losses. The Penguins are +113 road underdogs against the Lightning, who have lost two straight games, being outscored 7-2.
Rust was a full participant at practice on Tuesday and skated with the top powerplay unit. He will return to the lineup after a three-game absence. After a down 2022-23 campaign, was in the process of having a terrific rebound season, tallying 16 points (9G / 7A) in 17 games thus far.
Dumba did not play on Saturday but is expected to return to the Coyotes' lineup on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dumba has four points (2G / 2A) in 19 games this season and will likely play alongside Travis Dermott on the third defensive pair.
Despite a losing 1-2-0 record, Jarry has been tremendous over his last three games, saving 96 of 102 shots (.941 SV%), and will return to the create looking to continue his stellar play on Tuesday. The Penguins have lost four of their last six (2-4-0) after a five-game winning streak and are slight -104 road underdogs against a Nashville Predators team that is in the midst of their own season-best five-game winning streak.
Rust was a full participant at practice on Tuesday and skated with the top powerplay unit. Rust hasn't played the last three games, but after a down 2022-23 campaign, was in the process of having a terrific rebound season, tallying 16 points (9G / 7A) in 17 games thus far.
Aho exited Friday's contest against the Ottawa Senators with an upper-body injury and then did not play on Saturday and has subsequently been placed on injured reserve. Aho has four points (0G / 4A) and 26 blocks, averaging 14:11 time-on-ice and will miss at least one week.
Jarry will retake the crease Saturday vs. Toronto after backing up two of the Penguins' previous three games. The 28-year-old netminder is leading the NHL in shutouts (3) but has a weak record (6-8-0) despite impressive counting stats with his 2.47 GAA and .916 SV%. He will take the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are on the back end of a back-to-back where they lost to Chicago 4-3 in overtime Friday.
Aho exited the Islanders' previous game Friday vs. Ottawa after just 1:28 TOI and will be out Saturday vs. Philadelphia with no timetable for his return. The 27-year-old Swedish defensemen has yet to score this season but has four assists, 18 SOG, six PIMs and a -3 plus/minus in 19 games prior to his injury.
The Islanders lost both Aho and Adam Pelech on Friday, and both are questionable to play Saturday. Depending on their availability, the Islanders may be forced to make some roster moves in order to have six defensemen.
