Hayes missed the first 12 games of the season but is expected to play Saturday in Dallas. Hayes will provide a huge boost to the Flyers' middle-6 as well as their PK. Hayes had 12 goals and 19 assists (31 points) in 55 games a season ago.
Riikola will travel to Ottawa for Saturday's game and will likely play because Chad Ruhwedel and Marcus Pettersson are ineligible to travel to Canada.
Karlsson has missed the last six games while on the COVID-19 reserve list but should be back in the lineup on Saturday. With Karlsson back, Ryan Merkley was reassigned to the AHL.
Letang cleared COVID-19 protocol on Monday and was back on the ice for Wednesday's practice. Letang was back on the top-pair and top power-play unit in the practice session.
Crosby missed the first seven games of the season but made his season debut on Saturday. After testing positive for COVID-19, it looks like Crosby will come right back out of the lineup on Thursday. Jeff Carter cantered the top line in practice on Wednesday.
Carter has missed the last three games but will play Saturday vs. the Devils. With Sidney Crosby also returning to the lineup, Carter will be the second-line centre.
The Penguins listed Crosby as a game-time decision on Friday but announced he will play on Saturday morning. Crosby will centre the top line with Jake Guentzel and Evan Rodrigues.
