Girard is a surprise scratch for Monday's game against the Predators, presumably due to an undisclosed injury. Girard has one goal and three assists across 15 games with the Avalanche this season. Josh Manson (upper-body) makes his return to the Avalanche lineup in place of Girard.
Lizotte will not play on Monday due to an undisclosed injury that will force him to miss approximately a little more than a week. Lizotte has been a regular in the Kings lineup, tallying seven points (4G / 3A) in 16 games, playing predominantly alongside Trevor Lewis and Carl Grundstrom. Jaret Anderson-Dolan will draw back into the Kings' lineup during Lizotte's absence.
Harvey-Pinard did not play the last two games for the Canadiens, has been placed on the injured reserve, and will not travel on the team's upcoming California road trip, meaning he will miss at least the next three games. Before his injury, Pinard was held without a point in his last four games, racking up two shots on goals, averaging 10:22 time-on-ice.
Skinner will look for his fourth consecutive win Saturday after he beat Seattle stopping 32 of 25 shots (.914 SV%) in his previous start. The 25-year-old was an All-Star last season but has struggled out of the gate in 2023-24, with his 4-5-1 record, 3.23 GAA, and .880 SV%. He will face Tampa Bay on the road Saturday, who broke a three-game losing streak with a victory their last time out and are 12th in the NHL in goals per game (3.35).
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.
Bemstrom has cleared waivers and will join the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. He had four points (3G / 1A) and a -7 plus/minus rating while averaging 13:45 time-on-ice through 12 games with the Blue Jackets this season.
Malkin did not practice on Wednesday due to an illness but will be available for the Penguins on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 37-year-old has yet to lose a step, tallying 17 points (8G / 9A) while playing an average of 17:56 through 14 games this season, predominantly alongside Rickard Rakell and Reilly Smith.
Harvey-Pinard appears to be inching closer to a return but will remain out of the Canadiens' lineup on Thursday. Harvey-Pinard will have missed four of the Canadiens' last seven games due to a lower-body injury. The 24-year-old has yet to score this season but has four assists, 11 SOG, and two PIMs in 13 games.
Girard missed Colorado's previous game due to an undisclosed injury but is expected to return to the Avalanche lineup Wednesday vs. Anaheim. The 25-year-old defensemen is in his seventh NHL season and has an assist, 13 SOG, and a -8 plus/minus through 13 games played so far this season.
Bemstrom has only played two of the last six games for the Blue Jackets and after being held without a point and posting a -2 plus/minus rating, has been placed on unconditional waivers. He has four points (3G / 1A) and a -7 plus/minus rating while averaging 13:45 time-on-ice through 12 games this season.
Malkin's availability for Thursday's contest against the New Jersey Devils will be determined closer to game time as he did not practice on Wednesday due to an illness. The 37-year-old has yet to lose a step, tallying 17 points (8G / 9A) while playing an average of 17:56 through 14 games this season, predominantly alongside Rickard Rakell and Reilly Smith.
Skinner is coming off consecutive quality starts for the first time this season and will look to stretch his streak to three games on Wednesday. In his last two games (2-0-0), Skinner has saved 49 of 51 shots (.961 SV%), including saving 17 of 18 (.944 SV%) against Wednesday's opponent, the Seattle Kraken. The Oilers are in the midst of their first two-game winning streak of the season and have outscored their opposition 8-2. They will hope to continue their success under new head coach Kris Knoblauch as -182 home favourites against a Kraken team that has been outscored 9-2 in their last two outings (0-2-0).
Jones played sensational in his one game showing with the Avalanche after he picked up an assist and +1 plus/minus in 15:42 TOI in his debut Monday but will head back to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) Tuesday. The 26-year-old will be called upon for depth when needed but for now returns to the minors where he had six assists, and eight PIMs in 12 games prior to his call up.
Novak's absence for the next four to six weeks will be a huge blow to the Predators as he ranked second on the team with 12 points (6G / 6A) in 14 games. Novak was a regular contributor to the Predators' top powerplay unit while regularly playing in the top six at even strength. Cody Glass will likely see his duties elevator while Novak is unavailable to play.
Bemstrom has only played once in the last five games for the Blue Jackets but will draw back in on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Bemmstrom will suit up on a line with Johnny Gaudreau and Cole Sillinger. In 11 games this season, Bemmstrom has four points (3G / 1A), 19 shots, and a -5 plus/minus rating.
Jones was a surprise addition to Colorado's lineup on Monday after Josh Manson and Samuel Girard were announced as scratches shortly before puck drop. Jones registered four goals and 12 assists in 73 games with the Blackhawks last season.
There was no indication from the team that Girard was in danger of missing Monday's game prior to the Roster Report being finalized shortly before puck drop. The 25-year-old defenseman has registered no goals and one assist in 13 games this season.
