The Maple Leafs hope to tighten their defensive game, turning to Stolarz between the pipes on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 31-year-old Stolarz has yet to recapture his magic from the 2024-25 season, showcasing a pedestrian 3.01 GAA and .894 SV% in six outings (2-3-1). The Maple Leafs enter Friday's contest as -118 road favorites against a Sabres team that is outscoring their opposition 17-8 in their last four games (3-1-0).
Rielly showed no signs of an injury in Toronto's most recent game, playing a season-high 24:30 time-on-ice, but was absent from practice on Thursday, and will not play on Friday. The 31-year-old Rielly is off to an impressive offensive start to the season, scoring six points (2G / 4A) in seven games.
Rielly showed no signs of an injury in Toronto's most recent game, playing a season-high 24:30 time-on-ice, but was absent from practice on Thursday. The 31-year-old Rielly is off to an impressive offensive start to the season, scoring six points (2G / 4A) in seven games.
With Chris Tanev (upper body) placed on Injured Reserve, the Maple Leafs have recalled Mermis from the AHL. The 31-year-old Mermis is no stranger to the NHL, with 13 points (4G / 9A) in 78 career games.
Tanev was limited to only 5:57 time-on-ice in Toronto's 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, exiting the contest due to an upper-body injury. The 35-year-old Tanev has one point (0G / 1A) and eight blocks through seven games this season. He will be out of the lineup for at least two games after being placed on Injured Reserve.
The Panthers snapped a four-game losing skid in their most recent outing, improving to 4-4-0 on the season, and will roll with Bobrovsky between the pipes on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Despite a pedestrian start to the 2025-26 season by the Panthers, they have received excellent goaltending from Bobrovsky. The 37-year-old Bobrovsky is showcasing a solid 2.19 GAA and .914 SV% through six games (4-2-0). The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as -189 home favorites against a Penguins team off to a surprising 5-2-0 start.
Tanev was limited to only 5:57 time-on-ice in Toronto's 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, exiting the contest due to an upper-body injury. The 35-year-old Tanev has one point (0G / 1A) and eight blocks through seven games this season. It seems unlikely that he will play in either of Toronto's games this weekend.
Stecher has played four of six games for the Oilers this season, but will return to the sidelines on Tuesday as a healthy scratch against the Ottawa Senators. The 31-year-old Stecher is exiting the lineup to accommodate the season debut of Jake Walman (undisclosed).
Blankenburg made his season debut in Nashville's most recent game, recording a +1 plus/minus in 12:04 time-on-ice. The 27-year-old Blankenburg played a career-high 60 games with Nashville last season and recorded 16 points (4G / 12A).
The Blue Jackets have had an up-and-down start to the 2025-26 season, showcasing a 2-3-0 record, and will turn to Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. Merzlikins has been adequate when called upon, posting a 3.54 GAA and .920 SV%. He has been splitting time in the Blue Jackets' crease with Jet Greaves and will likely continue to do so until one of them pulls away with momentum. The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +168 road underdogs against a Stars team amid a two-game losing skid.
The reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers picked up where they left off in the playoffs, winning three straight to start the 2025-26 season, but have since lost four straight and hope to rebound against the Boston Bruins. Despite the team's struggles, Bobrovsky has remained diligent between the pipes and will return to the crease on Tuesday. The 37-year-old netminder has a solid 2.02 GAA and .917 SV% in five games (3-2-0). The Panthers enter Tuesday's contest as -149 road favorites against a Bruins team also trying to escape a four-game losing skid.
Blueger scored a goal in Vancouver's 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals on Sunday, but also suffered an undisclosed injury and is unlikely to play on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 31-year-old Blueger had 26 points (8G / 18A) in 82 games last season.
Cowan drew into Toronto's lineup for his NHL debut in their third game of the season, playing four straight, but will head to the press box as a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. The 20-year-old forward has one point (0G / 1A) in four games. Calle Jarnkrok will draw into the lineup as Cowan's replacement.
Stolarz allowed four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-3 overtime loss to the Seattle Kraken, and expressed frustration with the Maple Leafs' team performance following the game. The 31-year-old Stolarz has yet to recapture his magic from the 2024-25 season, showcasing a pedestrian 2.79 GAA and .897 SV% in five games (2-2-1) in 2025-26. Stolarz and the Maple Leafs hope to rebound on Tuesday, entering the contest as -113 home favorites against a New Jersey Devils team riding a four-game winning streak (4-0-0).
Blueger scored a goal in Vancouver's 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals on Sunday, but also suffered an undisclosed injury and is unlikely to play on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 31-year-old Blueger had 26 points (8G / 18A) in 82 games last season.
Bobrovsky allowed two goals on 23 shots in the Panthers' 4-1 loss in Detroit on Wednesday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak to start the season for Bobrovsky, who now holds a .922 SV% through four starts. Bobrovsky and the Panthers are -145 road favourites in Buffalo.
