Ovechkin missed the final game before the All-Star break but has cleared COVID-19 protocol and is expected to play Tuesday vs. the Blue Jackets. However, he will not be eligible to travel to Montreal for Thursday's game.
Ovechkin will miss Wednesday's game vs. the Oilers and will also be forced to miss the All-Star Game this weekend. Aliaksei Protas will likely draw into the lineup to replace him.
Thompson has spent most of the season in the AHL, where he is 11-7-3 with a 2.62 GAA and .928 SV% in 21 games. Thompson appeared in one game with Vegas, stopping 23 of the 26 shots he faced in a loss to Nashville.
Strome has missed the last three games while in COVID-19 protocol but will likely play in the Blackhawks' back-to-back on Friday and Saturday. Strome skated on the top line with Patrick Kane and Brandon Hagel in Thursday's practice.
Chychrun has not played since December 10th, as he's been sidelined by an upper-body injury and COVID-19 protocol. Head coach Andre Tourigny said that one of Chychrun or Kyle Capobianco will be back in the lineup on Wednesday but that both are game-time decisions.
Holl was one of three players added to the COVID-19 protocol list and will not be available on Saturday. Timothy Liljegren is expected to be back in the lineup to replace Holl.
The Sabres placed three more players in COVID-19 protocol, bringing their total to five players ahead of their game Thursday vs. the Sharks. With Tuch out, the Sabres are expected to reunite Jeff Skinner, Tage Thompson and Victor Olofsson.
Fehervary missed the last three games while in COVID-19 protocol but was on the ice for Tuesday's practice and should play Friday in St. Louis.
Sandin has not played since December 5th due to a knee injury but was also placed on the COVID-19 protocol list during that time. Sandin will be back on the Maple Leafs blueline and second power-play unit vs. the Senators and has eight assists and a plus-5 rating in 25 games this season.
