Kulikov was limited to only 7:47 time-on-ice before exiting last Thursday's contest against the Philadelphia Flyers. His long-term absence is the latest in a list of lineup-regulars the Panthers will be without for the foreseeable future.

Three games into the Blues' season, head coach Jim Montgomery has alternated goalies, a trend that will continue on Wednesday with Hofer tending the twine. When Montgomery was the head coach of the Boston Bruins, he followed a similar tactic, regularly alternating starts between Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark, but it's unclear whether that will be his long-term approach in the 2025-26 season with the Blues. Hofer was solid in his only start this season, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames.

Linus Ullmark has started Ottawa's first three games this season (1-2-0), but he will get the night off on Wednesday when Merilainen tends the twine for the first time this season. The 23-year-old Merilainen was excellent in limited action last season, posting a 1.99 GAA and .925 SV% in 12 appearances (8-3-1). Entering the 2025-26 season as the Senators' undisputed backup, the Finnish netminder should have no problem passing his career-high 11 starts from a season ago. The Senators enter Wednesday's action as -117 road favorites against a frustrated 0-3-0 Buffalo Sabres team that has been outscored 10-2.

Three games into the Blues' season, head coach Jim Montgomery has alternated goalies, a trend that will continue on Wednesday with Hofer tending the twine. When Montgomery was the head coach of the Boston Bruins, he followed a similar tactic, regularly alternating starts between Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark, but it's unclear whether that will be his long-term approach in the 2025-26 season with the Blues. Hofer was solid in his only start this season, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames.

Sorokin gave up four goals on 25 shots in the Islanders loss to the Jets on Monday. He was giving Thursday night off and David Rittich turned in an excellent performance, but they will go back to Sorokin this afternoon in Ottawa. Sorokin has allowed four goals in all three of his starts this season, going 0-3-0 with a 4.18 GAA and .854 SV%.

The winless Islanders (0-3-0) will hope for a better result on Thursday, turning to Rittich for his Islanders debut season in a meeting with the Edmonton Oilers. The 33-year-old Rittich was serviceable in two seasons as the Los Angeles Kings' backup goalie, posting a 2.55 GAA and .902 SV% in 58 combined games (29-20-5). Rittich has played reasonably well in his career against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, posting a 2.68 GAA and .906 SV% in 14 appearances (5-5-1).

With Miles Wood (upper body) out of the lineup for at least a week, Chinakhov will draw in and make his season debut on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 24-year-old Chinakhov scored 15 points (7G / 8A) in 30 games last season. The talented forward had a season-opening stint with 14 points (7G / 7A) in his first 21 games last season, but has lacked consistent production.

In Monday's game against the New Jersey Devils, an errant stick of defenseman Dougie Hamilton cut Wood's face. Wood left for repairs after only 1:17 time-on-ice and did not return. The 30-year-old Wood has one goal through three games this season.

Gibson had a poor debut in Detroit's season-opening matchup, allowing five goals on 13 shots (.615 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, prompting a goalie change in their next three games, in which the team went undefeated (3-0-0) courtesy of strong play from veteran goalie Cam Talbot. That said, Gibson will be back between the pipes on Friday, looking to rebound against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 32-year-old Gibson has battled injuries over his career but played well when called upon in his final season with the Anaheim Ducks in 2024-25, posting a 2.77 GAA and .911 SV% in 29 outings (11-11-2). The Red Wings enter Friday's contest as +128 home underdogs against a Lightning team off to a disappointing 1-2-1 start in 2025-26.

Foligno has opted for a personal leave of absence to be with his daughter, who will be undergoing follow-up surgery related to her congenital heart disease. There is no timeline for Foligno's return.

Borgen showed no signs of an injury in Tuesday's 2-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, playing a season-high 20:32 time-on-ice, but did not participate in practice on Wednesday. The Rangers recalled defenseman Scott Morrow from the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) in a corresponding move.

Trocheck suffered an upper-body injury in the Rangers' second game of the season. He was given a week-to-week return timeline and will officially be out of the lineup for at least a month after being placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve. The 32-year-old Trocheck scored 59 points (26G / 33A) in 82 games last season. His offensive prowess will be greatly missed on a Rangers team that has already been shut out in three of its first five games (2-3-0).

With Will Borgen battling a lower-body injury, the Rangers recalled Morrow from the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL). The 22-year-old Morrow has six points (1G / 5A) in 16 games of NHL experience over the previous two seasons, all with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Benson has not played in Buffalo's first three games due to an upper-body injury but will draw into the lineup in Wednesday's contest against the Ottawa Senators. The 20-year-old Benson scored 28 points (10G / 18A) in 75 games last season.

Raymond exited Monday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs after only 7:58 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. He skated at practice on Wednesday but did not participate in team drills, and it's unclear when he may return to the lineup. The 23-year-old Raymond was off to a strong start to the season, with three points (2G / 1A) in three games. Elmer Soderblom will draw into Detroit's lineup on Wednesday as Raymond's replacement.

With Lucas Raymond battling an upper-body injury, Soderblom will draw back into Detroit's lineup on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. In his only outing this season, the 24-year-old Soderblom played 10:43 time-on-ice and recorded a -2 plus/minus.

After John Gibson's porous debut in Detroit's season-opening 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Talbot has been awarded his third consecutive start on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. The 38-year-old Talbot has been excellent in his limited action this season, posting a 2.11 GAA, a .925 SV%, and a perfect 2-0-0 record. Still, the Red Wings enter Wednesday's contest as +122 home underdogs against a Panthers team coming off their first loss of the 2025-26 season (3-1-0).

After John Gibson's porous debut in Detroit's season-opening 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Talbot has been awarded his third consecutive start on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. The 38-year-old Talbot has been excellent in his limited action this season, posting a 2.11 GAA, a .925 SV%, and a perfect 2-0-0 record. Still, the Red Wings enter Wednesday's contest as +122 home underdogs against a Panthers team coming off their first loss of the 2025-26 season (3-1-0).

Scott Wedgewood has started Colorado's first four games of the 2025-26 season, but Blackwood appears to be nearing a return from a lower-body injury after being sent to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) on a conditioning Loan on Monday. Wedgewood has played well to start the season, but the team will be eager to have the services of Blackwood back in their lineup after posting a 22-12-3 record last season, alongside a 2.33 GAA and .913 SV% last season after being acquired from San Jose.

MacEwen is battling an undisclosed injury and will be sidelined for the foreseeable future, after missing Monday's game against Columbus. The 29-year-old MacEwen played 7:12 time-on-ice in his only outing this season. Brian Halonen has dawn into the lineup as MacEwen's replacement.