Samuelsson has not played the previous three games but will re-enter the Sabres' lineup on Monday, replacing Dennis Gilbert. The 24-year-old Samuelsson is averaging 16:52 time-on-ice and has one point (1G / 0A) in 12 games this season.
Hayes is battling an upper-body injury, has missed the previous two games, and will be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis. The 32-year-old Hayes has four points (3G / 1A) in 14 games and has been held off the scoresheet in six straight. In a corresponding move, Pittsburgh recalled Samuel Poulin from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).
Poulin was the 21st overall pick of the Penguins in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old played three games in Pittsburgh last season but spent most of the 2023-24 campaign with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL), tallying 31 points (16G / 15A) in 41 games.
Gibson will make his season debut on Sunday after recovering from an appendectomy. The 31-year-old Gibson had a 3.54 GAA and .888 SV% in 46 appearances last season (13-27-2). The Ducks enter the action on Sunday as -116 home favorites against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Tarasov has only played once in the previous six games for the Blue Jackets, a forgettable outing where he allowed seven goals on 22 shots (.682 SV%) in a 7-2 loss to the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old Tarasov has an ugly 4.02 GAA and .860 SV% in six games this season (3-2-1). The Blue Jackets enter Sunday's contest as +105 road underdogs against the Anaheim Ducks.
Demko faced some shots and participated in a limited manor at practice on Sunday. Head coach Rick Tocchet said Demko is "making progress" and, although there is no specific timeline for his return, his presence at practice is a promising sign. The 28-year-old Demko was tremendous for the Canucks last season, posting a career-best 2.45 GAA and .918 SV% in 51 games (35-14-2).
The Devils are riding a three-game winning streak and will return to Allen between the pipes for the second time in four games. Allen has been inconsistent in five outings this season (3-1-1), posting a 2.60 GAA and .904 SV%, but has two shutouts in in his last four contests. The Devils enter Sunday's matchup against the San Jose Sharks as significant -342 home favorites.
Mrazek has allowed three or fewer goals in six straight games (2-4-0) and will return to the crease on Sunday against the Minnesota Wild. The 32-year-old Mrazek has a 3.02 GAA and .898 SV% in 11 games this season (4-7-0). The Blackhawks enter the action on Sunday as +164 home underdogs against the Wild.
Nichushkin was suspended for six months in May and will make his season debut on November 15th, his first day of eligibility, as per head coach Jared Bednar. Off-ice issues aside, Nichushkin has been dynamite in his last three seasons with the Avalanche, scoring 152 points (70G / 82A) in 169 games, and he will provide an offensive boost to an injury-depleted team upon his return to the lineup.
Samsonov has been sidelined for the previous three games due to an undisclosed injury but was back at practice on Sunday. The 27-year-old Samsonov has a 2.95 GAA and .906 SV% in five games with Vegas this season (3-1-1).
Fabbro has spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Nashville Predators, the team that drafted him 17th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The 26-year-old Fabbro was in and out of the lineup with the Predators this season, recording zero points and a -3 plus/minus in six games.
Johnson has not played since October 17th, expected to miss an extended period of time, and has been placed on Injured Reserve to open up a roster spot. The 22-year-old Johnson was showing signs of a true breakout campaign with two goals and three assists in his first four games.
Wood has not played since October 28th but appears to be nearing an imminent return the the lineup. In 10 games this season, Wood has one goal, a -2 plus/minus, and is averaging 13:40 time-on-ice.
Romanov has missed seven of the previous eight games due to an upper-body injury but is nearing a return to the lineup. The 24-year-old Romanov has two points (0G / 2A), 19 blocks, and 14 hits in eight games this season.
