Kucherov has missed the last four periods of hockey for Tampa Bay due to an illness but appears to be ready to return to the lineup after practicing with the team on Friday. The 31-year-old Kucherov remains among the league leaders with 92 points (28G / 64A) in 61 games this season. That said, the elite forward has been held off the scoresheet in two straight games for only the second time this season.

Norris has battled injuries the past few seasons, a trend that unfortunately has followed him to his new club, the Buffalo Sabres. The 25-year-old Norris was acquired by the Sabres last week in a trade that sent Dylan Cozens to the Ottawa Senators. Norris has been productive early in his tenure with Buffalo, recording two points (1G / 1A) and averaging 18:36 time-on-ice in three games.

Peterka did not play in Buffalo's previous game and will miss at least one more contest due to a lower-body injury. The 23-year-old Peterka has a career-high 51 points (19G / 32A) in 61 games this season.

Bichsel did not practice on Thursday due to an illness and is not ready to join the team for the Friday night matchup against the Winnipeg Jets. The 20-year-old rookie defenseman is averaging 14:57 time-on-ice and has five points (2G / 3A) in 22 games this season. Brendan Smith will draw into the Stars' lineup as Bichsel's replacement.

Gudbranson only played three games this season before suffering a shoulder injury and undergoing surgery in October. The 33-year-old is in his 14th NHL season, his third with Columbus, and is slated to make his return to the lineup next week.

Christiansen was limited to only 5:27 time-on-ice before exiting Thursday's 4-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights due to an upper-body injury. The 25-year-old Christiansen is averaging 12:43 time-on-ice and has eight points (1G / 7A) in 65 games this season.

Backlund exited the Flames' 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks in the first period and will be out week-to-week due to an upper-body injury. The 35-year-old Backlund is averaging 18:48 time-on-ice and has 24 points (11G / 13A) in 64 games this season. In a corresponding move, the Flames recalled Dryden Hunt from the Calgary Wranglers (AHL).

Pionk played a season-low 16:18 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the New York Rangers and will be sidelined week-to-week due to an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old Pionk was having an impressive season on the Jets' blueline, averaging 22:09 time-on-ice, recording 37 points (9G / 28A) and 109 hits in 66 games.

Ehlers has been tending to an undisclosed ailment, missing the Jets' previous two practices, but will be in the lineup on Friday against the Dallas Stars. The 29-year-old Ehlers is averaging 15:54 time-on-ice and has 57 points (21G / 36A) in 57 games this season. He has never finished a season with a point-per-game pace.

Ristolainen did not play on Thursday and remains day-to-da with an upper-body injury. The 30-year-old Finnish defenseman is averaging 20:31 time-on-ice and has 19 points (4G / 15A) in 63 games this season.

Boqvist was limited to only 7:51 time-on-ice before exiting Monday's 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings with an upper-body injury and did not practice on Thursday. The 24-year-old Boqvist is averaging 13:31 time-on-ice and has 11 points (4G / 7A) in 30 games this season. Scott Mayfield will draw into the lineup as Boqvist's replacement.

Christiansen was limited to only 5:27 time-on-ice before exiting Thursday's 4-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights due to an upper-body injury. The 25-year-old Christiansen is averaging 12:43 time-on-ice and has eight points (1G / 7A) in 65 games this season.

Tanev has missed the last six games, but will likely return to the lineup on Thursday against the Florida Panthers. The 35-year-old Tanev is averaging 19:48 time-on-ice, recording 17 points (2G / 15A) and 151 blocks in 57 games this season.

Kucherov did not play for the entirety of the third period in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes and it appears he will miss Thursday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 31-year-old Kucherov remains among the league leaders with 92 points (28G / 64A) in 61 games this season. That said, the elite forward has been held off the scoresheet in two straight games for only the second time this season.

Janmark was absent from practice on Wednesday due to an illness and is unable to play on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 32-year-old Janmark has settled into a bottom-six role for the Oilers this season, averaging 12:56 time-on-ice and scored 17 points (2G / 15A) in 63 games this season.

Tanev has missed the last six games, but will likely return to the lineup on Thursday against the Florida Panthers. The 35-year-old Tanev is averaging 19:48 time-on-ice, recording 17 points (2G / 15A) and 151 blocks in 57 games this season.

Cole Schwindt will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, allowing Howden to draw back into the lineup. The 26-year-old Howden is averaging 14:54 time-on-ice and has 30 points (17G / 13A) in 62 games this season.

Barbashev was a surprise scratch on Tuesday, but he will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 29-year-old Barbashev is averaging 16:55 time-on-ice and has 41 points (19G / 22A) in 53 games this season. He has seven points (4G / 3A) in his last seven games.

Wilson exited Tuesday's 7-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks in the third period after 15:21 time-on-ice and did not return but is expected to play on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 30-year-old Wilson is averaging 18:46 time-on-ice and has a career-high 54 points (29G / 25A) in 64 games this season. He has nine points (3G / 6A) during a five-game point streak.

Veleno made his debut with the Blackhawks on Saturday, after being acquired from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Petr Mrazek and Craig Smith. The 25-year-old Veleno is averaging 11:35 time-on-ice and has zero points through two games with the Blackhawks.