Gudas was absent from practice on Thursday due to an illness and his status for Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Kings is uncertain. The 34-year-old Gudas is averaging 19:10 time-on-ice, recording 12 points (1G / 11A), 124 blocks, and 181 hits in 53 games this season.

Compher has not played since January 25th, missing five straight games, but will likely return to the lineup on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 29-year-old Compher recorded an assist in his most recent outing, snapping a six-game pointless skid. He has 21 points (6G / 15A) in 48 games this season but has only recorded two (1G / 1A) in his last 12.

Dickinson exited Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers after only 7:05 time-on-ice due to a high ankle sprain injury. The 29-year-old Dickinson had trouble leaving the ice and was seen in a walking boot following the game. He has 16 points (7G / 9A) in 53 games this season.

Thompson exited Sunday's 4-3 win over New Jersey Devils in the third period after being on the receiving end of an unsuspecting hit from Stefan Noesen. He did not play in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets but could be an option when the Sabres return to action on Saturday against the Nashville Predators. The 27-year-old Thompson has been tremendous offensively lately, scoring 14 points (7G / 7A) in his last nine games.

Crosby exited Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils for eight minutes due to an undisclosed injury but returned to the contest, ending the game with one assist in 22:14 time-on-ice. The 37-year-old Crosby downplayed the severity of the injury following the game but has not fully participated in practice since and will not play on Friday against the New York Rangers. Penguins' head coach Mike Sullivan said they are taking his injury "day by day," obviously posing a concern for his availability in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

It's a tough break for Samoskevich who just returned to the lineup after missing the last three games with an illness. We should get an update on his status ahead of Florida's game against the Senators on Saturday.

Evans has not played the previous three games due to an upper-body injury and will once again be unavailable on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 23-year-old Evans has 21 points (5G / 16A) in 50 games this season and is now considered day-to-day.

Joseph did not play on Tuesday due to an illness but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Florida Panthers. The 27-year-old Joseph is averaging 12:05 time-on-ice, recording five points (2G / 3A) and 67 hits in 35 games this season.

Jaaska will draw back into the lineup in place of defenceman Scott Morrow as the Hurricanes opt to dress 12 forwards on Thursday. Jaaska has zero goals and three assists in 15 games this season.

Ristolainen exited Sunday's 2-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche after 12:06 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury and has not played since. The 30-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:31 time-on-ice and has 15 points (2G / 13A) in 54 games this season.

Werenski is battling a lower-body injury and could miss a second consecutive game on Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club. Already without Sean Monahan (wrist) and Kirill Marchenko (jaw), the Blue Jackets can ill-afford to be without the elite offensive services of Werenski, who is having a Norris trophy caliber season, with 57 points (17G / 40A) in 53 games.

Bourque has not played since taking a puck to the face on Sunday but could return to action on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 23-year-old Bourque has started to find his game at the NHL level, with seven points (4G / 3A) in his last 14 games after only scoring seven (2G / 5A) in his first 33.

Lyubushkin exited Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks after only 10:47 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury but could return to the lineup on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 30-year-old Lyubushkin is averaging 16:58 time-on-ice, recording 11 points (0G / 11A), 82 blocks, an 62 hits in 53 games this season.

Marner played only 18:47 time-on-ice in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers, well below his 21:28 average time-on-ice through 52 games this season. He did not play on Tuesday but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. The 27-year-old Marner has 19 points (3G / 16A) in his last 13 games.

Manson exited Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks and will be shut down for Colorado's final two games before the two-week hiatus to accommodate the 4-Nations Face-Off tournament. The 33-year-old Manson is averaging 18:12 time-on-ice and has 13 points (1G / 12A) in 43 games this season. Oliver Kylington will return from an undisclosed injury to replace Manson.

Kylington has not played since November 27th due to an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old defenseman has battled a myriad of injuries lately and has been limited to only eight games this season, averaging 12:10 time-on-ice and scoring two points (1G / 1A). He replace an injured Josh Manson (lower body).

Deallandrea has not played since January 23rd, missing fours games, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 24-year-old Dellandra is averaging 11:45 time-on-ice and has five points (1G / 4A) in 41 games this season.

Evans has not played the previous three games due to an upper-body injury but he could return on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 23-year-old Evans has 21 points (5G / 16A) in 50 games this season and is now considered day-to-day.

Samoskevich has not played the previous few games for the Panthers but he will re-enter the lineup on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. The 22-year-old Samoskevich is averaging 11:48 time-on-ice and has 16 points (7G / 9A) in 47 games this season.

Crosby exited Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils for an eight-minute stretch due to an undisclosed injury but returned to the contest. The 37-year-old Crosby downplayed any injury concerns following the game but was not able to participate in a full practice on Thursday. Crosby has seven points (4G / 3A) during a five-game point streak.