Ehlers recorded an assist on Monday but has been limited to only three points (0G / 3A) in his last 10 games. If the Danish forward can't compete on Friday, look for Nino Niederreiter or Alex Iaffolo to jump into his position on the second line, although Winnipeg has stated they do expect him to be in the lineup.
The Canadiens have struggled to keep the puck out of their net lately. Coincidently, their only win in the last six games is the only time they've allowed fewer than three goals and the only time Primeau has played in that span, a 13-save shutout in a 5-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on February 14th. The Canadiens enter action as sizeable +224 road underdogs against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night.
Smith has been out since December 21st due to a lower-body injury but is expected to return to the Sharks' lineup on Saturday after being activated off Injured Reserve on Wednesday. The 25-year-old bruising right winger will provide some much-needed grit into the Sharks' lineup with his one goal, two assists, 27 SOG, 33 PIM and -4 plus/minus through 26 games before the injury.
The Stars recalled Stankoven ahead of Tuesday's game against the Rangers, but immediately loaned him back after Matt Duchene (lower-body) was deemed fit to play. The highly-touted prospect's NHL debut will have to wait. Stankoven has transitioned seamlessly in his first professional season, leading the AHL with 57 points (24G / 33A) in 46 games with the Texas Stars.
The Stars are without forwards Evgenii Dadonov (lower-body) and presumably Matt Duchene (lower-body), who was a last-minute scratch on Monday. The Stars are playing the back end of a back-to-back on Tuesday and have recalled some offensive pedigree in the form of their highly touted prospect. Stankoven has transitioned seamlessly in his first professional season, leading the AHL with 57 points (24G / 33A) in 46 games with the Texas Stars. He could make his NHL debut on Tuesday depending on the health and availability of other Stars' players, namely Duchene.
Chatfield was a late scratch from Monday's game, with the Hurricanes not announcing his absence until the start of warmups. Tony DeAngelo will likely draw into the lineup in Chatfield's place.
Jankowski played the last three games for the Predators, registering a -2 plus/minus and four shots on goal while averaging nearly 12 minutes on the ice. He will likely play again in the Predators' next matchup on Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Kochetkov did not participate at the morning skate on Monday due to an illness but is expected to ready to back-up Spencer Martin in the evening. Kochetkov has been excellent lately, allowing three or fewer goals in 10 straight outings (7-2-0), posting a .923 SV%.
The Hurricanes will turn back to Kochetkov on Friday as the 24-year-old netminder is set to make a fifth consecutive start. Kochetkov will be eager for a shot at redemption after being saddled with the loss in Dallas on Tuesday, allowing three goals on 22 shots in the eventual 4-2 defeat. His start on Friday opens up the door for Spencer Martin to make his second appearance as a Hurricane when the team travels to Vegas on Saturday, though there is the outside chance the team opts to go to Kochetkov on back-to-back nights.
Andersen was diagnosed with deep-vein thrombosis and subsequent pulmonary embolisms in November. On Thursday, he returned to practice at full capacity for the first time since his diagnosis. Anderson has a 2.87 GAA and .894 SV% in six games this season (4-1-0), and at the very least, he will likely return to a timeshare between the pipes.
Kochetkov will start for the fourth straight game as the Hurricanes attempt to extend their winning streak to three on Tuesday night. Kochetkov is coming off his best performance of the season, a 34-save shutout in a 1-0 overtime victory against the New Jersey Devils. The Hurricanes are slight +103 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars club that has won five of their last six contests (5-1-0).
Kochetkov will likely start for the fourth straight game as the Hurricanes attempt to extend their winning streak to three on Tuesday night. Kochetkov is coming off his best performance of the season, a 34-save shutout in a 1-0 overtime victory against the New Jersey Devils. The Hurricanes are slight +103 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars club that has won five of their last six contests (5-1-0).
Jacob Bryson will draw back into the lineup in favour of Robinson on Tuesday night. Robinson has seven points (2G / 5A), 36 shots, and 49 hits through 25 games this season.
Montreal has been outscored 10-4 over their last two games (0-2-0) and will attempt to change their fortunes with Primeau between the pipes on Tuesday night. Primeau is winless in his last four outings and allowed five goals on 36 shots (.861 SV%) in his last start nearly four weeks ago. That said, the Canadiens draw a favourable matchup on Tuesday and are -117 home favourites against the Anaheim Ducks and their third-worst ranked offence (2.57 GF / GP).
Montreal has been outscored 10-4 over their last two games (0-2-0) and will attempt to change their fortunes with Primeau between the pipes on Tuesday night. Primeau is winless in his last four outings and allowed five goals on 36 shots (.861 SV%) in his last start nearly four weeks ago. That said, the Canadiens draw a favourable matchup on Tuesday and are -117 home favourites against the Anaheim Ducks and their third-worst ranked offence (2.57 GF / GP).
Jankowski was recalled along with Egor Afanasyev on Monday in moves corresponding to Philip Tomasino being reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL). The 29-year-old Jankowski has 324 NHL games under his belt but has spent the majority of the 2023-24 campaign with Milwaukee in the AHL, scoring an impressive 47 points (15G / 32A) in 42 games.
