Makar has missed the first two games since the Avalanche returned from a COVID-19 related break but will be a game-time decision on Saturday. Makar took part in practice on Friday, so it seems likely that he'll play in Lake Tahoe.

Girard would be playing for the first time since February 2nd and is expected to skate on the third pair with Conor Timmins at even strength and on PP2. Girard has picked up one goal and eight assists (nine points) in 11 games this season.

Landeskog would be playing for the first time since February 2nd. Instead of skating in his familiar spot with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, Landeskog skated on the third line with J.T. Compher in Friday's practice.

Helm has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury but Jeff Blashill expects to have him tonight vs. the Panthers. Helm would replace Vladislav Namestnikov, who is out with an undisclosed injury. Helm has no points in nine games this season.

Makar was scratched from Sunday's game in Vegas but was on the ice for Tuesday's morning skate and will be a game-time decision in the rematch. It seems unlikely that he'll play but the Avalanche left the possibility open in case he's feeling good this afternoon.

Helm was hurt midway through Thursday's game in Nashville and will not be available for Saturday's rematch. With Helm out, Valtteri Filppula will likely draw back into the lineup.

Poolman has been out since the season opener due to COVID-19 protocol but will dress as the seventh defenseman on Thursday. Poolman will replace Kristian Vesalainen.

Lankinen allowed four goals on 34 shots in the Blackhawks win over the Hurricanes last Thursday. Lankinen has allowed a combined seven goals in his last two starts, moving his GAA to 2.32 with a .928 SV% through eight starts. Tonight he'll face a Stars team that has opened the season at 5-2-2 while ranking third in the NHL in Goals per game (3.67).

Georgiev allowed five goals on 38 shots in the Rangers loss to the Penguins on January 30th. Since opening the season with a shutout, Georgiev has lost three straight while allowing a combined 12 goals on 82 shots (.854 SV%). Tonight he'll face a Bruins team that has won seven of their last eight (7-0-1) while averaging 4.00 goals for and just 2.38 goals against.

Kiviranta has been out since the Stars season opener on January 22nd but was back on the ice on Monday and is a game-time decision on Tuesday. Kiviranta, who had one goal and one assist before leaving the season opener, is expected to skate with Joe Pavelski and Jamie Benn if he plays.

This is the first time that we've heard any sort of timetable on Francouz, who has missed the entire season to-date. It looks like Hunter Miska will continue to serve as Philipp Grubauer's backup for at least a few more weeks.

MacKinnon left Sunday's game in the third period with a lower-body injury and head coach Jared Bednar called him week-to-week on Tuesday. With MacKinnon out on Tuesday, J.T. Compher will move up between Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen and Sheldon Dries will draw into the lineup.