DeSmith allowed three goals on 40 shots in the Penguins win over the Senators last Friday. With Matt Murray out, DeSmith could get the next couple of starts. DeSmith has gone 4-6-2 with a 2.83 GAA, .903 SV% and one shutout on the road this year.

Blackwell failed to record a point in six games with the Predators during his call-up. He returns to the AHL where he has seven goals in 16 games because Kyle Turris has been activated from IR and is set to return to the lineup on Thursday.

DeSmith allowed six goals on 34 shots in the Penguins loss in Vegas on January 19th. DeSmith has had a solid season but has been terrible lately, losing three straight while allowing a combined 14 goals on 88 shots (.841 SV%). As bad as he’s played recently, he is a strong option vs. the visiting Senators.

Blackwell appeared in three games before the All-Star break and returns to the Predators with Auston Watson suspended indefinitely. Blackwell has seven goals and no assists in 16 games with Milwaukee.

Hintz has split the 2019 campaign between the AHL and NHL. During his time in Dallas, Hintz has just five points (2G / 3A) but is over a point-per-game with 22 points (9G / 13A) in 21 AHL games.

Smith has been a healthy scratch for the last three games but will replace Pavel Buchnevich on Tuesday. Smith likely won’t see enough playing time to be a factor on Tuesday and has just eight points (2G / 6A) in 31 games this season.

Petrovic has missed the last six games with a concussion but is expected to play on Tuesday—replacing Caleb Jones, who was sent down on Monday. Petrovic has one assist and a minus-5 rating in five games since being acquired by the Panthers.

Blackwell has picked up seven goals in 14 games with the Admirals this season and has never appeared in an NHL game.

Kero has registered 16 goals and 21 assists (37 points) in 43 games with Utica this season. He is not expected to make his Canucks debut on Friday.

Duchene missed the last three games to be with his wife for the birth of their baby but is ready to play Wednesday vs. his former team. Duchene is expected to skate with Bobby Ryan and Ryan Dzingel and enters play with 18 goals and 24 assists (42 points) in 37 games.

Smith will replace Frederik Claesson, who is out with an upper-body injury. Smith, who was a healthy scratch for the last three games, has two goals and five assists (seven points) in 30 games this season.

The undrafted 27-year-old netminder has gone 12-7-4 with a 2.47 GAA and .924 SV% in 26 games with the Penguins this season. DeSmith has played very well while Matt Murray was sidelined and proved that he is a more than capable No.2 netminder who can serve as a No.1 when called upon.

Duchene and his wife are awaiting the arrival of their first child, so Duchene stayed home and is expected to miss all three games on their California road trip. Darren Archibald was called up to serve as the extra forward with Duchene out.

Benn was held out of the lineup on Friday as a precaution but will be back in Sunday vs. the Jets. Benn has scored in back-to-back games and has 17 goals and 15 assists (32 points) in 41 games this season.

Benn was forced to leave Wednesday’s game vs. New Jersey with an upper-body injury that he suffered after being hit by Miles Wood. Benn was on the ice this morning and wanted to play but the coaching/training staff want him to recover more thoroughly. Valeri Nichushkin will move to the Stars’ top-line with Benn out.