With Elvis Merzlikins temporarily unavailable due to personal reasons, Tarasov will start Saturday vs. the Rangers. Tarasov comes in on a three-game winning streak with a 2.32 GAA and .930 SV%. Tarasov has faced the Rangers twice this season, going 1-0-1 while stopping 58 of 61 shots (.951 SV%) and one shutout.

Brett Howden (undisclosed) will draw back into the Vegas lineup on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, sending Schwindt to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Schwindt is averaging 9:13 time-on-ice and has seven points (0G / 7A) in 40 games this season.

Carl Grundstrom will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks, accommodating Gregor's insertion into the Sharks' lineup for the first time since being acquired in a trade last week. The 26-year-old Gregor averaged 11:21 time-on-ice and had six points (4G / 2A) in 40 games with the Ottawa Senators this season.

The Panthers' six-game winning streak snapped in their previous outing when Bobrovsky allowed three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins. Bobrovsky has a 2.51 GAA and .907 SV% in 43 games this season (27-14-2) but has been outstanding since the beginning of January, posting a solid 2.07 GAA and .922 SV% in 18 outings (10-7-1). The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as -134 road favorites against a Toronto Maple Leafs team that has lost three of their last four (1-2-1).

The Sharks acquired Noah Gregor, Zack Ostapchuk, and a 2025 2nd Round Pick from the Senators for Fabian Zetterlund, Tristen Robins, and a 4th Round Pick. Gregor's team debut has been delayed due to immigration issues. The 26-year-old Gregor scored six points (4G / 2A) in 40 games with the Senators this season.

Schwindt will slot in for Ivan Barbashev, who is a late scratch due to an undisclosed injury. Schwindt has zero goals and seven assists in 39 games this season.

The Sharks acquired Noah Gregor, Zack Ostapchuk, and a 2025 2nd Round Pick from the Senators for Fabian Zetterlund, Tristen Robins, and a 4th Round Pick. Gregor's team debut has been delayed due to immigration issues but could draw into the lineup on Tuesday against the Nashville Predators. The 26-year-old Gregor scored six points (4G / 2A) in 40 games with the Senators this season.

With Aaron Ekblad serving the first game of his twenty-game suspension, Balinskis will re-enter the lineup for the first time since March 1st. The 28-year-old Balinskis is averaging 14:51 time-on-ice and has 15 points (4G / 11A) in 58 games this season.

The Panthers have outscored their opposition 20-5 during a five-game winning streak and will lean on Bobrovsky tending the twine on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. Bobrovsky was excellent in his most recent outing, saving all 16 shots he faced for his fourth shutout of the season in a 3-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 36-year-old goalie has a 2.49 GAA and .907 SV% in 42 games this season (27-13-2). The Panthers enter Tuesday's contest as sizeable -220 road favorites against a Bruins team that defeated them 4-3 on January 11th.

Marchand participated at practice, not wearing a non-contact jersey, but will likely still be sidelined week-to-week. The 36-year-old Marchand was acquired in a trade from the Boston Bruins last week and is awaiting his Panthers' debut. He scored 47 points (21G / 26A) in 61 games with the Bruins this season.

Schwindt has not played since January 18th but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 23-year-old Schwindt is averaging 9:21 time-on-ice and has seven points (0G / 7A) in 38 games this season.

Marchand has not played or practiced since suffering an upper-body injury early in Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. His injury status impacted the potential return for the Bruins, as the Panthers were able to acquire him for just a conditional second-round draft pick. The 36-year-old Marchand has 47 points (21G / 26A) in 61 games this season.

Gregor has become a solid bottom-six forward over the previous four seasons and will add some depth to the Sharks' lineup. The 26-year-old Gregor scored six points (4G / 2A) in 40 games with the Senators this season.

Kunin was held out of San Jose's lineup on Thursday in anticipation of a trade and has ultimately been dealt to the Blue Jackets on Friday. Kunin is an impending UFA and has 18 points (11G / 7A) in 63 games this season.