Vanecek will start for the third time in the last four games for the Devils in a challenging matchup against the high-scoring Colorado Avalanche. The Devils have lost two straight, and Vanecek has allowed four or more goals in each of his last two starts. That said, Vanecek and the Devils will be facing off against an Avalanche club that lost a hard-fought battle last night, 2-1 versus the New York Rangers in overtime.

Nosek has been out since November 18th after a foot injury and subsequent surgery, but his return to the lineup appears imminent after being a full participant at practice on Tuesday. The 31-year-old failed to pick up a point in his six games before his injury.

After serving a three-game suspension, Lockwood sat out the last game for the Panthers due to a concussion. Through 23 games this season, Lockwood has one point (0G / 1A), 42 hits, and 14 penalty minutes while averaging 8:22 time-on-ice.

Puljujarvi was signed to a two-year, $1.6 million ($800,000 AAV) contract Sunday and will be a game-time decision Tuesday to make his season debut vs. Winnipeg. The 25-year-old had been playing on a PTO for Pittsburgh's AHL team after undergoing a double hip surgery in the off-season and excelled in his brief appearances as he had four goals and nine points in 13 total games played.

Puljujarvi was signed to a two-year, $1.6 million ($800,000 AAV) contract Sunday and will be a game-time decision Tuesday to make his season debut vs. Winnipeg. The 25-year-old had been playing on a PTO for Pittsburgh's AHL team after undergoing a double hip surgery in the off-season and excelled in his brief appearances as he had four goals and nine points in 13 total games played.

On the back end of a back-to-back, the Sharks will turn to Kahkonen after Mackenzie Blackwood had a 32-save shutout in the Sharks' 2-0 win over the Seattle Kraken last night. Kahkonen last played on January 27th, allowing four goals on 35 shots (.886 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The Sharks are +162 road underdogs against a rested Ducks team with points in three straight (2-0-1).

The Sharks' goaltending revolving door will continue Saturday as Kaapo Kahkonen will get the start vs. Buffalo after backing up in San Jose's previous game. The 27-year-old has played very well despite the roster in front of him, which has led to an unfortunate 6-13-1 record, 3.56 GAA and .902 SV%. He'll take on the Sabres at home Saturday, who just snapped a two-game losing streak with a victory over Los Angeles last game and are 23rd in the NHL in goals per game (2.94).

Greer suffered an ankle injury in Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, exiting the game after playing only 5:34 time-on-ice. Greer has 10 points (6G / 4A) in 47 games this season while most recently playing on a line with Cole Schwindt and Adam Klapka.

Lockwood has finished serving his three-game suspension for goaltender interference but will remain out of the lineup as he is in concussion protocol. Through 23 games this season, Lockwood has one point (0G / 1A), 42 hits, and 14 penalty minutes while averaging 8:22 time-on-ice.

Bobrovsky will return to the crease for the Panthers on Friday as they look to extend their two-game winning streak. In his last outing, Bobrovsky saved 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%) in a 6-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes. Before that, Bobrovsky lost three straight, allowing three or more goals in each, posting an ugly .846 SV%. The Panthers are -132 road favourites against a Pittsburgh Penguins club riding a two-game losing streak.

Bobrovsky will return to the crease for the Panthers on Friday as they look to extend their two-game winning streak. In his last outing, Bobrovsky saved 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%) in a 6-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes. Before that, Bobrovsky lost three straight, allowing three or more goals in each, posting an ugly .846 SV%. The Panthers are -132 road favourites against a Pittsburgh Penguins club riding a two-game losing streak.

Barkov has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury and was on a tear before he left the lineup, scoring seven points (0G / 7A) in his last five games. He'll reclaim his usual spot centering the Panthers' first line.

Forsling sat out the previous game for the Panthers for personal reasons but will be ready to return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Arizona Coyotes. Forsling has scored a goal in each of his last two games while registering six shots and four hits.

The Panthers snapped a four-game losing streak on Monday with Anthony Stolarz between the pipes but will return to Bobrovsky on Wednesday evening. Bobrovsky's 2.55 GAA is his best since the 2017-18 campaign with the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the veteran netminder has struggled lately, allowing three or more goals in three straight (0-1-1), posting an ugly .846 SV%. The Panthers are sizeable -206 home favourites against an Arizona Coyotes club riding a two-game winning streak.

Head coach Paul Maurice expressed that Barkov will likely return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Arizona Coyotes, barring any unforeseen changes. Barkov has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury and was on a tear before he left the lineup, scoring seven points (0G / 7A) in his last five games.

The Panthers snapped a four-game losing streak on Monday with Anthony Stolarz between the pipes but will likely return to Bobrovsky on Wednesday evening. Bobrovsky's 2.55 GAA is his best since the 2017-18 campaign with the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the veteran netminder has struggled lately, allowing three or more goals in three straight (0-1-1), posting an ugly .846 SV%. The Panthers are sizeable -206 home favourites against an Arizona Coyotes club riding a two-game winning streak.