Louis Crevier will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Megna to make his Blackhawks debut after being claimed off of waivers from the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday. Megna has spent most of the season in the press box for the Kraken, being limited to only two games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, scoring one point (1G / 0A). He has 141 NHL games under his belt, tallying 25 points (4G / 21A) in time split between the Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, and Seattle.

Balinskis made his NHL debut in 2023-24 with Florida after three seasons in the Czechia pro league and was rewarded Wednesday with a two-year, $1.7 million ($850,000) contract extension. The 27-year-old has managed to pick up a goal, an assist, 18 SOG, and six PIMs in 18 games played in his first season in Florida.

The Kraken placed Megna on waivers Tuesday but he did not clear and has been claimed by the Blackhawks. Megna has spent most of the season in the press box for the Kraken, being limited to only two games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, scoring one point (1G / 0A). He has 141 NHL games under his belt, tallying 25 points (4G / 21A) in time split between the Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, and Seattle.

Bjornfot has not played a game for the Kings since their season opener when he recorded one block in 10:12 time-on-ice. He has been placed on unconditional waivers and, if he goes unclaimed, will join the Ontario Reign (AHL), where he has scored zero points in nine games this season.

Kahkonen is winless in his last six appearances but will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. Despite a 0-5-0 record, Kahkonen has allowed three or fewer goals in four of his last five outings and has posted a respectable .923 SV%. That said, the Sharks are +161 home underdogs on Tuesday against the Red Wings, who have lost three of their last four games (1-3-0).

The Panthers will look for their fifth straight win as Bobrovsky will return to the crease after having the night off in their last contest on Saturday. Bobrovsky has been stellar lately, allowing three or fewer goals in five straight games (4-1-0), posting a terrific .927 SV%. The 35-year-old Bobrovsky has not allowed more than four goals since the second game of the season and has a 2.50 GAA and .911 SV% thus far in the 2023-24 campaign. The Panthers are -160 road favourites against the Arizona Coyotes, coming off a 2-0 shutout victory over the Anaheim Ducks.

Kahkonen is winless in his last six appearances but is expected to return to the crease on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. Despite a 0-5-0 record, Kahkonen has allowed three or fewer goals in four of his last five outings and has posted a respectable .923 SV%. That said, the Sharks are +161 home underdogs on Tuesday against the Red Wings, who have lost three of their last four games (1-3-0).

Bobrovsky will start for the fourth straight game and look for his third consecutive win when he tends the twine on Friday night against the New York Rangers. The 35-year-old Bobrovsky has been tremendous in his last two outings, posting impressive victories against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights, saving a combined 50 of 54 shots (.926 SV%). Bobrovsky and the Panthers are -133 home favourites in their first matchup of the season against the Rangers, who have won five of their last six games (5-1-0).

Bobrovsky will start for the fourth straight game and look for his third consecutive win when he tends the twine on Friday night against the New York Rangers. The 35-year-old Bobrovsky has been tremendous in his last two outings, posting impressive victories against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights, saving a combined 50 of 54 shots (.926 SV%). Bobrovsky and the Panthers are -133 home favourites in their first matchup of the season against the Rangers, who have won five of their last six games (5-1-0).

Vanecek has started the last three games for the Devils (1-1-1) and will start again on Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Vanecek has allowed three goals or fewer in four of his last game games (3-1-1), his best stretch of play this season, posting a .908 SV% in the process. The Devils are significant -254 home favourites against a Blue Jackets squad that has lost three of their last four (1-2-1), including a 6-3 loss to the Devils on December 16th.

With Mackenzie Blackwood out of the lineup due to illness, the Sharks will turn to Kahkonen on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings. Despite failing to record a victory, Kahkonen has played very well in his last two outings, allowing only four goals on 62 combined shots (.935 SV%). That said, the Sharks are significant +294 road underdogs against the Kings, who will turn back to David Rittich, who limited the Sharks to one goal in a 4-1 loss last week.

Bobrovsky saved 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in the Panthers' last game before the Christmas break, an impressive 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday and will return to the crease on Wednesday. The sometimes-inconsistent Bobrovsky has played well over the last month, posting a .916 SV% through nine games (6-3-0). The Panthers are slight -112 road favourites against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have won three straight, outscoring their opposition 13-6.

Bobrovsky saved 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in the Panthers' last game before the Christmas break, an impressive 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday and will likely return to the crease on Wednesday. The sometimes-inconsistent Bobrovsky has played well over the last month, posting a .916 SV% through nine games (6-3-0). The Panthers are slight -112 road favourites against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have won three straight, outscoring their opposition 13-6.

Vanecek has started the last three games for the Devils (1-1-1) and will likely start again on Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Vanecek has allowed three goals or fewer in four of his last game games (3-1-1), his best stretch of play this season, posting a .908 SV% in the process. The Devils are significant -254 home favourites against a Blue Jackets squad that has lost three of their last four (1-2-1), including a 6-3 loss to the Devils on December 16th.