Sturm let the Sharks' know Tuesday that he would be stepping away from the team for personal matters and will miss their upcoming games vs. Vancouver and Seattle. The 28-year-old centre has struggled much like his San Jose counterparts in 2023-24, with his two assists, 16 SOG, eight PIMs, and a -12 plus/minus in 17 games.

Ekblad, initially expected to be out until mid-December, could return to action as soon as tonight against the Anaheim Ducks. The injured reserve has become far too familiar of a place for Ekblad over the past few seasons as the talented defenceman will hope for a better fate upon his return for the remainder of the season. Despite his recent inability to play an entire season, Ekblad scored more than 10 goals in each of his past three campaigns.

Gadjovich was sent to Charlotte (AHL) on a rehab assignment due to an upper-body injury but has been recalled to Florida on Friday. The 25-year-old signed a one-year, two-way contract with Florida in the offseason after putting up three goals, four assists, 57 PIMs and a -3 plus/minus in 35 games played with San Jose in 2022-23.

Schmidt has played 11 straight games for the Jets, tallying only one point (0G / 1A), seven hits, and five shots and will be a healthy scratch on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres. The Jets dressed seven defencemen in their last contest but will opt for the more traditional six-defenceman formation as Logan Stanley, who entered the lineup in their previous game, will remain dressed in favour of Schmidt.

Vanecek received the night off on Tuesday but will return to the starter's crease on Thursday against the red-hot Pittsburgh Penguins. Vanecek and the Devils have been shadows of themselves, with Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier out of the lineup tending to injuries. The Devils have lost four of their last five (1-4-0), scoring more than three goals only once in that span. In addition, Vanecek hasn't been able to shut the door consistently, highlighted by his two most recent performances (0-2-0), allowing seven goals on a combined 36 shots (.806 SV%). Making things worse, the Devils are +127 road underdogs against a Penguins team that has outscored their opposition 25-8 during a five-game winning streak.

Bobrovsky had the night off on Tuesday but will return to the crease on Thursday when the Panthers visit the Los Angeles Kings. The Panthers are in the midst of the best stretch of the season (6-1-0), highlighted by Bobrovsky's five-game winning streak, in which he has saved 117 of 129 shots (.907 SV%), including a shutout. Despite their strong play, the Panthers are still +111 road underdogs against a very strong Kings team that ranks second in the league offensively (4.00 GF / GP).

Bobrovsky had the night off on Tuesday but will likely return to the crease on Thursday when the Panthers visit the Los Angeles Kings. The Panthers are in the midst of the best stretch of the season (6-1-0), highlighted by Bobrovsky's five-game winning streak, in which he has saved 117 of 129 shots (.907 SV%), including a shutout. Despite their strong play, the Panthers are still +111 road underdogs against a very strong Kings team that ranks second in the league offensively (4.00 GF / GP).

Bjornfot was injured in the Kings opening game on October 11th and will join the Ontario Reign on a conditioning assignment after finally being cleared to return to play. Bjornfot was the 22nd overall pick of the Kings in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He has 15 points (1G / 14A) in 117 career NHL games.

Kahkonen will start for the seventh time this season as he searches for his first victory. Paralleling most of the season from the San Jose Sharks, Kahkonen's play has not been NHL-caliber, posting an unsightly 4.44 GAA and .875 SV%. Expectations remain low for Kahkonen and the Sharks as they are +188 home underdogs against a St. Louis Blues team that is suddenly firing on all cylinders, winning five of their last six (5-1-0), outscoring their opposition 27-12.

Vanecek received the night off on Tuesday but will likely return to the starter's crease on Thursday against the red-hot Pittsburgh Penguins. Vanecek and the Devils have been shadows of themselves, with Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier out of the lineup tending to injuries. The Devils have lost four of their last five (1-4-0), scoring more than three goals only once in that span. In addition, Vanecek hasn't been able to shut the door consistently, highlighted by his two most recent performances (0-2-0), allowing seven goals on a combined 36 shots (.806 SV%). Making things worse, the Devils are +127 road underdogs against a Penguins team that has outscored their opposition 25-8 during a five-game winning streak.

Greer is expected to skate alongside Dillon Dube and Yegor Sharangovich on the Flames' fourth line in Tuesday's game in Montreal. Greer has two goals and two assists in 13 games with the Flames this season.

Ekblad has yet to play in 2023-24 due to offseason shoulder surgery but is eyeing Friday vs. Anaheim as a possible return to make his season debut. The 27-year-old heavy shooting defensemen has scored double digit goals in eight of his nine career seasons and had 14 goals, 38 points, and 68 PIMs in 71 games played in 2022-23.

Lockwood has failed to pick up a point through seven games so far in 2023-24 with averaging 7:26 TOI with eight SOG and has been loaned to Charlotte (AHL) Monday. The 25-year-old right-winger returns to the Checkers, where he excelled early in the season with two goals, three points and four PIMs in two games.

Bennett's impending return is welcome news for him and the Panthers after he was injured after playing just 7:54 in his season debut. Bennett had 16 goals, 24 assists, 193 SOG, 54 PIMs and, a +5 plus/minus in 63 games played in 2022-23.

Bobrovsky will get the nod against Chicago on Sunday in what shapes up to be an excellent matchup for the two-time Vezina Trophy winner. Bobrovsky has won his last four appearances, and he and the Panthers are favoured at -260 to keep that streak alive on Sunday. The 14-year veteran most recently allowed just two goals on 30 shots enroute to Florida's 5-2 victory over the Hurricanes on Friday. Bobrovsky leads the NHL with seven wins on the season while boasting a .907 SV% and a 2.65 GAA.

Nosek missed the Devils' previous 10 games due to a lower-body injury but has been activated from the injured reserve and was a game-time decision Friday vs. Washington. The 31-year-old failed to pick up a point in his two games played so far in 2023-24 but had 18 points (11G/7A) last season with Boston.

Vanecek allowed five goals on 31 shots on Tuesday in a 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche but will look to rebound on Friday. Before that most recent loss, Vanecek had won four consecutive games, saving 108 of 120 shots faced (.900 SV%). Lindy Ruff's high-tempo offensive structure isn't particularly conducive to low-scoring affairs, but Vanecek should continue to garner a healthy amount of victories throughout the season. On Friday, the Devils are -170 home favourites against a Washington Capitals team that ranks second-worst in the league offensively (2.00 GF / GP).