Hughes last played on November 3rd when he fell awkwardly into the boards but appears ready to return to action on Saturday after being a full participant at practice on Friday. This would mark approximately two weeks since Hughes last played, the low end of his initial two-to-four-week timeline. Before his injury, Hughes led the league with 20 points (5G / 15A) in 10 games and is expected to retake his place on the Devils' top line and top powerplay unit.

Allen has backed up the last three games for Montreal but will take the crease Saturday in Boston. The 33-year-old veteran netminder has been solid when called upon this season, with his 3-3-1 record, .911 SV% and 3.30 GAA. He draws the touch task of facing Boston on the road Saturday, who has won three of their last four games and are 13th in the NHL in goals per game (3.33).

In Brown's four games before his injury, he was averaging 2.25 shots per game, a vast improvement over the 0.80 he was averaging in the five games prior, and perhaps a sign that he is re-finding his game. Brown, who has yet to record a point through nine games this season, skated at practice alongside Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins at practice on Friday.

Hughes last played on November 3rd when he fell awkwardly into the boards but appears ready to return to action on Saturday after being a full participant at practice on Friday. This would mark approximately two weeks since Hughes last played, the low end of his initial two-to-four-week timeline. Before his injury, Hughes led the league with 20 points (5G / 15A) in 10 games and is expected to retake his place on the Devils' top line and top powerplay unit.

Meier was "banged up" in Tuesday's game against the Winnipeg Jets and was a game-time decision on Thursday. Meier's absence would be a huge blow for a New Jersey Devils team that has lost three straight (0-3-0) and is already without Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. After a slow start to the season, Meier has 11 points (5G / 6A) and has fired 38 shots on goal in his last 11 games.

Markstrom was brilliant after returning from a two-game absence due to an upper-body injury, saving 34 of 35 shots (.971 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. Markstrom has won consecutive starts for the first time this season and will hope to keep his hot streak rolling after having lost his seven previous outings (0-6-1), posting a .892 SV%. The Flames are -137 home favourites on Thursday and will try to take advantage of a Vancouver Canucks team that, albeit has won seven of their last eight (7-1-0), played an extra frame last night in a 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders.

Meier was "banged up" in Tuesday's game against the Winnipeg Jets and will be a game-time decision on Thursday. Meier's absence would be a huge blow for a New Jersey Devils team that has lost three straight (0-3-0) and is already without Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. After a slow start to the season, Meier has 11 points (5G / 6A) and has fired 38 shots on goal in his last 11 games.

Markstrom will return to the Flames crease on Tuesday after being unavailable to dress in the team's previous two games due to an upper-body injury. In his most recent outing, a 4-2 victory over the Nashville Predators, Markstrom saved 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%), the first time he has recorded a victory when allowing two or fewer goals in a game (1-2-1). The Flames have lost their last two games but are -165 road favourites against a Montreal Canadiens team that ranks in the bottom half of the league defensively (3.40 GF / GP).

MacDermid was a surprise addition to Colorado's lineup on Monday after Josh Manson and Samuel Girard were announced as scratches shortly before puck drop. MacDermid is yet to register a point in three games so far this season.

Markstrom did not dress in the last two games for the Flames as he was out of the lineup with an upper-body injury but appears to be nearing a return. During his absence, Dan Vladar and Dustin Wolf each started a game, both losses. Markstrom is 2-6-1 on the season with a 2.91 GAA and .896 SV%.

Allen will return to the Canadiens' crease on Sunday after suffering through his worst start of the season on Tuesday against the Lightning. Allen allowed four goals on just nine shots before being lifted in favour of Sam Montembeault. Despite the abysmal start, Allen still owns a respectable .910 SV%, a 3.35 GAA , and a 3-2-1 record across six starts on the season. He draws a difficult home matchup on Sunday with the Canadiens being a +130 underdog against the Canucks.

Allen will return to the Canadiens' crease on Sunday after suffering through his worst start of the season on Tuesday against the Lightning. Allen allowed four goals on just nine shots before being lifted in favour of Sam Montembeault. Despite the abysmal start, Allen still owns a respectable .910 SV%, a 3.35 GAA , and a 3-2-1 record across six starts on the season. He draws a difficult home matchup on Sunday with the Canadiens being a +130 underdog against the Canucks.

Pesce has missed the Hurricanes' previous eight games due to a lower-body injury and was a game-time decision Friday as the team heads to Florida. The 28-year-old will make a welcome return to the lineup as he's averaged at least 21:42 TOI in each of the last four seasons and has a goal, an assist, seven SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through five games prior to the injury.

The Flames have recalled high-pedigree prospect Dustin Wolf as Markstrom tends to an upper-body injury that will keep him out of the lineup. Dan Vladar will start for the Flames on Friday against the Maple Leafs, and it is unclear if Markstrom will be ready for their Saturday matchup against the Ottawa Senators or if the team will turn to Wolf. Markstrom has a 2.91 GAA and .896 SV% through nine games this season (2-6-1).

Brown has missed the Oilers' last two games due to a soft-tissue injury and is still considered day-to-day even though he skated Thursday. The 29-year-old signed a one-year, $4 million contract in the offseason but has been a massive disappointment as he is yet to collect a point through nine games but has 13 SOG, and a -5 plus/minus.

Addison was acquired by Sharks for a 2026 fifth-round pick and Adam Raska and will make his San Jose debut Thursday vs. Edmonton. The 23-year-old defensemen was spotted on the Sharks' top power play at morning skate and will hope to add to the five assists, 18 SOG, six PIMs and -3 plus/minus he had through 12 games with Minnesota already in 2023-24.

Pesce has missed the Hurricanes' previous eight games due to a lower-body injury but will be a game-time decision Friday as the team heads to Florida. The 28-year-old will make a welcome return to the lineup as he's averaged at least 21:42 TOI in each of the last four seasons and has a goal, an assist, seven SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through five games prior to the injury.