Palat missed the last five games with a lower-body injury but will be back in the lineup when the Lighting host the Devils on Thursday. This is good timing for the Lightning, as they will be without Nikita Kucherov, who was added to the COVID-19 protocol list on Tuesday.

Hamilton remains week-to-week after undergoing surgery to repair his broken jaw but the fact that he returned to the ice is a good sign. However, it sounds like he's still a few weeks away from returning to the lineup.

Dillon has missed the last three games while in COVID-19 protocol but took part in Friday's practice and will be a game-time decision on Saturday afternoon.

With Allen out for two months and Carey Price still not with the team, the Canadiens will move forward with a goaltending tandem of Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau. Don't expect to see Allen until late March.

Dillon will miss Thursday's game in Detroit, opening the door for Declan Chisholm to make his NHL debut.

Palat was held out of part of Tuesday's win in Buffalo and will not play Thursday vs. the Canucks. With Palat out, Mathieu Joseph skated on the top line in the morning skate.