Granlund suffered a significant upper-body injury, and although he will not need surgery, he is expected to be out on a week-to-week basis. With 29 points (5G / 24A) in 38 games, Granlund was pacing for his second-best point output in the last six seasons.

Blackwood helped the Sharks snap a 12-game losing skid last week when he saved 33 of 35 shots (.943 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens but followed that up by allowing five goals on 41 shots (.878 SV%) in a 5-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Sharks, on a fresh two-game losing streak, are +131 road underdogs against a Chicago Blackhawks club that has lost three straight, being outscored 7-3.

Sabourin will draw into the Sharks lineup on Monday in favour of Mike Hoffman, who will be a healthy scratch. Sabourin played his first game of the season with the Sharks last week, recording four penalty minutes and five hits in 11:12 time-on-ice.

Vanecek will start for only the third time in the last six games for the Devils when they face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Vanecek was great in his last contest, albeit against a low-scoring Chicago Blackhawks team, saving 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in a 4-2 victory. Vanecek has tallied consecutive quality starts only once this season and will be hard-pressed to do so on Thursday as the Devils are +136 road underdogs.

Walman was battling an illness that prevented him from practicing on Wednesday but he will be ready to play on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. In his last five games, Walman has four points (1G / 3A) while averaging nearly 20 minutes of ice time per night.

Ty Emberson will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Vlasic to play for only the second time since the Christmas break. In his last contest, Vlasic played under 12 minutes, recorded a -1 plus/minus, and fired two shots on goal.

Blackwood was serviceable entering the Sharks' game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in relief on Tuesday, saving 22 of 25 shots (.880 SV%), but with the outcome already predetermined, there was very little he could do to help his squad avoid a defeating 7-1 fate. The Sharks have lost 12 straight (0-12-0), largely due to the Sharks' inability to score as they have been outscored 31-8 in their last seven games. That said, Blackwood hasn't been horrible lately, posting a .898 SV% in his last three games (0-2-0).

Walman is battling an illness that prevented him from practicing on Wednesday. In his last five games, Walman has four points (1G / 3A) while averaging nearly 20 minutes of ice time per night.

Sabourin will make his first appearance as a San Jose Shark as Kevin Labanc is the odd-man out on Tuesday. Sabourin has nine goals and four assists in 29 games with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) this season.

Thompson made his NHL debut Sunday vs. Boston and got one shot on goal across 14 shifts and 11:39 TOI but will return to Syracuse (AHL) Monday. The 21-year-old was returned to the minors as Erik Cernak (upper body) likely returns to Tampa Bay's lineup Tuesday.

Sabourin last played in the NHL during a seven-game stint with the Ottawa Senators in the 2021-22 season, scoring two points (0G / 2A). In 29 games with the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL this season, Sabourin has 13 points (9G / 4A) and 92 penalty minutes.

Vanecek has served as the backup to Nico Daws in two of the last three games, both wins for the Devils, but will return to the crease on Friday evening. Before allowing five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins in his last outings, Vanecek won two straight games, saving 48 of 53 shots in the process (.906 SV%). Vanecek and the Devils are overwhelming -432 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks club that has lost four straight, being outscored 15-2 in their last three (0-3-0).

Declan Carlile and Sean Day have both been reassigned to the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL, prompting the Lightning to recall Thompson and Emil Martinsen-Lilleberg. In 31 games with Syracuse (AHL), Thompson has 20 points (2G / 18A).

Vanecek has served as the backup to Nico Daws in two of the last three games, both wins for the Devils, but will likely return to the crease on Friday evening. Before allowing five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins in his last outings, Vanecek won two straight games, saving 48 of 53 shots in the process (.906 SV%). Vanecek and the Devils are overwhelming -432 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks club that has lost four straight, being outscored 15-2 in their last three (0-3-0).

Vlasic will replace the injured Kyle Burroughs (lower-body). Vlasic has no goals and just one assist in 18 games this season.