Rutta logged just 4:17 TOI in the Sharks' previous game Wednesday after leaving due to an undisclosed injury and is considered week-to-week along with being placed on the injured reserve Friday. The 33-year-old stay-at-home defender was acquired in a three-team trade in the offseason and has yet to score with one assist, 15 SOG, eight PIMs and a -11 plus/minus in 19 games prior to his injury.

Benning has been out since October 29th due to an undisclosed injury and has been activated off the injured reserve Friday with expectations to play. The 29-year-old stay-at-home defender has an assist, six PIMs and a -6 plus/minus in eight games this season prior to his injury.

Rutta logged just 4:17 TOI before leaving Wednesday's game. If he's unavailable for Friday's game vs. Montreal, expect Marc-Edouard Vlasic to play for the first time since November 14th.

Poturalski did not appear in a game for the Kraken and has been reassigned to Coachella Valley (AHL) Thursday. The 29-year-old returns to the Firebirds where he had two goals, seven points, and a +2 plus/minus in 10 games prior to his original promotion.

Dellandrea has been a healthy scratch for the Stars' previous two games but will draw back into the lineup for Craig Smith on Wednesday vs. Vegas. The 23-year-old has struggled this season with zero goals, one assist, 11 SOG, two PIMs and a -1 plus/minus while averaging 12:29 TOI.

The Devils will turn to Vanecek in Detroit on Wednesday for the third consecutive game. Vanecek allowed four goals on 34 shots enroute to a 5-3 defeat to the Rangers on Saturday. Vanecek has been inconsistent at best this season, but backup Akira Schmid's struggles have allowed Vanecek to retain a firm grip on the starting job. The 28-year-old netminder owns a 7-4-0 record on the season along with an .889 SV% and a 3.38 GAA. He draws a favourable matchup on Wednesday with the Devils being -160 road favourites over the Red Wings.

Knyzhov has been a healthy scratch for the Sharks' last three games but will draw back into the lineup Wednesday vs. Seattle. The 25-year-old undrafted defenseman has yet to score this season but has an assist, six SOG, six PIMs and a -5 plus/minus through nine games played.

Kostin was in the lineup for the last 10 games for the Red Wings, recording two points (1G / 1A), and will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday as the team will likely dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

Walman left the Red Wings' Stadium Series showdown vs. Toronto after just 14 shifts and 12:29 TOI due to an undisclosed injury but fully practiced Tuesday and is expected to play Wednesday vs. New Jersey. It is great news for the Red Wings as their top paired defensemen has been off to a fantastic start early with four goals, three assists, 31 SOG, 18 PIMs and a +5 plus/minus in 17 games this season.

The Sharks recorded their first victory of the season without Blackwood between the pipes on Friday but will turn back to him on Monday when they visit the Vancouver Canucks. Blackwood's 4.02 GAA and .898 SV% are nothing to marvel at but considering the circumstances of playing on a league-worst Sharks team, the 26-year-old goaltender has played admirably, making at least 38 saves in three of his last four contests (2-2-0) while posting a .929 SV%. Heroics of Blackwood aside, the Sharks are huge +318 road underdogs against a Canucks team that already beat the Sharks earlier this month by a whopping 10-1 score.

The Devils will turn to Vanecek for the second straight game after he allowed just two goals on 23 shots in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Penguins. Given the struggles of Akira Schmid, Vanecek has been just solid enough to maintain a firm grasp on the Devils' starting job. He owns an impressive 7-3-0 record on the season despite an .889 SV% and a 3.30 GAA. Vanecek and the Devils are very slight home favourites (-120) to secure a victory over the Rangers on Saturday.

After playing one game and failing to record a point, Lindblom was placed on the injured reserve with a lower-body injury and is considered out week-to-week. The 27-year-old left-winger had six goals, 15 points, and 18 PIMs with the Sharks in 2022-23.

Walman left Friday's Global Series game in Sweden after crashing into the post in the second period and will not return. The 27-year-old's absence will be a massive loss if he is forced to miss any time as he has four goals, seven points, 31 SOG, 18 PIMs and a +5 plus/minus in 16 games this season while manning the Red Wings' top defensive pair for 21:01 TOI/GP.

Gushchin had an assist, and three SOG while averaging 14:57 TOI in two games with San Jose but has been loaned to the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) Friday. The 21-year-old right winger returns to the AHL, where he was on a tear earlier in the season with four goals, 13 points, six PIMs and a +3 plus/minus.

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.

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.

Vlasic has yet to pick up a point through 13 games this season while averaging just 13:54 TOI and will be the odd man out of San Jose's lineup as he is replaced by Kyle Burroughs. The 36-year-old veteran is in his 18th NHL season and has struggled to create any type of offence as he has a -8 plus/minus and only 10 SOG.