As part of pre-planned play-management for the 19-year-old rookie, Smith will have the night off on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. Smith is averaging 14:01 time-on-ice through his first four NHL games this season, with zero points and a -2 plus/minus rating.

Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to an upper-body injury. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice.

Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury and was considered questionable for tonight's game. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice.

Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice.

Leddy suffered a lower-body injury and could be out of the Blues' lineup on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 33-year-old Leddy has zero points and a -3 plus/minus through four games this season. Pierre-Olivier Joseph will draw into the lineup as Leddy's replacement.

Nedeljkovic has been sidelined since late in the preseason when he suffered a lower-body injury. With Pittsburgh struggling to receive consistent netminding from Tristan Jarry early in the season, Nedeljkovic could have an opportunity to garner a heavy workload when he returns to the team. The 28-year-old surprisingly took over Pittsburgh's crease for the Penguins' end-of-season playoff run in 2023-24 due to his 18-7-7 record, 2.97 GAA, and .902 SV% during his first season in Pennsylvania.

Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice. He is expected to be a game-time decision on Thursday.

Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice.

Leddy suffered a lower-body injury and could be out of the Blues' lineup on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 33-year-old Leddy has zero points and a -3 plus/minus through four games this season.

Liljegren will make his season debut on Wednesday, sending Conor Timmins to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Liljegren tied a career-high last season with 23 points (3G / 20A) in 55 games.

Gaudette drew into Ottawa's lineup on Monday due to a Ridly Greig injury and has been recalled again, an indication that Greig may not be ready to return to the lineup. Gaudette recorded an assist in 5:36 time-on-ice in Ottawa's exhilarating 8-7 overtime win against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday.

Gaudette drew into Ottawa's lineup on Monday due to a Ridly Greig injury but has been returned to the Belleville Senators (AHL). Gaudette recorded an assist in 5:36 time-on-ice in Ottawa's exhilarating 8-7 overtime win against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday.

Ridly Greig will exit the lineup on Monday due to an upper-body injury, allowing Gaudette to draw back in. Gaudette has only played three NHL games since the conclusion of the 2021-22 campaign. The 28-year-old Gaudette had a tremendous 2023-24 campaign in the AHL as a member of the Springfield Thunderbirds, posting a career-high 71 points (44G / 27A) in 67 games.

Thompson will take Macklin Celebrini's spot on the Sharks roster after he was moved to IR. The 22-year-old defenseman appeared in two NHL games with the Sharks last year, but spent most of the season in the AHL, where he had nine points (1G / 8A) in 16 games.

The Sharks have placed Celebrini on IR and will be without this summer's No.1 overall pick for at least a couple of weeks. This is a terrible break for Celebrini, who had one goal, one assist and two SOG in his NHL debut on Thursday. Mikael Granlund will move up and centre the top line and Klim Kostin will draw into the lineup to replace Celebrini.

With Aleksander Barkov's injury status up in the air for Saturday's contest, Florida has recalled Patrick Giles from Charlotte (AHL) for some offensive depth. The 24-year-old undrafted right-winger has yet to make an NHL appearance but had 13 goals, 23 points and 31 PIMs in 66 games with Charlotte (AHL) in 2023-24.