Vlasic will draw back into the Sharks' lineup on Friday as they opt to dress seven defensemen against the Canucks. He has no goals and one assist in 17 games this season.

Kurashev was a late scratch on Monday but returned to practice on Thursday and will play on Friday against the Montreal Canadiens. Kurashev is averaging nearly 20 minutes per night over his last four games, collecting three points (1G / 2A) and six shots on goal. Cole Guttman is expected to be a healthy scratch for the Blackhawks.

Vlasic will be the odd-man out on Thursday as Jan Rutta (illness) is set to return to the Sharks' lineup.

Kurashev was a late scratch on Monday but returned to practice on Thursday and will likely play on Friday against the Montreal Canadiens. Kurashev is averaging nearly 20 minutes per night over his last four games, collecting three points (1G / 2A) and six shots on goal.

Dellandrea centred the fourth line on Monday but will be a healthy scratch on Thursday as Radek Faksa will return to the lineup. Dellandrea has one point (1G / 0A) , three hits, and four penalty minutes in his last two games.

Tristan Jarry has been solid most of the season but has taken a back seat lately to Nedeljkovic, who will start for the third time in the last four games. Nedeljkovic has won each of his last two starts, saving 63 of 69 shots (.913 SV%). In his first season with the Penguins, Nedeljkovic is sporting an impressive 2.58 GAA and .925 SV% through eight games (4-2-1). The Penguins are +119 home underdogs on Thursday against a Carolina Hurricanes team that is coming off a convincing 6-3 win against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Tristan Jarry has been solid most of the season but has taken a back seat lately to Nedeljkovic, who will likely start for the third time in the last four games. Nedeljkovic has won each of his last two starts, saving 63 of 69 shots (.913 SV%). In his first season with the Penguins, Nedeljkovic is sporting an impressive 2.58 GAA and .925 SV% through eight games (4-2-1). The Penguins are +119 home underdogs on Thursday against a Carolina Hurricanes team that is coming off a convincing 6-3 win against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Couture returned to Sharks' practice for the first time since early October as he is weeks away from returning from game action due to a lower-body injury. The 34-year-old was originally only expected to miss a few games to start the season but badly reaggrivated his injury and has missed the Sharks' first 31 games because of it. He is coming off a 67 point (27G/40A) season in 2022-23 and hasn't played less than 48 games in a since since 2009-10.

Vlasic has not played since December 7th, sitting out the last four games, but will return to the lineup against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday. Calen Addison (undisclosed) will come out of the lineup.

Lindblom has been out due to injury since November 10th and was reassigned to the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) Monday now that he is healthy. The 27-year-old was only able to appear in one game for the Sharks prior to his injury but will return to the minor, where he had two points (1G/1A) in eight games earlier in the season.

Nedeljkovic will start on Monday after allowing three goals in relief of Tristan Jarry on 21 shots (.857 SV%) in Saturday's 7-0 blowout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Discounting Saturday's relief appearance, Nedeljkovic has been tremendous when called upon lately, posting an excellent .946 SV% in his last four outings (2-1-1). The Penguins are -120 home favourites on Monday as they will be desperate to rebound against a Minnesota Wild team that has won three straight games but is averaging only 1.8 goals per game over their last five contests (3-2-0).

Nedeljkovic will likely start on Monday after allowing three goals in relief of Tristan Jarry on 21 shots (.857 SV%) in Saturday's 7-0 blowout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Discounting Saturday's relief appearance, Nedeljkovic has been tremendous when called upon lately, posting an excellent .946 SV% in his last four outings (2-1-1). The Penguins are -120 home favourites on Monday as they will be desperate to rebound against a Minnesota Wild team that has won three straight games but is averaging only 1.8 goals per game over their last five contests (3-2-0).

Nedeljkovic will get his first start in four games as the Penguins head to Montreal to take on the Canadiens Wednesday. The 27-year-old has had a resurgent and impressive season as Tristan Jarry's backup, with his 2-2-1 record, 2.18 GAA and .937 SV%. He will face Montreal on the road, who have lost two of their last three games and are struggling offensively ranking 27th in both shots per game (28.7) and goals per game (2.61).

Eklund did not play on Sunday but is expected to return for Tuesday's contest against the Vancouver Canucks. Before his injury, Eklund had five points (2G / 3A) in his last four games, averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per night.

Eklund did not play on Sunday and is questionable for Tuesday's contest against the Vancouver Canucks. Before his injury, Eklund had five points (2G / 3A) in his last four games, averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per night.

Thrun has two assists, three SOG, two PIMs and a -2 plus/minus in three games played with the Sharks this season but has been reassigned to the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) Monday. The 22-year-old defenesemen returns to the minors, where he had a goal and six points in 18 games prior to his previous promotion.