Askarov was recalled from the Milwaukee Admirals and participated in practice for the Predators on Wednesday morning. Kevin Lankinen (illness) was not present at practice and as a result, Askarov suited up as the backup goaltender. Askarov was the 11th overall pick of the Predators in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and has a 2.45 GAA and .908 SV% through 15 games (8-6-1) with the Admirals this season.

Askarov was recalled from the Milwaukee Admirals and participated in practice for the Predators on Wednesday morning. Kevin Lankinen (illness) was not present at practice and as a result, Askarov suited up as the backup goaltender. Askarov was the 11th overall pick of the Predators in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and has a 2.45 GAA and .908 SV% through 15 games (8-6-1) with the Admirals 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.

Skinner has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury but was a full participant at practice on Wednesday and will return to the lineup on Thursday. Skinner has 22 points (12G / 10A) in 30 games this season and is averaging 17:46 time-on-ice, the most since his inaugural season with the Sabres in 2018-19. The Sabres are 1-2-0 in his absence, including a 9-4 blowout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

Skinner has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury but was a full participant at practice on Wednesday, and will be a game-time decision on Thursday. Skinner has 22 points (12G / 10A) in 30 games this season and is averaging 17:46 time-on-ice, the most since his inaugural season with the Sabres in 2018-19. The Sabres are 1-2-0 in his absence, including a 9-4 blowout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

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.

Skinner has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury but was a full participant at practice on Wednesday, suggesting his return to the lineup could come before the holiday break. Skinner has 22 points (12G / 10A) in 30 games this season and is averaging 17:46 time-on-ice, the most since his inaugural season with the Sabres in 2018-19. The Sabres are 1-2-0 in his absence, including a 9-4 blowout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

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).