Rutta played in the Lightning's second round-robin game but that was it. When head coach Jon Copper met with the media on Monday, he said that everything was "status quo," which suggests that Rutta is still unfit to play. Look for Zach Bogosian to remain in Rutta's spot.
Nutivaara was a healthy scratch for the first two games of the series but will replace Dean Kukan in the lineup for Game 3. During the regular-season, Nutivaara had nine points (3G / 6A) while averaging 1.3 shots and 0.9 blocked shots in 37 games.
Afanasyev was viewed as a potential first-round pick in last year's draft but fell to the Predators at the No.45 pick (second-round). The 6-foot-3, 205 lbs. Russian winger joined the Windsor Spitfires (OHL) for the 2020 campaign and led the team in goals (31) and was tied for first in points (67).
Carlsson missed the lat two games with a concussion but will replace Nick Seeler in the lineup on Wednesday. Adam Boqvist is now out with a concussion of his own, so look for Carlsson to get some PP2 time on Wednesday.
Ferraro has missed the last two games but could play Wednesday in Chicago. Head coach Bob Boughner said that Ferraro's return will be all about "pain tolerance, getting his foot back in a boot." Monitor his status during the Sharks' morning skate.
Couture took a deflected puck to the face on Sunday and will not travel with the team to start their four-game road trip. With Couture out on Wednesday, Noah Gregor is expected to centre the top line with Evander Kane and Kevin Labanc on his wings.
Ferraro will come out of the Sharks lineup vs. the Senators, opening the door for Nikolai Knyzhov to make his NHL debut. Ferraro has picked up four points while playing 20:09 ATOI in his last seven games.
Knyzhov is in his first year in North America and he has picked up five points (1G / 4A) in 33 games on the Barracuda blueline. He could make his NHL debut on Saturday with Jacob Middleton out and the Sharks with no concrete No.6 defenseman.
Nutivaara will replace Ryan Murray (undisclosed) in the lineup in Edmonton. Nutivaara, who has played big minutes at times this season, may play on the top-pair with Zach Werenski tonight.
Kaut played in eight straight NHL games, scoring two goals on 11 shots (18.2 SH%) and one assist in 10:03 ATOI. He returns to the AHL, where he had 16 points (5G / 11A) in 31 games before being called up.
Georgiev allowed two goals on 21 shots in the Rangers loss to the Blues on Tuesday. Since Igor Shesterkin got hurt, Georgiev has gone 2-2-0 with a 3.01 GAA and .914 SV%. He comes into Thursday's game at 3-9-1 with a 3.13 GAA and .895 SV% in 12 starts at Madison Square Garden. He'll face a Capitals team that is 1-4-0 while scoring just 1.80 goals per game in their last five road games.
