Hill has not played since November 30th when he exited the game with a lower-body injury, but appears to be nearing a return about participating in practice on Thursday and will travel on the teams upcoming road trip. Jiri Patera was recalled in Hill's absence but has played only one of six games for the Golden Knights since, with the other five going to Logan Thompson.
Samsonov served as the backup in the back end of a back-to-back in the Maple Leafs last game but will return to the crease on Thursday and likely be the undisputed starting goalie for the team as long as Joseph Woll is out of the lineup. The 26-year-old Samsonov has been wildly inconsistent this season but has been significantly better lately, collecting points in each of his last five games (3-0-2) and boasting a .916 SV%. The Maple Leafs are overwhelming -239 home favourites on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have lost four of their last five (1-3-1).
Pearson left the Canadiens game Saturday vs. Buffalo after just 2:50 TOI due to an upper-body injury and was placed on the Injured Reserve Wednesday with expectations to be out for 4-6 weeks. The 31-year-old left-winger had been attempting to put together his first full season since 2017-18 after just 14 games last year. He had four goals, four assists, 47 SOG, 13 PIMs and a -5 plus/minus in 27 games prior to his injury.
Brayden Pachal will draw back into the Golden Knights' lineup on Tuesday as Korczak will be unavailable due to a lower-body injury. The 22-year-old Korczak has quietly had a productive season from the Vegas blue line, posting seven points (1G / 6A) in 15 games while averaging 16:29 time-on-ice.
An injury to Joseph Wall thrust Samsonov back into the crease on Saturday after not playing in five games, but the Russian netminder played one of his best performances of the season, saving all 18 shots he faced in a 4-0 win over the Nashville Predators for his first shutout. Samsonov has been wildly inconsistent this season, posting a 3.21 GAA and .886 SV% through 11 games (5-1-3), but will hope his most recent performance can spark a string of solid play. The Maple Leafs are -116 road favourites on Monday against a New York Islanders team that is suddenly scoring at a high rate, scoring three or more goals in each of their last six contests (4-1-1).
Schmid will take over the Devils' crease for the third time in four games after dropping his previous start surprisingly vs. San Jose after allowing five goals on 17 shots (.706 SV%). The 23-year-old has been a strong contributor to New Jersey's horrific goaltending numbers this season as he is 3-5-1 with a 3.27 GAA and .891 SV%. He will faces the struggling Seattle Kraken, who are in midst of a five-game losing streak and are 29th in the NHL in goals per game (2.65).
Schmid will take over the Devils' crease for the third time in four games after dropping his previous start surprisingly vs. San Jose after allowing five goals on 17 shots (.706 SV%). The 23-year-old has been a strong contributor to New Jersey's horrific goaltending numbers this season as he is 3-5-1 with a 3.27 GAA and .891 SV%. He will faces the struggling Seattle Kraken, who are in midst of a five-game losing streak and are 29th in the NHL in goals per game (2.65).
Samsonov has not played since Nov. 24th and will remain out of the Maple Leafs' lineup Thursday vs. Ottawa due to illness. The 26-year-old goaltender has uncharacteristically struggled mightily this season, with his 4-1-3 record, 3.58 GAA and .878 SV%. Martin Jones has been recalled in a corresponding move.
Hill is listed as day-to-day but will miss at least the next two games as he will not travel with the Golden Knights on their upcoming two-game road trip. Logan Thompson will presumably start both games for the Golden Knights, who have also recalled Jiri Patera from Henderson (AHL).
Schmid gets the rare start on back-to-back nights as he will be the surprise yet deserved starter for the Devils on Friday. The Devils' starting job has swung firmly in Schmid's favour for the first time this season, as the 23-year-old netminder stopped all eight shots he faced in relief of Vitek Vanecek on Tuesday before allowing just three goals on 47 shots in Thursday's 4-3 victory over the Flyers. After a slow start to the season, Schmid currently boasts a .904 SV% thanks to his recent hot streak, and he couldn't ask for a better matchup to keep things rolling with the Devils being massive -500 favourites over the Sharks on Friday.
