Smith missed Thursday's game in Buffalo with what is now known to be a knee injury. He was sent back to Vegas with Robin Lehner, as both are being evaluated for injuries. Michael Amadio moved up into the Golden Knights' top-6 with Smith out on Thursday.

Kessel played just one shift in Tuesday's win over the Red Wings before leaving to fly back to Arizona to be with his wife for the birth of their child. He is scheduled to arrive in Toronto and be in the lineup on Thursday.

It's unclear what is ailing Smith but he will not be available for Thursday's game in Buffalo. Expect Nic Roy or Evgenii Dadonov to move back into the top-6 with Smith out.

Lehner is dealing with a lower-body injury following Tuesday's loss in Philadelphia and was sent home to be evaluated. With Lehner out, Laurent Brossoit will start Thursday and Logan Thompson has joined the Golden Knights to serve as the backup.

Howden has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury and did not travel out east for the Golden Knights' five-game road trip. Jake Leschyshyn will remain with the Golden Knights and should be in the lineup in Philadelphia.

Whitecloud missed the last six games but is expected to replace Dylan Coghlan (flu) in the lineup on Friday. Whitecloud has scored six goals with six assists (12 points) in 31 games this season.

Coghlan was not on the ice for the morning skate and is not expected to play because of the flu. Zach Whitecloud will return from a six-game absence to replace Coghlan.

Hagg was a healthy scratch in Montreal on Wednesday but will replace Henri Jokiharju (lower-body) in the lineup in St. Louis. Hagg will be back on a pairing with Mark Pysyk.

The Sabres' defensive shuffle continues on Saturday, with Mattias Samuelsson drawing back into the lineup to replace Robert Hagg on Saturday afternoon.

Lehner has been evaluated by doctors and the Golden Knights believe that he will be available to play "sooner than later." Laurent Brossoit is expected to get a few consecutive starts while Lehner is on the shelf.