Howden has missed the last seven games with an undisclosed injury but is set to play Thursday vs. the Panthers. Howden is expected to draw back into the lineup on the fourth line.
Hertl has had a terrific season, scoring 25 goals with 23 assists (48 points) in 59 games for the Sharks. Hertl has spent all nine years of his NHL career in San Jose since being drafted No.17 overall in 2012. His new deal will take him through the 2029-30 NHL season.
Hill woke up on Monday sore with a recurrence of his lower-body injury that forced him to miss an extended period of time. Hill stopped all 29 shots that he faced in a shutout win over the Kings on Saturday.
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.
