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.
Hagg has played in 12 straight games but will be a healthy scratch vs. the Islanders on Tuesday. Mark Pysyk will draw back into the lineup to replace him.
Stone has been battling a back issue all season, so he'll get some time to rehab. The move also clears cap space for the Golden Knights to activate Jack Eichel (neck) ahead of his debut on Wednesday. Golden Knights GM said that it's impossible for the team to predict how long they will be without Stone but that they are hopeful that surgery will not be required.
Eichel was acquired from the Sabres in early November and has been cleared to make his debut on Wednesday after missing the first four and a half months following neck surgery. To make room for Eichel, the Golden Knights had to put Mark Stone (back) on LTIR. Eichel will start on the top line with Max Pacioretty and Evgenii Dadonov in his debut, as well as the top power-play unit.
The Golden Knights are in the second half of a back-to-back and Stone will not be available against the Flames. Evgeni Dadonov will likely move up to into the top-6 to replace Stone.
Whitecloud missed the Golden Knights' final game before the All-Star break and will miss at least the first two games after. For now, he's been ruled out for the two-game road trip, so monitor his status as the Golden Knights return home for next Wednesday's game vs. the Avalanche.
Eichel removed the no-contact jersey and was a full participant in Monday's practice. Eichel skated on the "fifth" line with Nolan Patrick and Michael Amadio, so he's not ready to play yet, but he is nearing his Golden Knights debut.
Whitecloud will miss the Golden Knights' final game before the All-Star break due to an undisclosed injury. The Golden Knights may also be without Nic Hague but could get Alec Martinez vs. the Sabres.
