Compher is battling an illness and could be at risk of missing his first game of the season on Wednesday when Detroit hosts the Nashville Predators. The 30-year-old Compher has struggled to find his offensive footing this season, going pointless in his last eight, and scoring only six points (3G / 3A) through 23 contests.
After a dynamic start to the season, the Devils have faltered lately with the prolonged absence of their offensive leader, Jack Hughes (hand). That said, the Devils held on for a 4-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings in their most recent game, courtesy of a 32-save performance (.914 SV%) from Markstrom. The 35-year-old Markstrom has struggled with consistency this season, garnering quality starts in a career-worst 22% of games. He has a 3.75 GAA and .871 SV% in 10 outings (6-3-1). The Devils enter Wednesday's contest as -134 home favorites against a St. Louis Blues team that has only one win in its last six games (1-2-3).
Kindel recorded an assist in his most recent game, snapping a five-game pointless skid, but will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch on Wednesday in a planned effort to control his acclimation to the NHL level. The 18-year-old forward is averaging 15:21 time-on-ice and has eight points (5G / 3A) in 19 games this season.
Jarry has not played since November 3rd, recovering from a lower-body injury, but he will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. Before his injury, Jarry was playing well, posting a 2.60 GAA and .911 SV% in seven games (5-2-0), marking his best start to a season in several years. The Penguins have lost two straight (0-1-1), outscored 8-2, and hope to rebound on Wednesday, entering their contest against the Sabres as slight -109 home favourites.
Blumel signed with the Bruins in the offseason, hoping he would have a shot at making the team's opening-night roster, but spent the first six weeks of the season in the AHL. With a myriad of injuries for the Bruins, Blumel has had a favorable deployment in three games, including playing on the top powerplay unit, but he has yet to record a point. The 25-year-old has 13 points (2G / 11A) in 13 games with Providence (AHL) this season.
Matthew Knies joins Auston Matthews (lower body) as a key offensive piece returning to the lineup on Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Maple Leafs have lost seven of their last eight (1-4-3) and will be eager to re-insert Knies into their lineup. The 23-year-old Knies had a breakthrough 2024-25 season and is already on pace to crush his career-bests, with 22 points (5G / 17A) in 19 games this season.
After a forgetful 2024-25 season, posting a career-worst 3.11 GAA and .892 SV% in 58 games (22-29-7), Swayman has been terrific in 2025-26. The 27-year-old American netminder has an absurd .800 quality start percentage, posting a 2.79 GAA and .909 SV% in 15 games this season (9-6-0). He has allowed three or fewer goals in all but three of his outings this season. The Bruins enter Wednesday's contest as +142 road underdogs against an Islanders team that has scored just one goal in its last two games (1-1-0).
Declan Chisholm will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets, allowing McIlrath to re-enter the lineup. The 33-year-old McIlrath has only played two games this season, tallying five hits and one block.
Dowd has missed four straight games due to an undisclosed injury, but could return on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 35-year-old Dowd is averaging 15:08 time-on-ice and has five points (1G / 4A) in 19 games this season.
Dylan McIlrath will draw back into Washington's lineup on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets, sending Chisholm to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Chisholm is averaging 14:37 time-on-ice and has one assist in 10 games this season.
Rust did not practice on Monday or Tuesday due to an illness, be will be ready to suit up when the Penguins return to action on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 33-year-old Rust is averaging a career-high 20:09 time-on-ice and has 15 points (5G / 10A) in 19 games this season.
Pontus Holmberg (undisclosed) returns to Tampa Bay's lineup on Wednesday, resulting in Finley being a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Finley has played a career-high nine games this season and has two points (1G / 1A).
Holmberg (undisclosed) has not played since November 8th, but he will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Calgary Flames. The 26-year-old Holmberg has five points (1G / 4A) in 15 games this season. Jack Finley will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Holmberg's return.
The Panthers are coming off an explosive 8-3 win over the Nashville Predators with Daniil Tarasov tending the twine, but they will return to the services of their starting netminder on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Bobrovsky will look to rebound after a poor performance in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 17 shots (.765 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky has a 2.80 GAA and .887 SV% in 16 games this season (10-6-0). The Panthers enter the action on Wednesday as -173 home favorites against a Flyers team coming off a 3-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Jarry has not played since November 3rd, recovering from a lower-body injury, but he will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. Before his injury, Jarry was playing well, posting a 2.60 GAA and .911 SV% in seven games (5-2-0), marking his best start to a season in several years. The Penguins have lost two straight (0-1-1), outscored 8-2, and hope to rebound on Wednesday, entering their contest against the Sabres as slight -109 home favourites.
The Islanders have been playing well lately, with a 7-3-0 record in their last 10 games, and they will turn to Sorokin to tend the twine on Wednesday against the Boston Bruins. After a poor start to the season, Sorokin has shown glimpses of his elite form in recent weeks, posting a 1.80 GAA and .938 SV% in eight games (5-2-1). He has a 2.67 GAA and .905 SV% in 15 games this season (7-6-2). The Islanders enter Wednesday's contest as -158 home favorites against a Bruins team that defeated them 4-3 in a shootout earlier this month.
The Capitals are coming off a 5-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets and will turn to Lindgren on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 31-year-old Lindgren has had an up-and-down campaign, posting a subpar 3.14 GAA and .889 SV% in eight appearances (3-3-1), but he has recorded a win in two consecutive starts. The Capitals enter Wednesday's contest as -149 home favorites against a struggling Jets team that has been outscored 7-3 in their last two games (0-2-0).
Ivan played a prominent role with the Avalanche during the 2024-25 season, making his NHL debut and scoring eight points (5G/3A) in 40 games. That said, the 23-year-old Czech forward has played exclusively in the AHL through 2025-26, scoring six points (2G / 4A) in 18 games with the Eagles.
Luca Pinelli will make his NHL debut on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, sending Christiansen to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Christiansen is averaging 10:31 time-on-ice and has one assist in 19 games this season.
Pinelli was a fourth-round pick, 114th overall, by the Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old forward has yet to play an NHL game and has 10 points (5G / 5A) in 13 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season. Jake Christiansen will exit the lineup to accommodate Pinelli's debut.
