Buchnevich's status for Thursday night remains unlikely but he seems to be progressing towards a return as he recovers from an upper-body injury. In his two games played this season, Buchnevich has been ineffective, being held without a point or shot on goal. He should slot back onto the top line and top powerplay unit when he returns to the lineup.
This is a promising sign as Carlsson looks poised to make his NHL debut imminently. Carlsson was the second overall pick for the Ducks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft after scoring 25 points (10G / 15A) as an 18-year-old in the Swedish Hockey League. The talented young center will likely slide into a top-6 role when he is deemed fit to play.
Haula is day-to-day and his status remains unclear for the Devils' next game on Friday against the New York Islanders. So far this season, Haula has primarily centred a third line with Dawson Mercer and Alexander Holtz. He has been very effective in this role and is off to a great start, with three points (2G / 1A), nine shots, and four hits in three games.
Grubauer will likely get the start for the Kraken on Tuesday as they search for their first win of the season. The Kraken are +134 home underdogs tonight and will be hard-pressed for a victory against the undefeated Colorado Avalanche (2-0-0). Seattle has started the season on a terrible note, scoring only twice in their first three games (0-2-1). Despite this, Grubauer has played relatively well for the Kraken, recording a 2.55 GAA and .918 SV% in two games (0-2-0). Grubauer struggled last season with a 2.85 GAA and .895 SV% but was consistently good against his former Avalanche club, posting a 1.70 GAA and .928 SV% in three appearances (1-0-1).
Carrier's status for Tuesday night's tilt against the Dallas Stars remains uncertain as he continues to work his way back from an upper-body injury. Carrier has sat out the last two contests for the Golden Knights and has zero points, three shots, one hit, and two penalty minutes in his only game this season.
Howden has served his suspension for two-games for an illegal check to the head on Seattle's Brandon Tanev and will return to Vegas' lineup Tuesday vs. Dallas. The 25-year-old forward had an assist, 15 PIMs and a SOG through 16 shifts and 11:57 TOI in his only game played this season. He is expected to return to his role on Vegas' fourth line alongside Nicolas Roy and Keegan Kolesar.
Husso will make his return to the Red Wings crease on Tuesday after witnessing backup James Reimer make a 23-save shutout in their last contest. In his first two games this season (1-1-0), Husso has shown mixed results, recording a 3.57 GAA and .863 SV%. The Red Wings will hope that competition between him and Reimer can inspire him to elevate his game to last year's early season form that saw him record a .922 SV% and three shutouts in his first 13 games (8-2-3). The Red Wings are +110 home underdogs against a Pittsburgh Penguins team that has outscored opponents 11-6 in their first three games (2-1-0).
Kaliyev will make his season debut after serving a four-game suspension issued to him during the preseason for a knee infraction against Chase De Leo of the Anaheim Ducks. The skilled right-winger is expected to line up on the Kings' third line with Trevor Moore and Phillip Danault. Last season, Kaliyev scored a career-high 28 points (13G / 15A) in 56 games while averaging only 11:41 time-on-ice.
Talbot looks likely to get his second start of the season on Tuesday night as the Kings faceoff against the Winnipeg Jets. The Kings, who have been outscored 10-7 in their first two games, are +120 road underdogs as they search for the first win of the season (0-1-1). In his first game, Talbot allowed four goals on 36 shots in a 5-2 season-opening loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Talbot has the front track for the starting role in Los Angeles but a strong performance tonight against the Jets will go a long way in garnering him more net security.
Campbell looks likely to get the start for the Oilers on Tuesday night and will hope to bounce back from a miserable opening-game performance. Campbell allowed four goals on 16 shots before being relieved by Stuart Skinner en route to an 8-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. The Oilers, who have been outscored 12-4 in their first two contests, are -135 road favourites tonight against the Nashville Predators as they search for their first victory of the season (0-2-0). The starting goalie position is still very much up for grabs in Edmonton and a strong performance for Campbell against the Predators could go a long way in securing some more starts down the line.
Saros is expected to start his fourth straight game for the Predators to open the season. He is pretty well on par with his career 2.57 GAA and .919 SV% so far this season, posting a 2.41 GAA and .920 SV% in three contests (1-2-0). The wins aren't always there for Saros and the Predators but his superb performances have become expected as he has solidified himself as a top-tier goaltender in the NHL over the past half-decade. Saros will be put to the ultimate test Tuesday as the Predators face off against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, who are still searching for their first victory (0-2-0).
Stamkos will miss his second consecutive game as he tends to a lower-body injury. His status is day-to-day as the Lightning hope he can return soon after a torrid start to the season, recording four points (2G / 2A) in his first two games. He was replaced by Nick Paul on the top powerplay unit in his first game out of the lineup.
Boyd made his season debut Monday vs. the New York Rangers but will head back to the press box Tuesday as a healthy scratch against the New York Islanders. The 30-year-old forward will be replaced by Michael Carcone on Arizona's fourth line. In his only appearance Monday, he failed to pick up any counting stats across 13 shifts and 9:06 TOI.
Stecher made his season debut Monday in a victory over the New York Rangers but will be a healthy scratch Tuesday as Arizona heads to Elmont to face the New York Islanders. The 29-year-old had one shot across 23 shifts and 17:38 TOI in his debut but will head to the press box Tuesday for Josh Brown.
Brown was a healthy scratch for Arizona's victory over the Rangers on Monday but will draw back into the lineup Tuesday vs. the New York Islanders. The 29-year-old defensemen will be replacing Troy Stecher in the Coyotes' lineup. In his one-game of action this season, he has one SOG through 13:14 TOI.
Carcone was a healthy scratch for Arizona's win vs. NYR on Monday but will draw back into the lineup Tuesday as Arizona takes on the New York Islanders. The 27-year-old forward has only appeared in one game this season and failed to pick up any counting stats across 9:10 TOI. He will replace Travis Boyd in the Coyotes' lineup Tuesday.
Rookie Devon Levi has had some struggles out of the gate but the Buffalo Sabres aren't changing course as he will get his third consecutive start of the season. In his first two games, Levi has failed to record a victory (0-2-0) while posting a 3.55 GAA and .881 SV%. The Sabres are slight favourites at home tonight (-116) but will need Levi's high pedigree to be on display if they hope to shut down the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are averaging 3.67 goals per game in their first three contests (1-2-0).
Mayfield was forced to leave the Islanders' opening game vs Buffalo after just 16:47 TOI after taking a shot to the leg and is considered day-to-day and will miss Tuesday's matchup vs. Arizona. The 31-year-old defensemen is coming off a career season in 2022-23 which saw him collect highs in goals (6), assists (18), SOG (119), and PIMs (83) and will be hoping to be back sooner rather than later.
Bolduc is expected to draw into the lineup and make his season debut on Tuesday night. The #57 overall pick of the Islanders in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft recorded three points (2G / 1A) in 17 games last season. He is expected to line up next to Sebastian Aho on the Islanders' third defensive pair.
Goligoski suffered a lower-body injury after playing 16:04 in Minnesota's 7-4 Saturday night loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. In his two games this season, Goligoski has zero points, four penalty minutes, two hits, and a -3 plus/minus rating. Dakota Mermis will likely replace Goligoski on defence.
