With a bunch of Hurricanes forwards in COVID-19 protocol, Noesen is set up to make his Hurricanes debut on Thursday. The 28-year-old veteran has 54 points (31G / 23A) in 205 career NHL games with the Ducks, Devils, Penguins, Sharks and Maple Leafs.
With a bunch of Hurricanes forwards in COVID-19 protocol, Drury is set up to make his NHL debut on Thursday. The 2018 second-round pick has scored seven goals with nine assists (16 points) in 23 AHL games this season.
Poturalski was recalled prior to Tuesday's game, which was postponed, and then sent back on Wednesday. That was likely just a paper transaction, so look for the AHL leading point scorer to make his season debut on Thursday.
Czarnik quickly returns to the NHL with Mathew Barzal landing in COVID-19 protocol and should draw into the lineup on Thursday. He had a strong showing with the Islanders earlier in the season, scoring one goal with two assists in four games. He's also compiled 15 points (6G / 9A) in 20 AHL games.
Norlinder was a third-round pick of the Canadiens in 2019 and appeared in six NHL and six AHL games during his time in North America. He'll return to Sweden, where he had 10 points (5G / 5A) in 37 games with Frölunda last season for the rest of the SHL season.
It's unclear what this means for the status of Jake Allen or Samuel Montembeault but Primeau will likely backup regardless of who is ailing. Primeau is 8-6-1 with a 2.77 GAA and .912 SV% in 16 AHL games this season.
Labanc needs surgery on his dislocated shoulder that he suffered last Saturday. The surgery will likely keep him out until after the Olympic break.
With Michael Rasmussen and Robby Fabbri entering COVID-19 protocol on Wednesday, Criscuolo and Taro Hirose have been called up to travel to Carolina. Criscuolo is second on the Griffins with 17 points (9G / 8A) in 15 games.
With Michael Rasmussen and Kyle Criscuolo entering COVID-19 protocol on Wednesday, Hirose and Kyle Criscuolo have been called up to travel to Carolina. Hirose is leading Grand Rapids with 19 points (4G / 15A) in 22 games this season.
Frost was pulled from Tuesday's game and entered COVID-19 protocol. As of now, he's the only Flyers player who has tested positive.
Verhaeghe is one of five Panthers that entered COVID-19 protocol this week, putting Thursday's game vs. the Kings in jeopardy.
Montour is one of five Panthers that entered COVID-19 protocol this week, putting Thursday's game vs. the Kings in jeopardy.
Gudas is one of five Panthers that entered COVID-19 protocol this week, putting Thursday's game vs. the Kings in jeopardy.
Bennett is one of five Panthers that entered COVID-19 protocol this week, putting Thursday's game vs. the Kings in jeopardy.
Mantha was placed on IR on November 5th and moved to LTIR on Wednesday to make room for Nicklas Backstrom to be added to the roster ahead of his season debut.
The good news for the Capitals is that Backstrom will make his season debut on Wednesday. The bad news is that they will be without Evgeny Kuznetsov, who was added to the COVID-19 protocol list. With Kuznetsov out, Backstrom may centre the top line next to Alex Ovechkin. Backstrom had 15 goals and 38 assists (53 points) in 55 games a season ago.
Kuznetsov will miss Wednesday's game vs. the Blackhawks as he tested positive for COVID-19 for the third time. This is a tough break for the Capitals, who were finally expected to get Nicklas Backstrom back in the lineup on Wednesday.
The Devils are worried about Jonathan Bernier's health, so they were looking for cheap goaltending help. Gillies showed he can handle the NHL in his season debut on Sunday, stopping 36 of 39 shots in a loss to the Ducks. The former third-round pick is 4-5-2 with a 2.72 GAA and .905 SV% in the NHL.
