Chinakhov has not played since November 27th but appears ready to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before his injury, the 23-year-old Chinakhov was averaging a career-high 17:01 time-on-ice, scoring 14 points (7G / 7A) in 21 games.
The Islanders have won two straight and will likely roll with Sorokin between the pipes on Monday against the New York Rangers. Sorokin allowed four goals on 28 shots (.857 SV%) in his most recent outing but received ample goal support in a 7-4 win over the Nashville Predators. The 29-year-old Sorokin has a 2.79 GAA and .904 SV% in 44 games this season (22-18-4). The Islanders enter Monday's contest as slight -100 road underdogs against a Rangers squad that defeated the Nashville Predators 4-0 last night.
Bains played the previous game for the Canucks and was at practice on Sunday but has been reassigned to Abbotsford (AHL). The 24-year-old Bains has one point (1G / 0A) in 13 games with Vancouver this season.
With Calle Jarnkrok (sports hernia) poised to make his season debut on Monday, Reaves will be the odd-man out of the lineup as a healthy scratch. The 38-year-old Reaves is averaging 7:48 time-on-ice, recording two points (0G / 2A), 28 penalty minutes, and 103 hits in 35 games this season.
Jarnkrok has not played this season, aggravating an injury during the preseason, suffering a setback, and ultimately undergoing surgery to address a sports hernia. The 33-year-old Jarnkrok had provided a steady dose of secondary offense in two seasons with the Maple Leafs, scoring 60 points (30G / 30A) in 125 combined games. Ryan Reaves will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Jarnkrok's return.
Maatta has impressed in his first season with Utah, earning himself a three-year contract extension. The 30-year-old defenseman started the season with the Detroit Red Wings before being traded to Utah. He has 14 points (2G / 12A) through 51 games and is averaging 20:41 time-on-ice, his highest total since his second NHL season in 2014-15.
Steeves last played for the Maple Leafs on February 25. The 25-year-old Steeves has two points (1G / 1A) in seven contests with the Maple Leafs this season. He returns to the Marlies (AHL), where he has an impressive 46 points (29G / 17A) in 40 games.
Jonathan Quick led the Rangers to a 4-0 victory over the Nashville Predators yesterday, but the club will switch to Shesterkin between the pipes on Monday against the New York Islanders. The 29-year-old Shesterkin allowed three goals on 17 shots (.824 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. In his last nine games (3-6-0), Shesterkin has an ugly 3.77 GAA and .862 SV%. The Rangers enter the action on Tuesday as slight -110 home favorites against an Islanders squad they defeated 5-1 on February 25th.
With the March 7th trade deadline quickly approaching, Smith was held out of the lineup on Sunday and will be sidelined again on Monday for roster management purposed. The 33-year-old Smith is an impending UFA. He is averaging 15:36 time-on-ice and has 29 points (10G / 19A) in 58 games this season.
Joseph exited Saturday's game due to an upper-body injury and did not play on Sunday. The 25-year-old Joseph is averaging 15:16 time-on-ice and has three points (0G / 3A) in 47 games this season.
The Kings have been outscored 13-5 during a three-game losing skid and will hope for a better result on Monday with Kuemper between the pipes against the Chicago Blackhawks. Kuemper struggled in his most recent outing, allowing six goals on 32 shots (.813 SV%) in a 6-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. The 34-year-old Kuemper has a 3.14 GAA and .887 SV% in his last eight games (4-3-1). The Kings enter Monday's contest as -257 road favorites against a Blackhawks squad that snapped a five-game losing skid in their previous game, a 6-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks.
Nurse has missed two straight due to an undisclosed injury but will likely return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 30-year-old Nurse has 22 points (4G / 18A) in 55 games this season but has been held off the scoresheet in eight straight.
Zegras was issued a three-game suspension for a hit on Michael Rasmussen of the Detroit Red Wings last week. The 23-year-old Zegras will be eligible to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers. He is averaging 17:03 time-on-ice and has 16 points (7G / 9A) in 34 games this season.
Harding was a seventh-round pick, 223rd overall, of the Penguins in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old defenseman is in his third OHL season and has 55 points (7G / 48A) in 59 games with the Brampton Steelheads.
