Liljegren was a late scratch on Thursday ahead of game time due to an upper-body injury and is not expected to be out week-to-week but is luckily expected to return before the playoffs. The 24-year-old had been playing exceptionally as of late with six points (1G/5A) in his last seven games while occupying Toronto's top powerplay unit.
Vilardi has missed the Jets' last 15 games due to an upper-body injury but looks just about ready to return on Saturday vs. Ottawa after taking full part in practice Friday (including powerplay). The 24-year-old's return could not come at a better time as Winnipeg finds themselves in the midst of a season-worst five-game losing streak. When healthy, Vilardi is extremely effective as he has 16 goals and 30 points in 38 games played this season.
Graves was forced to leave Pittsburgh's game on Thursday after just seven shifts and 5.27 TOI due to a concussion and is now considered out indefinitely as the Penguins are without a timetable for his return. The 28-year-old stay-at-home defensemen has enjoyed another solid but quiet season in Pittsburgh, with his three goals, 14 points, 30 PIMs and +10 plus/minus through 70 games before his injury.
Fast has missed the Hurricanes' previous five games due to injury but is "probable" to suit up on Saturday vs. Montreal according to head coach Rod Brind'Amour. The 32-year-old has been enjoying a solid season in his usual bottom-six role with six goals, 18 points, 70 SOG and 14 PIMs in 66 GP and 12:46 TOI per game.
Head coach Luke Richardson described Zaitsev's departure as a combination of illness and a nagging upper-body injury. Jarred Tinordi would likely come into the lineup to replace Zaitsev if he's unavailable for Saturday's game in Philadelphia.
Stastney returned to the Predators lineup last Wednesday but abruptly exited the contest after playing 13:27 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. Stastney spent an early portion of the season with the Predators but has spent most of the 2023-24 campaign in the AHL. In 44 games with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL), he has 20 points (5G / 15A).
Evans left Sunday's contest vs. Montreal due to a lower-body injury after only 2:22 TOI and did not play on Tuesday. The 22-year-old rookie looks likely to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks and will look to add to his eight points (1G/7A) and 30 SOG in 25 games.
Lindgren left last Sunday's game after a scary leg injury that fortunately left him with only a week-to-week prognosis and will be able to return on Thursday. The 26-year-old defenseman has two goals, 13 points, 60 SOG, 30 PIMs and a +19 plus/minus through 66 games played before his injury.
Kylington has been a regular in the lineup since making his season debut in January but will miss his first game since then due to an undisclosed ailment. The 26-year-old Kylington has five points (2G / 3A) while averaging 16:44 of time-on-ice through 24 games this season.
Foligno is a surprise scratch on Thursday, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. He has ten goals and 12 assists in 55 games this season.
Krug's status for Thursday's game against the Calgary Flames was up in the air as he is battling an illness. The veteran blueliner has struggled lately, scoring only one point (0G / 1A) in his last six games.
Czarnik was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Justin Holl will come into the lineup in his place, as the Wings will be forced into dressing seven defensemen.
Kane was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Daniel Sprong will come into the lineup in his place.
Giordano will play his first game since suffering a concussion in a game against the Coyotes on February 29th. Giordano will fill in for Timothy Liljegren on Thursday, who is sidelined with an upper-body injury.
Matthews did not participate in the morning skate on Thursday due to an illness and was a game-time decision against the Washington Capitals. The 26-year-old Matthews leads the league with 59 goals and is only one shy of his career-high. Matthews has 11 points (4G / 7A) during a five-game point streak.
Liljegren is a surprise scratch for Thursday's game as the team gave no indications of a potential injury prior to warmups. His absence makes way for the return to Giordano (concussion), and Connor Timmins will likely move up to the top power-play unit in his place.
After returning from an 11-game absence due to a lower-body injury, Seguin played three straight, scoring four points (2G / 2A), before having the night off to rest in the Stars' last outing. He was replaced by Ty Dellandrea, who will serve as a healthy scratch upon Seguin's return.
Lindgren left last Sunday's game after a scary leg injury that fortunately left him with only a week-to-week prognosis. The 26-year-old defenseman has two goals, 13 points, 60 SOG, 30 PIMs and a +19 plus/minus through 66 games played before his injury.
Lindholm will miss a second straight game as he battles an undisclosed ailment. The 29-year-old Lindholm has struggled since joining the Canucks, scoring only nine points (5G / 4A) in 22 games, but scored a point in consecutive games before exiting the lineup.
Joshua hurt his hand in a fight on February 13th against Chicago and has not played since. The 27-year-old had been enjoying a breakout season in his fourth year in the NHL, with 13 goals, 26 points, 69 SOG, 46 PIMs and +16 plus/minus in 53 games before his injury.
