Athanasiou played only 8:48 on Thursday after suffering an undisclosed injury that kept him out of the lineup on Sunday, subsequently making him week-to-week going forward. The speedy forward was averaging 12:45 through 11 games this season, tallying four points (0G / 4A) and 20 shots on goal in the process.
Soderblom will return to Chicago's crease on Sunday after Petr Mrazek got the not against the Lightning on Thursday. Soderblom was effective his last time out, stopping 37 of the 40 shots he faced in last Sunday's 4-2 defeat to the Devils. The 24-year-old netminder owns an .883 SV% and a 3.96 GAA across five starts this season. He's little more than a desperation play today with Chicago being a +225 underdog on the road in Florida.
Brossoit will tend the twine on Thursday, marking his first action since October 28th. As expected, Connor Hellebuyck has been a workhorse between the pipes for the Jets, limiting Brossoit to only two games thus far. In those two games (0-1-1), Brossoit has a much-to-be-desired 3.38 GAA and .873 SV%. The Jets are -129 home favourites against a Nashville Predators team coming off a 4-2 loss against the Calgary Flames, in which they gave up four unanswered goals.
Brossoit will likely tend the twine on Thursday, marking his first action since October 28th. As expected, Connor Hellebuyck has been a workhorse between the pipes for the Jets, limiting Brossoit to only two games thus far. In those two games (0-1-1), Brossoit has a much-to-be-desired 3.38 GAA and .873 SV%. The Jets are -129 home favourites against a Nashville Predators team coming off a 4-2 loss against the Calgary Flames, in which they gave up four unanswered goals.
Martinez missed the Golden Knights' previous game due to an undisclosed injury but is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday vs. Los Angeles after practicing Tuesday. The 36-year-old is in his 15th NHL season and has a goal, an assist, seven SOG and a +1 plus/minus in eight games played this season. He should return to the Golden Knights' second defensive pair.
Vlasic missed the last two games in concussion protocol but will replace Jarred Tinordi in the lineup on Sunday vs. the Devils. Vlasic has picked up three assists, eight SOG and a plus-4 rating in eight games so far this season.
Soderblom was pulled after allowing seven goals on 22 shots in the Blackhawks blowout loss in Arizona on Tuesday. After a strong start to the season, where he stopped 65 of 68 shots in his first two starts, Soderblom has been torched for 12 goals on 46 shots (.739 SV%) in his last two starts. Tonight he'll face a Devils team that will be without Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, but Soderblom and the Blackhawks are still +179 underdogs.
Athanasiou was a healthy scratch for the Blackhawks' previous game vs. Vegas but will draw back into the lineup for Boris Katchouk on Monday in Arizona. The 29-year-old has struggled out of the gate this season as he has no goals, three assists, 14 SOG, and a -2 plus/minus in seven games played.
Soderblom was shelled in his previous start vs Vegas after allowing five goals on 24 shots (.792 SV%) but will take the crease Monday in Arizona. The 24-year-old has been solid this season besides the last game, as he has a 1-2-0 record, .913 SV% and 2.68 GAA. He heads to Arizona to take on the Coyotes on Monday, who are coming off back-to-back losses to Los Angeles and are 23rd in the NHL in goals per game (2.71).
Vlasic left the Blackhawks' game on Friday vs. Vegas after just 11 shifts and 9:53 TOI due to a concussion and will not play Monday against Arizona as he remains in protocol. The injury comes at a terrible time as the 22-year-old towering defensemen had been enjoying an incredibly strong start to the 2023-24 season with three assists, eight SOG, and a +4 plus/minus in eight games this year.
Brossoit allowed four goals on 26 shots in the Jets' loss to the Golden Knights on October 19th. It was a rough season debut for Brossoit, who will give Connor Hellebuyck a night off on Saturday. Montreal is 21st in xGF/60 (3.02) and the Jets are -147 favourites, making Brossoit a decent spot-start option.
Brossoit allowed four goals on 26 shots in the Jets' loss to the Golden Knights on October 19th. It was a rough season debut for Brossoit, who will give Connor Hellebuyck a night off on Saturday. Montreal is 21st in xGF/60 (3.02) and the Jets are -147 favourites, making Brossoit a decent spot-start option.
Sanford is set to make his season debut on Friday after signing a one-year contract with Arizona in the summer. The 29-year-old winger played 16 games with the Predators last season, registering two goals and one assist. He is expected to start Friday's game on a line with Logan Cooley and Michael Carcone.
Athanasiou has struggled so far in 2023-24, with no goals, three assists, 14 SOG, and a -2 plus//minus through seven games, and will be a healthy scratch for the first time this year. MacKenzie Entwistle will replace him in the Blackhawks' lineup as the nine-year veteran takes a seat in the press box.
Dach was placed on the injured reserve with an ankle injury before the start of the season and has now been assigned to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL. The 62nd overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft has yet to play a game at the professional level and is coming off a season in the WHL where he scored 27 points (12G / 15A) in 23 games.
Kurashev has indicated that he is ready to play and will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins as he replaces the injured Taylor Hall (shoulder). Kurashev has not played yet this season and is coming off a 2022-23 campaign where he scored 25 points (9G / 16A) in 70 games. His potential return to the lineup comes just after news broke that teammate Taylor Hall will be week-to-week with a shoulder injury.
Sanford has registered one point (0G / 1A) in three games with the Tuscon Roadrunners this season and will hope to make his NHL season debut for the Coyotes with this most recent call-up. Sanford and Jan Jenik, who were both called up on Monday, are both candidates to cycle in and out of the lineup as Jason Zucker will be out week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
Kurashev has indicated that he is ready to play and will likely return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. Kurashev has not played yet this season and is coming off a 2022-23 campaign where he scored 25 points (9G / 16A) in 70 games. His potential return to the lineup comes just after news broke that teammate Taylor Hall will be week-to-week with a shoulder injury.
