Ekholm has been a staple on Edmonton's blue line this season, averaging 22:51 time-on-ice, his highest total in three seasons. The 34-year-old defenseman has 18 points (6G / 12A) and 62 blocks in 43 games this season.
Tavares is producing at another near point-per-game pace with 42 points (20G / 22A) in 43 games this season. That said, the veteran forward has been held off the scoresheet in three straight. An update on Tavares should be provided before the Maple Leafs return to action at home on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils.
McCabe has not played since being injured in a fight with Philadelphia's Garnet Hathaway on January 5th. The 31-year-old McCabe has been a steadying force on Toronto's blue line and is averaging 20:52 time-on-ice, recording 11 points (1G / 10A), 68 blocks, and 72 hits in 36 games this season.
Motte was limited to 7:15 time-on-ice before exiting Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks with an upper-body injury. The 29-year-old Motte has been in and out of the lineup this season but has played eight straight games. He has four points (2G / 2A) and 35 hits in 27 games this season.
On the front end of a challenging back-to-back, Edmonton will turn to Pickard between the pipes on Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild. Pickard has been unspectacular in the Oilers' crease this season but has yielded positive results, posting a 2.50 GAA and .896 SV% in 16 appearances (10-4-0). The Oilers are coming off a 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings and enter the action on Wednesday as -226 road favorites against a Minnesota team they defeated 7-1 on December 12th.
The Penguins have struggled for a large portion of the 2024-25 season, with Jarry not being an exception. After a horrendous start to the Season, Jarry spent several weeks with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, attempting to regain his form. He returned to the lineup in mid-November and, albeit showcasing better results, still struggled, posting a .893 SV% in 18 games (7-6-4).
Noesen did not play in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Florida Panthers and will likely not play on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old Noesen is far-and-away having his best offensive season, scoring 28 points (17G / 11A) in 45 games.
Kaprizov returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday but will remain out of the lineup against the Edmonton Oilers, missing a 10th straight game. He is still considered day-to-day, but updates have been few and far between regarding his status. Before his injury, the 27-year-old Kaprizov was having an excellent campaign among the league leaders, scoring 50 points (23G / 27A) in 34 games.
Finley made his NHL debut on Tuesday, playing 8:26 time-on-ice while filling in for Brayden Point (healthy scratch). Finley was a second-round pick, 57th overall, of Tampa Bay in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old forward has six points (2G / 4A) in 10 games with the Syracuse Crunch (AHL).
The Hurricanes have struggled to find victories with Pyotr Kochetkov between the pipes lately, so they will likely turn to Tokarski for the third time in the past six games. The 35-year-old Tokarski was excellent in his most recent outing, saving all 14 shots he faced for his third career shutout in a 2-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks. He has a 2.00 GAA and .907 SV% in five games this season (4-1-0). The Hurricanes enter Wednesday's contest as -197 road favorites against a Buffalo Sabres club coming off a 6-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken.
Hintz exited Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs due to an undisclosed injury early in the first period after only 2:27 time-on-ice. The Stars, already without top-six forwards Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment, can ill-afford to lose Hintz's production. The 28-year-old Hintz only has 27 points (19G / 8A) in 41 games this season but has been more productive lately, with 11 points (8G / 3A) in his last 14 games.
Girard has not played the previous three games due to an undisclosed injury but has returned to practice. The 26-year-old Girard is averaging 21:10 time-on-ice and has 18 points (2G / 16A) in 42 games this season.
Nichushkin has not played since December 31st and has missed seven straight games. Originally given a day-to-day timeline, Nichushkin, and the Avalanche have been patient with his recovery and have not rushed his return to the lineup. The 29-year-old winger has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.
Rifai was recalled by the Maple Leafs last week but failed to draw into the lineup. The undrafted 26-year-old defenseman has four points (2G / 2A) in 26 games with the Marlies (AHL) this season.
Chabot was limited to only 4:04 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 2-0 win over the New York Islanders, exiting the contest after taking a puck to the face. The 27-year-old Chabot has 19 points (3G / 16A) in 43 games this season.
Guenette was recalled by Ottawa last week but failed to draw into the lineup. The 23-year-old defenseman has nine points (3G / 6A) in 27 games with the Belleville Senators (AHL) this season.
Chytil has not played since January 7th but will draw back into the lineup on Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 25-year-old Chytil is averaging 14:02 time-on-ice and has 17 points (10G / 7A) in 33 games this season.
Kreider has not played since January 4th but will draw back into the lineup on Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 33-year-old Kreider has struggled this season with only 15 points (13G / 2A) in 34 games but was playing better lately, scoring three points (2G / 1A) in three games before his injury.
Guenther, who is out indefinitely, was shifted to injured reserve to make way for John Marino's (lower back) Utah debut. The 21-year-old Guenther has 34 points (16G / 18A) in 40 games this season but has only scored two (0G / 2A) in his past eight.
Marino was acquired in a trade from the New Jersey Devils in the offseason but underwent surgery that has cost him the first three months of the season. The 27-year-old Marino had four goals, 25 points, 41 PIMs and 57 SOG in 75 games played with New Jersey in 2023-24.
