Kotkaniemi has missed the last six games but will play either Friday in Washington or Saturday vs. New Jersey. The Canadiens don't want the second-year centre to overdue it in his return from injury but it's a good sign that he'll play in at least one of the two games.
Robinson was called up on Monday because Nick Foligno was suspended for three games. The 24-year-old has five points (3G / 2A) in 14 games with Cleveland (AHL) this season and has no points in 14 career NHL games. He is expected to skate on the fourth line with Riley Nash and Emil Bemstrom.
Kotkaniemi will miss his sixth consecutive game with a groin injury and the Habs maintain that he is day-to-day. Montreal doesn't play again until Friday/Saturday, so monitor Kotkaniemi's status as they week progresses towards their back-to-back.
Robinson has three goals and two assists in 14 AHL games this season. The 24-year-old comes up and could make his season debut on Tuesday. He has failed to record a point in 14 career NHL games.
Kotkaniemi practiced on Wednesday and took part in Thursday's morning skate but remains sidelined for Thursday's game in Philadelphia. The Haas are hopeful that Kotkaniemi will be able to return to the lineup on Saturday.
Kotkaniemi missed three games with a groin injury but he will accompany the team to Philadelphia, which makes it possible for him to make his return to the lineup. The second-year centre has had a slow start to the year, scoring two goals with one assist in 12 games before getting hurt.
Fast missed Sunday’s game against the Bruins due to personal reasons but is expected to draw back in on Tuesday. Fast would likely replace Mika Zibanejad, who is questionable with an upper-body issue. Fast has two goals and three assists in eight games this season.
Jankowski was a healthy scratch in San Jose on Sunday but is expected to replace Tobias Rieder vs. the Flyers. Jankowski, who will skate on a line with Sam Bennett and Austin Czarnik, has no points, four shots and a minus-4 rating in five games this season.
Martinook will undergo core muscle surgery on Friday and is expected to be out until late-November/early-December. Former first-round pick Julien Gauthier was recalled on Wednesday and is expected to replace Martinook in the lineup moving forward.
Deslauriers made his season debut on Saturday, playing 11:06 TOI and getting into a fight with Brendan Dillon. He will be replaced on the Ducks fourth line by Nick Ritchie.
It originally looked like Dzingel would miss the first few games of the season with a lower-body injury that he suffered in the preseason. However, Dzingel was back at practice on Wednesday and is skating on the third line prior to Thursday’s season opener. He had 26 goals and 30 assists (56 points) last year and will skate with Erik Haula and Jordan Martinook in his Hurricanes debut.
The Flames D-depth took a hit in August when Valimaki suffered a torn ACL. Michael Stone was signed on Wednesday to help fill that void. Stone and Oscar Kylington will likely battle for the sixth spot to open the 2020 season. Best case scenario, Valimaki returns late in the season and is ready for the playoffs.
Deslauriers had two goals and three assists (five points) in 48 games with the Canadiens last season. Deslauriers is a rugged left winger who will likely play the entire 2020 season on the Ducks fourth-line. He has a career-high of just 15 points (in 2015).
Robinson split the 2018-19 season between the NHL and AHL but failed to register a point in 13 games with the Blue Jackets. During his time in the AHL, Robinson had 12 goals and 12 assists (24 points) in 45 games. He is expected to be a member of the Blue Jackets bottom-6 to start 2019-20.
Martinook continues to battle a lower-body injury and is a game-time decision for Game 4 after missing Game 3. "I hope so, but I'm not sure. We'll find out tonight,” Rod Brind’Amour told reporters about Martinook’s availability for Game 4.
