Cousins was not on the ice for the Golden Knights morning skate because he is having issues with his visa coming from Canada. Vegas skated with 11 forwards, leaving a spot open for Cousins to skate with Chandler Stephenson and Nicolas Roy on the third line. Consider Cousins as a game-time decision.
Burakovsky is expected to miss his second straight game with an illness. Burakovsky was on the ice in a non-contact jersey on Tuesday but is not expected to play vs. the Sabres. With Burakovsky out, Valeri Nichushkin is expected to skate on the top line with Nathan MacKinnon.
Cousins was an effective bottom-6 forward for the Canadiens this season, posting 22 points (9G / 13A) in 58 games while playing just 13:28 ATOI. In Vegas, he'll help fill a void left by Alex Tuch's injury and should be a third line winger moving forward.
Chabot was hurt early in Saturday's game vs. the Canadiens but will play tonight vs. the Blue Jackets. This is obviously big news for the Senators, but he comes in with just three assists in his last 11 games.
Ullmark suffered a non-contact lower-body injury in Tuesday's loss to the Senators. It looked like it could be a long-term injury but Ullmark catches a break with a 3-to-4 week timetable. Jonas Johansson has been called up from Rochester (AHL) to take his spot on the roster.
Blais has missed the last 28 games with an wrist injury but is set to replace Oskar Sundqvist tonight in Calgary. Blais had eight points (5G / 3A) in 20 games before getting hurt.
Blais has not played since November 19th and underwent surgery on his right wrist on the 21st. Activating him from IR suggests that the winger will make his return to the lineup on Tuesday. He had five goals and three assists (eight points) in 20 games before getting hurt.
Ullmark stopped 35 of 37 shots in the Sabres' 2-1 loss to the Predators on January 18th. Ullmark was playing unbelievable hockey heading into the Sabres' bye week, going 3-1-0 with a 1.50 GAA and .947 SV% in his last four starts. Tonight he faces a Senators team that he's played well against, going 1-1-0 while giving up just four goals on 52 shots (.923 SV%) in two meetings this season.
Batherson appeared in the last seven games before the Senators' bye week, scoring one goal with one assist while playing 16:02 ATOI. With Ottawa getting back in action on Monday, Batherson returns from Belleville, where he leads the team with 46 points (14G / 32A) in 37 games.
Ullmark stopped 28 of 29 shots in the Sabres win in Dallas on Thursday. Ullmark has won three in a row while posting a terrific 1.34 GAA and .948 SV%. Tonight he face a Predators team that has been in a tail-spin since Christmas, losing seven of their last 10 (3-6-1) while scoring 2.80 goals for with 3.70 goals against.
Burakovsky missed Monday's practice with an illness but was on the ice for the morning skate and will play vs. the Stars. Burakovsky has been held without a goal for 11 straight goals, posting four assists and 19 shots (1.7 SOG/gm) over that stretch.
Ullmark stopped 21 of 22 shots in the Sabres 5-1 win over the Red Wings on Sunday. The 26-year-old has gone 3-1-0 with a 2.25 GAA and .920 SV% in his last four starts but will be tested tonight with the Golden Knights in town. Vegas has struggled recently, losing there straight but are expected to get Jonathan Marchessault back after a five-game absence.
Ullmark allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Sabres win over the Panthers. Ullmark has started seven straight games, going 3-4-0 with a 2.62 GAA and .905 SV%. He starts in St. Louis, where the Blues have won six in a row while scoring 3.67 goals per game.
Anthony Duclair is a game-time decision tonight so Batherson comes up in case he can't go. Batherson has dominated the AHL this season, leading the league with 41 points (13G / 28A) in 33 games.
Ullmark surrendered five goals on 26 shots in the Sabres loss to the Lightning on Tuesday. Ullmark lost four consecutive games (0-4-0) while posting a 3.11 GAA and .881 SV%. Despite the rough stretch, the Sabres will start Ullmark for the sixth straight game and for the 11th time in 12 games. He is 7-4-1 with a 2.68 GAA and .914 SV% on home-ice.
Ullmark allowed three goals on 22 shots in the Sabres 3-2 loss in Boston on Sunday. Ullmark has lost three straight while allowing a combined seven goals on 75 shots (.907 SV%) but will make his fifth consecutive start on Tuesday. In his first start against the Lightning, Ullmark allowed three goals on 34 shots in a 3-2 loss (Nov.8).
