Imama had been on the IR since February 7th due to an upper-body injury but is healthy and has been activated on Thursday ahead of Pittsburgh's game vs. Philadelphia. The 28-year-old left-winger had failed to pick up a point in any of his six appearances so far this season and will likely return to his bottom-six role as a depth forward for the Penguins upon his return.
With Matthew Nieto being assigned to the minors, Emil Bemstrom will take his spot on Pittsburgh's roster and is expected to draw into the lineup on Thursday vs. Philadelphia. The 25-year-old has only appeared in two games for the Penguins so far in 2024-25 and has failed to pick up a point.
Fresh off a 3-2 overtime win over the Los Angeles Kings last night, the Canucks will likely turn to Silovs between the pipes in the tail end of their back-to-back against the Anaheim Ducks. Silovs has seen limited NHL action this season but was solid in his most recent outing, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Utah Hockey Club earlier this week. He has a 3.82 GAA and .862 SV% in eight appearances this season (1-5-1). The Canucks enter the action on Thursday as -121 road favorites against a Ducks squad amid a two-game losing skid.
Oliver Wahlstrom will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Brazeau to re-enter the lineup. The 27-year-old Brazeau has already played a career-high 54 games this season, recording 20 points (10G / 10A) while averaging 13:04 time-on-ice.
The Oilers have been outscored 22-11 during a four-game losing skid and will turn to Skinner between the pipes in a rematch of last season's Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers. The 26-year-old Skinner has had an unspectacular 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.84 GAA and .898 SV% in 39 appearances (20-14-4). He has a 3.33 GAA and .886 SV% in his last 10 appearances (3-5-1). The Oilers enter Thursday's contest as +127 road underdogs against a Panthers squad without Matthew Tkachuk (lower body).
Imama has not played since suffering the injury on February 7th. The 28-year-old forward has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, but has played six games with Pittsburgh, recording zero points while averaging 5:28 time-on-ice.
Rust has not played the previous three games for the Penguins, dating back to before the break for the 4Nations Face-Off, but will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Rust has missed several stints this season due to injury but has been solid when healthy, scoring 42 points (20G / 22A) in 48 games.
The Oilers have lost three straight and will hope for a better fate on Tuesday when they turn to Skinner between the pipes against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 26-year-old Skinner has a 2.81 GAA and .898 SV% in 38 appearances this season (20-13-4). He has allowed eight goals on the last 43 shots he has faced (.814 SV%). The Oilers enter Tuesday's contest as slight -103 road underdogs against a Lightning squad riding a five-game winning streak.
Oliver Wahlstrom will draw back into Boston's lineup on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, resulting in Brazeau being a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Brazeau has already played a career-high 54 games this season, recording 20 points (10G / 10A) while averaging 13:04 time-on-ice.
Crosby was battling an undisclosed injury prior to the 4-Nations Face Off, missing Pittsburgh's final two games before the break, but played was productive while playing all four games for the Canadian team. The 37-year-old Crosby has 58 points (17G / 41A) in 55 games this season.
The Oilers return to action on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers and will turn to Skinner between the pipes. The 26-year-old Skinner has had an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.74 GAA and .900 SV% in 37 games (20-12-4).
Rust missed Pittsburgh's final game before the 4-Nations Face Off due to an undisclosed injury, but will likely return to the lineup on Saturday against the Washington Capitals. The 32-year-old winger last appeared on February 7th and had 13 points in his previous 13 games. Across 48 games played this season, Rust is third on the Penguins in scoring with 20 goals and 42 points.
