Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

Pittsburgh Penguins News

Thomas Novak (upper body) has been placed on the injured reserve and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

Novak's absence for the next four to six weeks will be a huge blow to the Predators as he ranked second on the team with 12 points (6G / 6A) in 14 games. Novak was a regular contributor to the Predators' top powerplay unit while regularly playing in the top six at even strength. Cody Glass will likely see his duties elevator while Novak is unavailable to play.

Tommy Novak
Emil Bemstrom will draw back into Columbus' lineup vs. Pittsburgh.

Bemstrom has only played once in the last five games for the Blue Jackets but will draw back in on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Bemmstrom will suit up on a line with Johnny Gaudreau and Cole Sillinger. In 11 games this season, Bemmstrom has four points (3G / 1A), 19 shots, and a -5 plus/minus rating.

Emil Bemstrom
Girard (undisclosed) is listed as a scratch for Monday's game in Seattle.

There was no indication from the team that Girard was in danger of missing Monday's game prior to the Roster Report being finalized shortly before puck drop. The 25-year-old defenseman has registered no goals and one assist in 13 games this season.

Samuel Girard
Skinner will start Monday's game against the Islanders.

The Oilers will turn to Skinner again after he helped them snap a four-game losing streak on Saturday, saving 17 of 18 shots in a 4-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. Monday night's contest against the New York Islanders will mark the Oilers' first game with new head coach Kris Knoblauch after Jay Woodcroft was fired on Sunday. The pressure of a new coach and the Islanders' general inability to score (2.46 GF / GP) attribute to the Oilers being listed as -171 home favourites.

Stuart Skinner
Stuart Skinner was in the starter's crease at Monday's morning skate.

The Oilers will likely turn to Skinner again after he helped them snap a four-game losing streak on Saturday, saving 17 of 18 shots in a 4-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. Monday night's contest against the New York Islanders will mark the Oilers' first game with new head coach Kris Knoblauch after Jay Woodcroft was fired on Sunday. The pressure of a new coach and the Islanders' general inability to score (2.46 GF / GP) attribute to the Oilers being listed as -171 home favourites.

Stuart Skinner
Anthony Mantha (upper body) has been placed on the inured reserve.

Mantha scored two goals in the Capitals' previous game vs. Florida but was forced to leave after 12:58 TOI due to an upper-body injury and has been placed on the injured reserve Friday. The 29-year-old right-winger has started off slow yet again in 2023-24, with his three goals, one assist, 12 SOG, four PIMs and a +1 plus/minus in 10 games played.

Anthony Mantha
Skinner will start Thursday's game in San Jose.

With the surprise waiving of Jack Campbell earlier this week Stuart Skinner is now the Oilers' starter and will take the crease Thursday vs. San Jose. The 25-year-old was an All-Star last season but has been horrendous so far in 2023-24, with his 1-4-1 record, .856 SV% and 3.99 GAA. He takes on the historically struggling San Jose Sharks, who snapped an 11-game losing streak with a victory last game over PHI and are last in the NHL in both shots per game (24.8) and goals per game (1.17).

Stuart Skinner
Stuart Skinner is the expected starter Thursday vs. San Jose.

With the surprise waiving of Jack Campbell earlier this week Stuart Skinner is now the Oilers' starter and is expected to take the crease Thursday vs. San Jose. The 25-year-old was an All-Star last season but has been horrendous so far in 2023-24, with his 1-4-1 record, .856 SV% and 3.99 GAA. He takes on the historically struggling San Jose Sharks, who snapped an 11-game losing streak with a victory last game over PHI and are last in the NHL in both shots per game (24.8) and goals per game (1.17).

Stuart Skinner
Anthony Mantha (upper body) is day-to-day and will miss the next two games after not traveling to New York.

Mantha is coming off his best performance of the season, scoring two goals but exiting in the third period after suffering an upper-body injury. He will miss at least the next two games and could be replaced by Michael Sgarbossa, who was recalled by the Capitals earlier in the week.

Anthony Mantha
Joel Blomqvist has been recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).

The Penguins have recalled Blomqvist from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL as Tristan Jarry is day-to-day after suffering an undisclosed injury on Tuesday. Magnus Hellberg is expected to fill in for Jarry in his absence and will be backed up by Blomqvist in the interim. In seven games at the AHL level (4-2-0), Blomqvist has a 1.91 GAA and .920 SV%.

Joel Blomqvist
Rafael Harvey-Pinard (lower body) took part in Montreal's morning skate but won't play vs. Tampa Bay.

Harvey-Pinard appears to be inching closer to a return but will remain out of the Canadiens' lineup on Tuesday. Harvey-Pinard hasn't played since leaving Thursday's contest against the Arizona Coyotes with a lower-body injury after just six shifts and 5:06 TOI. The 24-year-old has yet to score this season but has four assists, nine SOG, and two PIMs in 10 games played before his injury.

Rafael Harvey-Pinard
Skinner will start Monday's game in Vancouver.

Skinner will draw his third start in four games Monday after taking a breather for Saturday's loss vs. Nashville. The 25-year-old was an All-Star in 2022-23 but has been horrendous this season, with his 1-3-1 record, .861 SV% and 3.62 GAA. He takes on the red-hot Vancouver Canucks on the road Monday, who have won three straight games and lead the NHL in goals per game (4.36).

Stuart Skinner
Stuart Skinner was in the starter's net at Monday's morning skate vs. Vancouver.

Skinner will draw his third start in four games Monday after taking a breather for Saturday's loss vs. Nashville. The 25-year-old was an All-Star in 2022-23 but has been horrendous this season, with his 1-3-1 record, .861 SV% and 3.62 GAA. He takes on the red-hot Vancouver Canucks on the road Monday, who have won three straight games and lead the NHL in goals per game (4.36).

Stuart Skinner