Smith has not played since November 1st, tending to an upper-body injury, but could return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche. Before his injury, the 30-year-old forward had three goals in 13 games.
The Golden Knights will turn to Schmid between the pipes for the 14th time this season when they travel to New Jersey on Friday. Schmid struggled in his last outing, allowing three goals on 18 shots in a 4-1 loss to the Canadiens last Friday. The 25-year-old netminder owns a 9-2-4 record and .896 SV% on the season. Schmid and the Golden Knights enter action on Friday at -130 on the money line.
Hart apparently suffered an injury at practice on Thursday, and as a result will be unavailable on Friday. Jesper Vikman is expected to back up Akira Schmid.
Carter Hart has not played an NHL game since January in the 2023-24 season, but will make his return after a brief conditioning stint in the AHL. The 27-year-old Hart failed to impress with the Henderson Silver Knights, posting a subpar 3.07 GAA and .839 SV% in three games (1-2-0). Still, the Golden Knights are placing their trust in Hart, hoping he can return closer to the 2.94 GAA and .906 SV% he had in 227 career games (96-93-29) with the Philadelphia Flyers before his hiatus from the NHL. The Golden Knights enter the action against the Blackhawks as -277 home favorites.
Saad did not play in the Golden Knights' most recent game, but he will return to the lineup on Tuesday against his former team, the Chicago Blackhawks. The 33-year-old Saad has four points (1G / 3A) in 24 games this season.
On the heels of his first career NHL win, Lindbom has been sent back to the AHL to make room for Carter Hart to be recalled. Lindbom went 1-4-2 with a 3.14 GAA and .870 SV% in seven games during his call-up.
Hart was eligible to play in NHL games starting December 1st, so he gets called up from the AHL ahead of Tuesday's game vs. Chicago. Hart struggled during his three starts in Henderson, going 1-2-0 with a 3.07 GAA and .839 SV%. If he starts Tuesday, it will be his first NHL game since January 20th, 20224.
Schmid only has one regulation loss, but has not been at his best in his last two outings (0-0-2), allowing seven goals on 56 combined shots (.875 SV%). That said, he has given his team a chance on most nights, posting a serviceable 2.47 GAA and .900 SV% in 14 games (9-1-4). It’s unclear what Schmid’s workload will look like, or whether he stays in the NHL, when Carter Hart makes his debut, and Adin Hill (lower body) returns from injury. Still, the 25-year-old Schmid has proven himself as a reliable netminder for Vegas this season.
Dowd has missed five straight games due to an undisclosed injury, and will remain out of the lineup on Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was recently placed on Injured Reserve, but is eligible to be activated at any time. The 35-year-old Dowd is averaging 15:08 time-on-ice and has five points (1G / 4A) in 19 games this season.
Stone has not played since suffering a wrist injury on October 18th, and few updates have been shared during his absence. That said, he was a full participant at Wednesday's morning skate and will return to the lineup against his former team, the Ottawa Senators. The 33-year-old Stone was off to another terrific start before his injury, with 13 points (2G / 11A) in six games. He is expected to play on a line with Mitch Marner and return to a role on the top powerplay unit.
The Golden Knights are coming off a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Utah Mammoth and will revert to Akira Schmid between the pipes on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators. Schmid has been solid for the Golden Knights, helping them record a point in eight straight starts (5-0-3) while posting a 2.40 GAA and .906 SV%. The 25-year-old Swiss goalie has a 2.45 GAA and .902 SV% in 13 games this season (9-1-3). Vegas enters Wednesday's contest as -171 home favorites against a Senators team that averages 3.2 goals per game.
Stone has not played since suffering a wrist injury on October 18th, and few updates have been shared during his absence. That said, he was a full participant at Wednesday's morning skate and could return to the lineup against his former team, the Ottawa Senators. The 33-year-old Stone was off to another terrific start before his injury, with 13 points (2G / 11A) in six games. If he returns to the lineup, he is expected to play on a line with Mitch Marner and return to a role on the top powerplay unit.
Dowd has missed four straight games due to an undisclosed injury, and will remain out of the lineup on Wednesday after being placed on Injured Reserve. The 35-year-old Dowd is averaging 15:08 time-on-ice and has five points (1G / 4A) in 19 games this season.
