Armia is expected to exit the lineup and be a healthy scratch after playing four straight for the Canadiens, scoring two points (2G / 0A) and firing 11 shots on goal. Michael Pezzetta will draw back into the lineup to replace Armia.
Joel Armia is expected to be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Pezzetta to re-enter the Canadiens' lineup. Pezzetta has not played since November 25th and had only one point (0G / 1A) in his last eight games.
Milano has played in 14 consecutive games but has not provided enough of an offensive punch for a Capitals team that ranks second worst in the league offensively (2.27 GF / GP), scoring zero points and registering only six shots on goal in his last seven games. Most recently, Milano skated on a line with Matthew Phillips and Hendrix Lapierre.
With Derek Forbort on long-term injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, Lohrei has been recalled from the Providence Bruins of the AHL and will likely be with the team until Forbort returns which will not be until, at the earliest, December 31st. The 22-year-old Lohrei made his NHL debut earlier this season, playing well in 10 games with the Bruins, scoring four points (1G / 3A) and averaging 17:35 time-on-ice.
Forbort would first be eligible to return on December 31st when the Bruins visit the Detroit Red Wings as the veteran defenceman nurses an undisclosed injury. Forbort has primarily played this season skating alongside Kevin Shattenkirk. Mason Lohrei has been recalled from the Providence Bruins of the AHL in the interim.
Kreider is dealing with a lower-body concern that kept him from practising on Thursday. Kreider has not missed any time but only has two points (1G / 1A) in his last five games and eight shots on goal. He has also seen his hit production decrease significantly this season, averaging only 0.88 hits per game, the least since his rookie season when he averaged 1.57 hits per game.
Goodrow played only 2:58 time-on-ice on Tuesday, did not participate in practice Thursday, and is considered day-to-day ahead of the Rangers' next game on Saturday against the Washington Capitals. Goodrow has one point in his last seven games (0G / 1A) playing primarily alongside Jimmy Vesey and Tyler Pitlick.
Lindgren allowed three goals on 22 shots (.864 SV%) entering the game in relief of Darcy Kuemper in a 6-0 blowout loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Monday but will likely make his first start in four games for the Capitals on Thursday. Lindgren has easily been the more reliable of the two goaltenders this season for the Capitals, who leave their netminders very little room for error, ranking second-worst in the league offensively (2.27 GF / GP). The Capitals are +124 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that lost 5-4 to the hands of the Florida Panthers last night and have been outscored 9-4 over their last two games (0-2-0).
Ilya Sorokin started the last two games for the Islanders, including allowing four unanswered goals in less than 15 minutes of play en route to a 5-4 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks, prompting the likely start of Varlamov on Thursday. Varlamov is riding consecutive wins for the second time this season, saving 67 of 74 shots faced over that span (.905 SV%). The Islanders and Varlamov have a favourable matchup as -180 home favourites against the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have lost two straight. In his only other matchup against the Blue Jackets this season, Varlamov saved all 34 shots he faced in a 3-0 shutout victory.
Forsberg has strung together two excellent performances and will likely start again on Thursday when the Senators take on the Toronto Maple Leafs. In his last two outings (2-0-0), Forsberg has saved 72 of 74 shots (.973 SV%), a turning point on an otherwise forgettable season in which he had a .850 SV% through his first seven contests (3-4-0). The Senators are +113 home underdogs on Thursday as the Maple Leafs have recorded at least a point in eight of their last nine games (5-1-3).
Davies was the Panthers' sixth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and has signed his first contract with the club, a three-year entry-level deal. The 19-year-old has been tearing up the American Hockey League this season, scoring 31 points (19G / 12A) in 22 games with the Portland Winterhawks.
Ilya Sorokin started the last two games for the Islanders, including allowing four unanswered goals in less than 15 minutes of play en route to a 5-4 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks, prompting the likely start of Varlamov on Thursday. Varlamov is riding consecutive wins for the second time this season, saving 67 of 74 shots faced over that span (.905 SV%). The Islanders and Varlamov have a favourable matchup as -180 home favourites against the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have lost two straight, being outscored 7-4.
Skinner will make his sixth straight start as he goes for his fifth consecutive win Wednesday as he takes on Carolina at home. The 25-year-old has improved his play of late but still has some ugly season totals with his 8-7-1 record, 3.16 GAA and .881 SV%. He will host the Carolina Hurricanes, who have lost two of their last three games but lead the NHL in shots on goal per game (34.5).
Kochetkov will be back in goal for the Hurricanes on Wednesday after Antti Raanta got the call for Monday's game against the Jets. Kochetkov most recently stopped 20 of the 22 shots he faced enroute to a 6-2 victory over the Sabres on Saturday. He owns a 4-4-1 record and an .883 SV% on the season, and things won't get any easier for the young netminder on Wednesday as he's set to take on Connor McDavid and the Oilers.
Thompson will make his third consecutive start on Wednesday as Adin Hill continues to recover from a lower-body injury. Thompson has been stellar in place of Hill, stopping 46 of the 49 shots he's faced (.939 SV%) across his last two starts. On the season he owns a 6-3-3 record to go along with a .919 SV% and a 2.33 GAA. He draws a favourable matchup on Wednesday with the Golden Knights being sizable road favourites (-165) in St. Louis.
Dellandrea is the odd-man out on Wednesday after suiting up in each of the Stars' last two games. He has no goals and one assist in 14 games this season.
We caught a glimpse of the Vasilevskiy of old in his previous start as he shut out the Dallas Stars in a 25 save effort for the sixth time in his career, and he will re-take the crease Wednesday vs. Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old superstar netminder has struggled with his return from back surgery so far this season as he is 2-3-0 with a 3.03 GAA and .887 SV%. He faces the heavy shooting Pittsburgh Penguins, who are on a two-game losing streak but are third in the NHL in shots per game (33.5).
McCormick made his season debut Monday and has been reassigned to the Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL) on Wednesday. The 31-year-old returns to captain the Coachella Valley team where he had eight goals, 17 points and 11 PIMs in 16 games played prior to his original call up to Seattle.
Studenic only appeared in two games for Seattle and was a healthy scratch for their previous game and has been reassigned to Coachella Valley (AHL) Wednesday. The 25-year-old winger returns to the AHL, where he was succeeding with six goals, five assists, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through 15 games prior to his promotion.
Shore has three goals, six points, and a -1 plus/minus in nine games with Coachella Valley (AHL) and has earned himself the call up back to Seattle Wednesday. The 29-year-old centre is in his ninth NHL season and will look to add to the 51 goals and 137 points he has in 431 career games played.
