Greiss stopped 10 of 11 shots (.909 SV%) as he picked up the no-decision in a half-game relief effort vs. Chicago his previous time out. The Blues backup has been the better of their two netminders, with his 5-6-0 record, 3.15 GAA and .912 SV%. He will face the Arizona Coyotes, who have lost three of their last four games and rank last in the NHL in shots per game (25.5).
Kuzmenko signed a one-year deal with the Canucks in the offseason after seven season in the KHL. In his first season in North America, Kuzmenko has scored 21 goals with 22 assists (43 points) in 47 games, playing primarily on a line with Elias Pettersson.
Bortuzzo has been out since January 7th due to a lower-body injury but has been activated from the injured reserve Thursday. The 30-year-old is not expected to join the Blues' lineup right away but when he does will be looking to add to the one goal, 19 SOG and 25 PIMs he has amassed across 30 games prior to the injury.
Francouz stopped 26 of 27 shots (.963 SV%) for his fifth win in six games as he beat Seattle in his previous start. The 32-year-old Avalanche backup has been incredibly solid yet again this season, with his 7-6-0 record, 2.47 GAA and .920 SV%. He will take on the Anaheim Ducks, who beat Arizona 5-2 in their last game but are 31st in goals per game (2.4).
Nichuskin will miss time for the third time this season as he is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury and will not play Thursday vs. Anaheim. The 27-year-old has played well when healthy, with his 8 goals, 10 assists, 63 SOG, and +6 plus/minus through 20 games prior to his most recent injury.
Malgin last played on January 5th and had to leave after just 0:47 TOI due to an upper-body injury but will return to the Avalanche's lineup on Thursday. The 26-year-old has two goals, three assists, 59 SOG, and six PIMs through 30 games between Colorado and Toronto this season.
Nieto was traded from the San Jose Sharks to the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday in a deal involving Jacob MacDonald, and Martin Kaut going the other way and will be making his Avalanche debut Thursday. He had eight goals, seven assists, 70 SOG, and a -22 plus/minus in 45 games with the Sharks before the deal.
Crouse has not played since January 17th due to an upper-body injury but will likely be back in Arizona's lineup as they take St. Louis Thursday. The 25-year-old is on pace for his best career season to date, with his 16 goals, 11 assists, 82 SOG, and 22 PIMs across 43 games this season.
Gostisbehere had nine goals, 20 assists, 99 SOG, 28 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 48 games but will be forced to miss 4-6 weeks due to an upper-body injury. It is a big loss for Arizona as the defenseman was second on the team in points.
Vejmelka stopped 35 of 36 shots (.972 SV%) to snap an eight-game losing skid as he beat Vegas in his previous start. The 26-year-old has struggled as of late, which has led to his 12-17-4 record, 3.29 GAA and .904 SV%. He will hope to stay in the win column as he takes on St. Louis, who lost their last two games after a 5-3 defeat to Buffalo Tuesday night.
Makar has missed the Avalanche's previous four games with an undisclosed injury but will return Thursday vs. Anaheim. The 2022 Norris Trophy winner is in the midst of a six-game point streak (4G/5A) and currently ranks fifth among all defensemen with 13 goals and 43 points in 42 games prior to his injury.
Comrie allowed four goals on 22 shots (.818 SV%) for his fifth-straight loss as he was beaten by Seattle in his previous start. The 27-year-old has been the third-best goalie in Buffalo this season, with his 4-8-0 record, 3.67 GAA and .883 SV%. He will face the Winnipeg Jets, who lost their last game 2-1 to Nashville but are 11th in the NHL in goals per game (3.27).
Francouz stopped 26 of 27 shots (.963 SV%) for his fifth win in six games as he beat Seattle in his previous start. The 32-year-old Avalanche backup has been incredibly solid yet again this season, with his 7-6-0 record, 2.47 GAA and .920 SV%. He will take on the Anaheim Ducks, who beat Arizona 5-2 in their last game but are 31st in goals per game (2.4).
Markstrom allowed three goals on 30 shots (.900 SV%) for his third-straight loss as he was defeated by the Colorado Avalanche last start. The 32-year-old has fought the puck all season, with his 13-12-5 record, 2.82 GAA and .895 SV%. He takes on the Chicago Blackhawks, who have lost their last two games and are last in the NHL in goals for (2.39) and second last in shots (26.1).
Bennett missed the Panthers' previous game due to a hand injury but is expected to be back in the Panthers' lineup Friday as they take on Los Angeles. The 26-year-old has 11 goals, 19 assists, 145 SOG, 48 PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 49 games prior to his injury.
Staal was placed on the injured reserve a week ago due to an upper-body injury and hasn't played since January 19th when he left after just 4:16 TOI but is expected to return Friday vs. Los Angeles. The 38-year-old has seven goals, seven assists, 61 SOG, and 16 PIMs through 40 games in a bottom-six role.
Hart allowed four goals on 38 shots (.895 SV%) for his third loss in four games as he was defeated by Los Angeles in his previous start. The 24-year-old has been solid while being called upon nightly by the Flyers, with his 14-14-7 record, 2.97 GAA and .908 SV%. He takes on the Minnesota Wild, who have lost their last three games after a 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay last game.
DeSmith allowed six goals on 39 shots (.846 SV%) but still picked up the victory as he beat Florida in his previous start. The 31-year-old Penguins backup will be relied upon heavily going forward as Tristan Jarry deals with an injury until after the ASG and he will be hoping to improve his 7-9-3 record, 3.34 GAA and .900 SV%. He will face the Washington Capitals, who have lost their last three games after a 3-2 loss to Colorado last game.
