Evans has five assists, 28 SOG and nine PIMs playing in all 29 of Montreal's games this season but will be a healthy scratch Thursday as Rem Pitlick draws back into the lineup.
Pezzetta has played in the Canadiens' previous three games but will head to the press box yet again as a healthy scratch Thursday. The 24-year-old has a goal, 12 PIMs and 16 SOG while playing limited minutes in Montreal's bottom-six through 16 games this season.
Allen stopped 34 of 35 shots (.971 SV%) in a win over Calgary in one of his strongest starts of the season his last time out. The Canadiens' starter has been up and down this season, as shown by his 9-10-0 record, .901 SV% and 3.26 GAA. He draws the Anaheim Ducks, the league's coldest team after a 7-0 loss to Toronto in their last game, having lost nine of their last ten contests.
Dostal allowed five goals on 15 shots (.667 SV%) as he filled in rather poorly for an injured John Gibson in his previous time out. The 22-year-old has struggled in his two showings this year, with his 0-1-0 record, .849 SV% and 5.38 GAA. He will hope to push his numbers more in the right direction as he takes on the Montreal Canadiens, who are on a back-to-back after coming off a 3-2 loss to Ottawa on Wednesday night.
Schultz was a late scratch for the Kraken's last game due to an undisclosed injury and is questionable to play Thursday vs. Carolina. The 32-year-old has been having a resurgent season, with three goals, 13 assists, 20 PIMs and 42 SOG through 27 games this season.
Georgiev stopped 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) picking up his third straight defeat in a hard-luck overtime loss to the New York Rangers in his last start. The 26-year-old has been sensational in his first season in Colorado, with his 11-5-2 record, .920 SV% and 2.65 GAA. He takes on the Buffalo Sabres, who are coming off a high after a 6-0 win in their last game and rank first in the NHL in goals per game (3.93).
Jones allowed two goals on 10 shots (.800 SV%) as he struggled in a relief performance his previous time out vs. Tampa Bay. The 32-year-old has won consistently despite his mediocre play, with a 13-5-2 record, .888 SV% and 2.95 GAA. He will take on the Carolina Hurricanes, who have not allowed a goal in two straight contests and are third in the NHL in shots on goal (34.8).
Skinner stopped 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%) but picked up the loss in a 2-1 defeat to Minnesota in his last start. The 24-year-old Edmonton native has stolen the Oilers' starting spot, with his 9-7-0 record, 2.76 GAA, and .919 SV%. He will take on the St. Louis Blues, who won their last game 1-0 over Nashville but have lost six of their last eight games.
Tarasov last took the crease for Columbus on Nov. 28, allowing two goals on 36 shots (.944 SV%) as he, unfortunately, took the overtime loss to Vegas. Columbus' third goaltender has been their best this season in limited time, with his 2-3-1 record, 3.17 GAA and .912 SV%. He will face the red-hot Tampa Bay Lightning, who have won five of their last six games and rank fifth in the NHL in goals per game (3.61).
Jones allowed two goals on 10 shots (.800 SV%) as he struggled in a relief performance his previous time out vs. Tampa Bay. The 32-year-old has won consistently despite his mediocre play, with a 13-5-2 record, .888 SV% and 2.95 GAA. He will take on the Carolina Hurricanes, who have not allowed a goal in two straight contests and are third in the NHL in shots on goal (34.8).
Krejci missed the Bruins' last two games due to a lower-body injury but will return Thursday as their second-line centre. The 26-year-old has been having a phenomenal season after taking 2021-22 off, with eight goals, 21 points, and 36 SOG through 23 games played.
Soderblom stopped 29 of 32 shots (.906 SV%) but still managed to pick up his seventh straight loss as he took on Winnipeg in his previous start. The rookie netminder has been hung out to dry this season, posting a 2-8-2 record, .906 SV% and 3.18 GAA. He will face the Vegas Golden Knights, who are first in the Pacific Division after winning their last game 6-5 over Winnipeg.
Oettinger stopped 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) but snapped a two-game winning streak, handing Pittsburgh their sixth straight win in a loss in his last start. Oettinger has been very solid in his third NHL season, with his 11-4-3 record, two shutouts, .916 SV% and 2.49 GAA. He will face the Washington Capitals, who are in the middle of a five game winning streak.
MacEwen has three goals, eight points and 38 PIMs while playing a bottom-six roll all season for Philadelphia and will be a game-time decision Thursday as they take on New Jersey. MacEwen played 12:20 TOI in their previous contest, picking up a fight in the loss.
It seems the bug that is going around the league has hit Boston as Hampus Lindholm will be a game-time decision Thursday vs. Los Angeles. Lindholm is on pace for career numbers this season after an incredibly hot start that saw his collect four goals, 20 points, 22 PIMs and a +20 plus/minus through 28 games so far this season.
Ellers has six goals, 12 points, 14 SOG and 20 PIMs through 30 games played but will be a game-time decision Thursday as he deals with an undisclosed injury. If he is forced to miss time, the Capital's replacement will need to cover his 15:05 ATOI.
Hart allowed five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) for his second straight overtime loss in a defeat to the Arizona Coyotes in his previous start. The 24-year-old's stats have taken a hit as of late as the Flyers continue their downfall, posting an 8-8-6 record with his .909 SV% and a 2.84 GAA. He will try to get back in the Win column as he takes on the high-powered New Jersey Devils, who despite losing three straight, are sixth in the NHL in goals per game (3.59)>
Lindgren stopped 29 of 26 shots (.897 SV%) for his fifth straight win as he beat Chicago in his last start. The Capitals' backup will continue to take the crease as Darcy Kuemper deals with an injury, and has done so successfully for the time being, with his 7-3-2 record, .909 SV% and 2.81 GAA. He takes on the Dallas Stars, who are first in the Central Division and rank third in the NHL in goals per game (3.67).
Lindgren stopped 29 of 26 shots (.897 SV%) for his fifth straight win as he beat Chicago in his last start. The Capitals' backup will continue to take the crease as Darcy Kuemper deals with an injury, and has done so successfully for the time being, with his 7-3-2 record, .909 SV% and 2.81 GAA. He takes on the Dallas Stars, who are first in the Central Division and rank third in the NHL in goals per game (3.67).
