Kucherov missed three games while in COVID-19 protocol but will play Thursday in Colorado. Kucherov will return on the first line and top power-play unit and comes in with five goals and 12 assists (17 points) in 11 games this season.
MacKinnon will miss his fourth consecutive game on Thursday but head coach Jared Bednar says he's on track to play Sunday vs. Dallas. Mikko Rantanen will continue as the No.1 centre while MacKinnon is sidelined.
Simmonds stayed back in Toronto on Wednesday to be with his wife for the birth of their child. The Maple Leafs said there was a possibility he would join the team in Calgary and play, but Jake Muzzin will dress as a seventh defenseman to replace him.
Muzzin has missed the last seven games with a concussion but will dress Thursday in Calgary. Muzzin will be the seventh defenseman with Wayne Simmonds out due to personal reasons. Muzzin has one goal and 10 assists (11 points) in 35 games this season.
Helm will play for the first time since January 10th, drawing in on the Avalanche fourth line to replace Mikhail Maltsev. Helm has scored four goals with two assists (six points) in 32 games this season.
Hronek will not be available for five days, which means he'll miss at least one game and will be questionable for Monday's game in Minnesota. It's unclear who will replace Hronek on Saturday but Troy Stecher (IR) skated in his spot on Thursday.
Teravainen was on the ice for the morning skate but remains a game-time decision in Boston. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour said he expects Teravainen to play but it's not 100 percent.
With Trent Frederic returning from injury and Jack Studnicka coming up from the AHL, Steen will take a seat vs. the Bruins. Steen has been held pointless in six straight games.
Studnicka will play Thursday with Patrice Bergeron (upper-body) unavailable. The 22-year-old has spent most of the season in the AHL, where he has 19 points (6G / 13A) in 27 games. He has five points (1G / 4A) in 27 career NHL games and will centre the third line with Trent Frederic and Nick Foligno.
Bryson has played in five straight games but will sit Thursday vs. the Blue Jackets. Bryson has eight assists but is still looking for his first goal through 37 games this season.
Laine missed Wednesday's practice and is questionable to play Thursday in Buffalo. Laine is red-hot right now, scoring multiple goals in three straight games, tallying a total of six goals with three assists (nine points) in his last four games. If he can't play, Carson Meyer will make his NHL debut.
