Clague played in the season opener but sat out the last two games. On Thursday he is expected to replace Kurtis MacDermid and skate on the third line with Sean Walker. He had one shot and two PIMS in 15:19 TOI last Thursday.
Riikola suffered an upper-body injury midway through Tuesday's overtime win over the Capitals and is expected to miss an extended period of time. The Penguins' blueline is in trouble with Riikola, Mike Matheson and Marcus Pettersson all out for at least a couple of weeks.
Gilbert played 9:54 TOI in his season debut on Tuesday. Gilbert played because Ian Cole was traded for Greg Pateryn a few hours before the game. With Pateryn available on Thursday, Gilbert will be scratched.
Johnson played 11:47 TOI in his season debut on Tuesday but will come out of the lineup so Bowen Byram can make his NHL debut in Los Angeles. The Avalanche are easing Johnson back into action after he missed training camp with COVID-19.
Pateryn was acquired from the Wild for Ian Cole earlier in the week and will make his Avs debut in Los Angeles. Pateryn and Bowen Byram and will draw in to replace Erik Johnson and Dennis Gilbert.
Byram was the No.4 overall pick in 2019 and will replace Erik Johnson and make his NHL debut in Los Angeles. The 19-year-old blueliner was a standout at the 2021 World Juniors, picking up five points (1G / 4A) in seven games on the Silver Medal-winning Canadian team. In 2020, Byram had 14 goals and 38 assists (52 points) in 50 games with the Vancouver Giants (WHL).
Pettersson left Tuesday's game vs. Washington with an upper-body injury that he suffered on a hit from T.J. Oshie. With Pettersson out week-to-week, Cody Ceci will likely draw back into the lineup for Pittsburgh on Friday. If he misses two weeks, he'll miss roughly seven or eight games.
Erne, who has missed the last two games in COVID-19 protocol, will miss at least two more games as he remains in quarantine while the Red Wings head to Chicago for a two-game trip vs. the Blackhawks.
Fabbri, who has missed the last two games in COVID-19 protocol, will miss at least two more games as he remains in quarantine while the Red Wings head to Chicago for a two-game trip vs. the Blackhawks.
Samsonov was among four Capitals added to the COVID-19 protocol list on Wednesday after it was determined they were in a hotel room together during the team's recent road trip. "Right now the players are in quarantine and, at this point, I believe it's four games and then under review and so we'll go from there," head coach Peter Laviolette said. With Samsonov out, Vitek Vanecek is expected to take over as the Capitals' No.1 and Craig Anderson was promoted to be the backup.
Orlov was among four Capitals added to the COVID-19 protocol list on Wednesday after it was determined they were in a hotel room together during the team's recent road trip. "Right now the players are in quarantine and, at this point, I believe it's four games and then under review and so we'll go from there," head coach Peter Laviolette said. In addition to Orlov, Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Ilya Samsonov are all expected to be out as well.
Kuznetsov was among four Capitals added to the COVID-19 protocol list on Wednesday after it was determined they were in a hotel room together during the team's recent road trip. "Right now the players are in quarantine and, at this point, I believe it's four games and then under review and so we'll go from there," head coach Peter Laviolette said. In addition to Kuznetsov, Alex Ovechkin, Dmitry Orlov and Ilya Samsonov are all expected to be out as well.
Ovechkin was among four Capitals added to the COVID-19 protocol list on Wednesday after it was determined they were in a hotel room together during the team's recent road trip. "Right now the players are in quarantine and, at this point, I believe it's four games and then under review and so we'll go from there," head coach Peter Laviolette said. In addition to Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov and Ilya Samsonov are all expected to be out as well.
Thornton was hurt early in the third period of Wednesday's loss to the Oilers and did not return. Thornton was not on the ice for Thursday's practice and is scheduled to undergo an MRI. Early indications are that Thornton is going to miss some time. Look for Jimmy Vesey to skate with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner on Friday.
This isn't surprising, considering head coach Paul Maurice listed him as doubtful on Wednesday. Laine skated briefly on Wednesday, so he isn't expected to be sidelined long-term.
Vesalainen sat as a healthy scratch in the first three games of the season but will draw into the lineup on Thursday. Head coach Paul Maurice did not disclose who Vesalainen will replace but he comes in with one assist in five career NHL games.
Niku appeared in the first three games of the season but will sit in favour of Ville Heinola on Thursday. Head coach Paul Maurice was critical of Niku's game to start the season, so it could be a while before he gets back into the lineup.
