Labanc will sit to make way for the return of Zach Werenski (lower-body) as the Blue Jackets are opting to dress seven defencemen. Labanc has two goals and ten assists in 34 games this season.
The 24-year-old Lavoie is yet to register a point through three NHL games in his rookie season. Goaltender Akira Schmid was recalled in a corresponding move.
Both Ilya Samsonov are healthy and dressing for Thursday night's game, so it's unclear why Schmid was recalled. Raphael Lavoie was re-assigned to Henderson in a corresponding move.
Ristolainen exited Sunday's 2-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche after 12:06 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury and has not played since. The 30-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:31 time-on-ice and has 15 points (2G / 13A) in 54 games this season.
Werenski is battling a lower-body injury and could miss a second consecutive game on Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club. Already without Sean Monahan (wrist) and Kirill Marchenko (jaw), the Blue Jackets can ill-afford to be without the elite offensive services of Werenski, who is having a Norris trophy caliber season, with 57 points (17G / 40A) in 53 games.
Allen will surprisingly get the start on Thursday after Nico Daws was in the starter's crease at the Devils morning skate. Allen struggled in his last outing, allowing four goals on 27 shots in a 4-3 loss in Buffalo on Sunday. The 34-year-old netminder owns an 8-10-1 record and a .903 SV% on the season. He draws a challenging matchup on Thursday as the Devils enter action at even odds on the money line.
The Golden Knights will attempt to snap a four-game losing skid on Thursday, turning to Hill between the pipes against the New Jersey Devils. Hill has struggled lately, allowing four goals in four of his last five games (1-2-2), posting a .883 SV%. The 28-year-old netminder has a 2.69 GAA and .900 SV% in 33 games this season (19-10-4). The Golden Knights enter Thursday's contest as -112 road favorites against a Devils squad with a 4-2-0 record in their last six games.
Andersen will make his ninth start of the season when the Hurricanes travel to Minnesota to take on the Wild on Thursday. Andersen struggled in his last outing, allowing four goals on 26 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Kings on Saturday. It was just the second loss of the season for Andersen, who now owns a 6-2-0 record along with a .913 SV%. He's a good bet to get back in the win column on Thursday as the Hurricanes enter action at -180 on the money line.
Philp started the season with Bakersfield (AHL) before making his NHL debut with the Oilers, scoring two points (0G / 2A) in 12 games. The 26-year-old forward has 17 points (9G / 8A) in 28 games with Bakersfield this season.
Bourque has not played since taking a puck to the face on Sunday but could return to action on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 23-year-old Bourque has started to find his game at the NHL level, with seven points (4G / 3A) in his last 14 games after only scoring seven (2G / 5A) in his first 33.
Lyubushkin exited Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks after only 10:47 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury but could return to the lineup on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 30-year-old Lyubushkin is averaging 16:58 time-on-ice, recording 11 points (0G / 11A), 82 blocks, an 62 hits in 53 games this season.
Marner played only 18:47 time-on-ice in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers, well below his 21:28 average time-on-ice through 52 games this season. He did not play on Tuesday but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. The 27-year-old Marner has 19 points (3G / 16A) in his last 13 games.
Stolarz has not played since December 12th due to a knee injury but has progressively ramped up practicing over the previous two weeks and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. The 30-year-old Stolarz was heavily relied upon by the Maple Leafs before his absence, posting a stellar 2.15 GAA and .927 SV% in 17 games (9-5-2). Toronto enters Thursday's contest as -157 road favorites against a Seattle team that has lost four of their last five games (1-3-1).
Manson exited Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks and will be shut down for Colorado's final two games before the two-week hiatus to accommodate the 4-Nations Face-Off tournament. The 33-year-old Manson is averaging 18:12 time-on-ice and has 13 points (1G / 12A) in 43 games this season. Oliver Kylington will return from an undisclosed injury to replace Manson.
Kylington has not played since November 27th due to an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old defenseman has battled a myriad of injuries lately and has been limited to only eight games this season, averaging 12:10 time-on-ice and scoring two points (1G / 1A). He replace an injured Josh Manson (lower body).
Deallandrea has not played since January 23rd, missing fours games, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 24-year-old Dellandra is averaging 11:45 time-on-ice and has five points (1G / 4A) in 41 games this season.
Stolarz has not played since December 12th due to a knee injury but has progressively ramped up practicing over the previous two weeks and will likely return to the crease on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. The 30-year-old Stolarz was heavily relied upon by the Maple Leafs before his absence, posting a stellar 2.15 GAA and .927 SV% in 17 games (9-5-2). Toronto enters Thursday's contest as -157 road favorites against a Seattle team that has lost four of their last five games (1-3-1).
Vanecek has not played an NHL game since suffering an upper-body injury on December 14th but will return to the crease on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. In a brief conditioning stint with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL), Vanecek posted a 2.00 GAA and .917 SV% in one game (1-0-0). He has a 3.84 GAA and .885 SV% in 14 appearances with the Sharks this season (3-8-1). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as +182 home underdogs against a Canucks squad coming off an impressive 3-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
Colorado will likely roll with Blackwood between the pipes for a sixth straight game on Thursday when they visit the Calgary Flames. Blackwood played well in his most recent outing despite a 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%). He has a 2.04 GAA and .926 SV% in 20 games with the Sharks this season (12-6-2). Colorado enters the action on Thursday as -155 road favorites against a Flames club that has scored three or fewer goals in five of their last six games (2-4-0).
Vanecek has not played an NHL game since suffering an upper-body injury on December 14th but will likely return to the crease on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. In a brief conditioning stint with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL), Vanecek posted a 2.00 GAA and .917 SV% in one game (1-0-0). He has a 3.84 GAA and .885 SV% in 14 appearances with the Sharks this season (3-8-1). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as +182 home underdogs against a Canucks squad coming off an impressive 3-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
