Burakovsky is expected to miss his second straight game with an illness. Burakovsky was on the ice in a non-contact jersey on Tuesday but is not expected to play vs. the Sabres. With Burakovsky out, Valeri Nichushkin is expected to skate on the top line with Nathan MacKinnon.
Hellebuyck allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Jets loss in Buffalo on Sunday. Hellebuyck has lost four of his last six starts (2-4-0) while posting a 3.07 GAA and .905 SV%. Tonight he faces a Washington that has stumbled a bit recently, going 3-5-1 while scoring just 2.78 goals per game in their last nine.
Samsonov allowed three goals on 29 shots in the Capitals win in New Jersey on Saturday. Braden Holtby started the last two games but Samsonov will start the second game of their home-and-home with the Jets. Samsonov has gone 0-3-0 with an ugly 4.55 GAA and .855 SV% in his last four outings (three starts). It is the ugliest stretch of his season but he'll face a Winnipeg team that is also on a three-game losing skid.
Mete was hurt in Detroit last Tuesday and will miss the rest of the 2020 season with a fractured foot. With Mete out, Karl Alzner has been recalled on an emergency basis and has played in the last two games.
Kahun was acquired from the Penguins on Monday but his knee injury will keep him from making his Sabres debut on Wednesday. Head coach Ralph Krueger wants him to get into a practice before he plays, so monitor his status leading up to their Friday/Saturday back-to-back.
Simmonds was acquired from the Devils on Monday and will make his debut tonight in Colorado. Simmonds is expected to start on a line with Marcus Johansson and Jeff Skinner and should see some power-play time as well. He hasn't had the best year, posting just 24 points (8G / 16A) in 61 games but could see increased usage with the Sabres.
Hutton stopped 41 of 43 shots in the Sabres win in Pittsburgh last Saturday. Hutton has been excellent in his last six starts, going 5-1-0 with a 2.83 GAA and .916 SV%. As good as he's been, the Avalanche come in playing very well too. They've gone 11-3-1 while averaging 3.20 goals for and 1.93 goals against in their last 15 games.
Greene was forced to leave Tuesday's game with an undisclosed injury early in the first period and did not return. It's unclear how Greene suffered the injury but head coach Barry Trotz called him day-to-day in his post-game media session.
Dal Colle was on the receiving end of a devastating hit by Trouba, which forced him to leave the game and not return. Head coach Barry Trotz called Dal Colle day-to-day, making him questionable for Thursday's game in St. Louis.
Lindholm crashed heavily into the board in the second period and immediately went down the tunnel and did not return. Lindholm was a player that the Ducks could not afford to lose, already being down Cam Fowler and Erik Gudbranson.
Given Fabbri's history of knee injuries, it was obviously a big scare for the Red Wings. However, Dylan Larkin seemed to indicate that Fabbri was doing O.K. but head coach Jeff Blashill had no update on the winger. Expect an update prior to Thursday's game vs. the Wild.
Head coach Jon Cooper said that the injury that Stamkos has been dealing with came up again. Stamkos has only missed a total of six games this season but has been dealing with a lower-body injury on-and-off. With Tampa Bay sitting comfortably in second in the Atlantic Division, don't be surprised if Stamkos misses some time to ensure he's 100 percent for the playoffs.
Rosen was acquired from the Avalanche at the trade deadline and his services will be required right away. Jake Muzzin will miss four weeks with a broken hand so Rosen or Martin Marincin will draw into the lineup on Thursday. Rosen has 15 points (3G / 12A) in 35 AHL games this season and four points (1G / 3A) in 16 career NHL games.
Muzzin was forced to leave Tuesday's game after blocking a shot and it was announced on Wednesday morning that he broke his hand. Muzzin, who the battered Maple Leafs could ill afford to lose, will miss at least one month. Four weeks will cause Muzzin to miss roughly 14 games of Toronto's remaining 18 games. Calle Rosen, who was acquired at the trade deadline, has been recalled from the AHL to replace Muzzin.
Driedger has been out since mid-January with a lower-body injury but will get a few games with Springfield before returning to the Panthers to serve as Sergei Bobrovsky's backup. Driedger is 6-8-0 with a 2.09 GAA and .938 SV% in 14 AHL games this season.
Gibson allowed six goals on 28 shots in the Ducks loss to the Golden Knights on Sunday. Gibson has lost five of his last six starts (1-3-2) while posting a 3.36 GAA and .893 SV%. The Ducks have struggled mightily in front of him, so it's probably wise to leave him on the bench against Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Oilers.
Despite head coach John Tortorella saying that Joonas Korpisalo would start tonight, Kivlenieks will end up getting the nod in Minnesota. He was recalled last night because Elvis Merzlikins was hurt vs. the Senators and tonight will be his fourth start of the season. He's gone 1-0-2 with a 2.41 GAA and .907 SV% in the NHL and 9-8-2 with a 2.97 GAA and. 904 SV% in the AHL
