Jones allowed two goals on 21 shots in the Sharks win over the Blackhawks on Tuesday. It was Jones' first win since October 16th and moved him to 3-3-0 with a 2.86 GAA and .905 SV% on home-ice this year. He has a chance to win two in a row with the Wild in town. Minnesota gives up the eighth most goals (3.40 GA/gm) and averages the fifth-fewest goals for (2.47) in the NHL.
Grubauer is dealing with a nagging lower-body issue that will cost him a few games but nothing long-term. Pavel Francouz will start for him on Thursday and Adam Werner was called-up to serve as his backup while Grubauer is sidelined.
Hintz missed Tuesday's game with a lower-body injury and was originally considered day-to-day but head coach Jim Montgomery announced that their No.2 centre will miss two weeks. Jason Dickinson skated as the Stars No.2 centre last night, so look for that to continue while Hintz is out. Joe Pavelski could always shift back to centre as well.
Kubalik has recorded three goals and three assists in 14 games this season but will come out of the lineup on Thursday. Kubalik will be replaced by Zack Smith.
Smith was a healthy scratch for the last two games but will suit up in his eighth game on Thursday. Smith, who will replace Dominik Kubalik, has no points in seven games.
Francouz allowed three goals on 28 shots in Colorado's loss in Arizona last Saturday. With Philipp Grubauer sidelined, Francouz should get a couple of starts this week, which makes him a worthwhile pickup for owners desperate for goalie starts. He has a .919 SV% in four appearances but the Predators come to town leading the NHL in goal-scoring (4.00 GF/gm).
Holden has played in all 16 games this season but is expected to be replaced by Deryk England on Thursday. Holden has two goals and two assists in 16 games this season.
Cave appeared in three straight games with the Oilers but has been reassigned to Bakersfield, where he's got three assists in six games. Markus Granlund will likely replace him vs. the Devils on Friday.
Kuemper allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Coyotes win in Edmonton on Monday. Antti Raanta gave him the night off on Tuesday but the Coyotes will come right back to the red-hot Kuemper on Thursday. In his last eight starts, Kuemper is 7-1-0 with a 1.73 GAA, .939 SV% and one shutout. You wouldn't dare bench him in any matchup but certainly not vs. a Blue Jackets team that is averaging the second-least goals per game (2.33).
Wagner has been a healthy scratch for the last two games but will replace Carl Grundstrom in the lineup on Thursday. Wagner has two goals and one assist in 11 games this season.
Grundstrom has in the lineup for the last three games but will be replaced by Austin Wagner on Thursday. Grundstrom has two assists while playing 14:22 ATOI in four games this season.
Davidson has had a tremendous start to the AHL season, posting 10 points (2G / 8A) in 10 games with the Heat. Davidson replaces Oscar Kylington on the roster but is expected to serve as the No.7 defensemen on Thursday.
The Flames want Kylington to start killing penalties, so he will head to Stockton to work on that part of his game. Michael Stone will draw into the lineup to replace Kylington on Thursday.
Werner has gone 5-4-0 with a 2.88 GAA and .908 SV% in nine AHL games this season. Werner was called-up because something is up with Philipp Grubauer. He was not on the ice for Thursday's morning skate, so look for Werner to backup Pavel Francouz against the Predators.
Kotkaniemi practiced on Wednesday and took part in Thursday's morning skate but remains sidelined for Thursday's game in Philadelphia. The Haas are hopeful that Kotkaniemi will be able to return to the lineup on Saturday.
Markstrom allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Canucks loss to the Blues on Tuesday. Markstrom has lost three of his last four starts while posting a 2.87 GAA and .890 SV% but draws a quality matchup vs. the Blackhawks on Thursday. Chicago is 4-7-3 and are averaging the third-fewest goals per game (2.36) in the NHL this season.
Crawford gave up four goals on 44 shots in the Blackhawks loss in Los Angeles last Saturday. Robin Lehner has started four of the last five games but Crawford will face the Canucks on Thursday night. He has lost three straight games while allowing 12 goals on 104 shots (.885 SV%), so you may not want to start him against a Canucks team that is sixth in the NHL in goal scoring (3.47 GF/gm).
Rittich gave up three goals on 37 shots in the Flames win over the Coyotes on Tuesday. Rittich has now won three in a row while allowing a combined eight goals on the last 116 shots (.931 SV%) that he has faced. He is rolling right now and faces a Devils team that is 2-3-0 with just 1.80 goals per game on the road this season.
Subban surrendered four goals on 39 shots in the Golden Knights loss to the Jets last Saturday. Subban is now 0-1-1 with an ugly .887 SV% and tonight he gets a chance to face his hometown team. In his first career start against the Maple Leafs, Subban stopped 20 of 23 shots in a 6-3 win but that doesn't mean you should pick him up and start him on Thursday.
Bobrovsky stopped all 22 shots that he faced in the Panthers' shutout win over the Red Wings last Saturday. The win moved Bobrovsky to 3-1-1 with a 3.20 GAA, .898 SV% and one shutout on home ice this season. Tonight he faces a Capitals team that comes in at 7-1-1 while scoring 4.11 goals per game in their first nine road games of 2019-20.
