Thomas has been out since October 2nd but will play Thursday after a five-game absence. Thomas, who played just 9:45 TOI in the season opener, will return on the Blues fourth-line, so he doesn’t have any fantasy value at the moment.
Price gave up three goals on 22 shots in the Canadiens loss to the Lightning on Tuesday. Through five starts, Price has allowed at least three goals in every game, totalling in a 3.33 GAA and .896 SV%. It’s not a good streak but a home matchup with the Wild is a good opportunity to end it. Minnesota is 1-5-0 and are averaging just 2.33 goals per game (t-26th).
Demko allowed one goal on 27 shots in the Canucks 5-1 win over the Red Wings on Tuesday. Demko gave up a goal to Dylan Larkin in the first 30 seconds but settled in and didn’t allow another goal after that. It was an outstanding season debut for the young netminder, who will start again tonight with Jacob Markstrom (personal) still away from the team. Demko was 1-2-1 with a 2.95 GAA and .904 SV% in four road starts last year.
Rittich stopped 21 of 22 shots in the Flames win over the Flyers on Tuesday. It was a nice bounce-back game for Rittich, who gave up six goals in Vegas in his previous outing. The 27-year-old has been inconsistent to begin 2019-20, allowing at least four goals in three starts and less than two goals in the other three starts. Overall, he is 3-2-1 with a 2.80 GAA and .912 SV% and is a must-start against the Red Wings on Thursday.
Binnington allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Blues overtime loss to the Islanders on Monday. Binnington has now lost two in a row and three of his first five starts (2-1-2) while posting a 2.97 GAA and .910 SV%. Tonight he faces a Canucks team on a three-game winning streak while outscoring their opponents 16-to-5.
Rask did not take part in the Wild’s morning skate and is expected to miss tonight’s game in Montreal. With Rask out, Kevin Fiala is expected to be back in the Wild lineup.
Weal appeared in each of the first six games of the season, posting one goal and one assist, but will be replaced by Nick Cousins (back) on Thursday.
Cousins had 27 points (7G / 20A) in 81 games with the Coyotes last year and signed a one-year, $1.0M AAV deal with the Canadiens this summer. Cousins will make his Montreal debut on the fourth line with Nate Thompson and Nick Suzuki.
Hellebuyck surrendered four goals on 35 shots in the Jets loss to the Coyotes on Tuesday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Hellebuyck, who is now 3-2-0 with a 2.82 GAA and .919 SV% in his first five games. On Thursday he draws a great home matchup vs. an Islanders team that is tied for 26th in goal-scoring (2.33 GF/gm) through six games.
Folin recorded on assist, two shots and a plus-2 rating while appearing in the last four games. On Thursday he will be replaced by rookie Cale Fleury, who will be playing in his third career NHL games.
Fleury has been a healthy scratch for the last four games but will replace Christian Folin in the lineup on Thursday. Fleury has no points and one shot in his first two career NHL games.
Hischier is day-to-day with an upper-body injury that he suffered mid-way through Monday’s game. With Hischier sidelined, rookie Jack Hughes will be promoted to the Devils’ first line between Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri.
Rask stopped all 31 of the shots that he faced in the Bruins shutout win over the Devils last Saturday. Rask and Jaroslav Halak continue to split time and both have been outstanding. Rask comes into Thursday’s game at 3-0-0 with a 1.33 GAA, .957 SV% and one shutout in three games. Tonight he faces the Lightning, who he was 1-3-0 with a 3.55 GAA and .860 SV% in four games against last season.
Kampfer made his season debut against the Ducks on Monday but Connor Clifton will draw back in to replace him on third-pair. This will likely be a common theme for Kampfer this season.
Clifton was a healthy scratch on Monday but will replace Steven Kampfer against the Lightning. Clifton has not registered a point while averaging 15:30 TOI/gm in five games this season.
Lindholm has been a healthy scratch for the last four games but will replace David Krejci (upper-body) in the lineup on Thursday. Lindholm will centre the third line with Danton Heinen and Karson Kuhlman on his wings.
Krejci was hurt in Monday’s game against the Ducks and will miss Thursday’s game with an upper-body injury. Par Lindholm will draw into the lineup to replace Krejci and Charlie Coyle will move up to the second line. Krejci is day-to-day.
Blackwood allowed three goals on 22 shots in the Devils’ 4-3 shootout loss to the Oilers last Thursday. Cory Schneider started the last two games but Blackwood will start tonight vs. the Rangers. Somehow the Rangers have only played in three games but their offence has been hot to start the season. This could be a high-scoring affair, making Blackwood a low-end starter on a nine-game slate.
Reimer allowed three goals on 35 shots in the Hurricanes loss to Columbus lat Saturday. It was Reimer’s first loss of the season and moved him to 2-1-0 with a 2.65 GAA and .933 SV% through three games. The Sharks have struggled in their first six games, but winning a road game in San Jose on the tail-end of a back-to-back is a difficult task for Reimer.
