Copley allowed three goals on 17 shots after replacing Braden Holtby in the Capitals loss in Chicago on January 20th. Copley has struggled over the course of the last month, allowing a combined 15 goals on the last 94 shots (.840 SV%) that he has faced. In his first start against Colorado this season, Copley stopped 24 of 26 shots in a 3-2 overtime win (Nov.16).
Schneider will be making his first NHL appearance since December 14th and comes in having gone 0-5-1 with a 4.66 GAA and .852 SV% in nine appearances this season. During his time with the Binghamton Devils (AHL), Schneider wasn’t much better, posting a 3.24 GAA and .881 SV% across eight games. He has simply lost the form that once made him one of the best goalies in the league and can’t be trusted until he finds it (if ever).
After sitting has a healthy scratch for the last two games, Brouwer will replace Jayce Hawryluk in the lineup on Thursday. The veteran winger has registered 10 points (7G / 3A) with a minus-12 rating, 28 PIMS and 50 shots on goal in 44 games this season.
On Wednesday, Panthers head coach Bob Boughner said there was a 50/50 chance that Hawryluk would play on Thursday but downgraded him to out this morning. Troy Brouwer will replace the rookie winger.
McCoshen has been a healthy scratch for the last two games but will replace MacKenzie Weegar in the lineup on Thursday. McCoshen has not registered a point in five games since being called up by Florida.
Weegar has been in the lineup for the last two games but will be replaced by Ian McCoshen on Thursday.
Luongo allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Panthers loss to the Predators last Friday. Luongo has played better as of late, winning two of his last three while stopping 69 of the 75 shots (.920 SV%) that he faced. In his first start against the Penguins, Luongo was pulled after giving up four goals on 16 shots in a 5-1 loss (Jan.8).
Eaves sat in the second game of the Ducks’ back-to-back earlier in the week and will be out for a second straight game as he battles an illness. Eaves continues to have a difficult time staying on the ice and will be replaced by Adam Cracknell for the second contest in a row.
Welinski, 25, has split his 2018-19 season right down the middle, playing 19 NHL games and 18 AHL games. With Korbinian Holzer returning to Germany for a family matter, Welinski has been called up and is expected to play on Thursday. The former third-round pick has two assists with the Ducks this year and four assists in 26 career NHL games overall.
Byfuglien, who has been out since December 29th, is set to return to the lineup against the Canadiens on Thursday. Byfuglien was enjoying a terrific season before getting hurt, tallying four goals and 25 assists (29 points) in 32 games. Kook for him to re-claim his spot on the top power-play unit in Montreal.
Matt Murray is day-to-day with an upper-body injury so Jarry is expected to serve as Casey DeSmith’s backup on Thursday. Murray is on the road-trip with the Penguins, so it doesn’t appear like Jarry’s stay with the big club will be an extended one.
Murray will join the Penguins on their three-game road-trip, which suggests that the injury isn’t serious. However, Tristan Jarry was recalled from the AHL which means that Jarry will likely backup Casey DeSmith on Thursday.
Talbot was pulled after allowing four goals on 27 shots in the Oilers loss to the Blackhawks on Tuesday. In his last four outings, Talbot has gone 0-2-1 with a 5.07 GAA and .864 SV%. Even facing a Wild team that is 13-13-1 on the road this season, Talbot should likely be left on you bench or on the waiver-wire.
Stolarz stopped all 38 shots that he faced in the Flyers shutout win over the Rangers on January 29th. Stolarz has turned in a couple of outstanding performances this season but has mixed them in with some duds. It’s hard to know what to expect from the 25-year-old but the Flyers are red-hot right now and have a terrific matchup vs. the Kings, so you should at least consider spot-starting him.
Andersen allowed one goal on 25 shots in the Maple Leafs blowout win over the Ducks on Monday. Andersen has gone 3-2-1 with a 2.67 GAA and .922 SV% in six games since returning from a groin injury and is a must-start tonight vs. the Senators. He allowed four goals on 23 shots in a 5-3 loss in his first start vs. Ottawa but don’t let that worry you heading into Wednesday.
Koivu suffered the injured while colliding with Tage Thompson of the Sabres. This is a huge blow for the Wild, who have recalled Joel Eriksson Ek from Iowa (AHL) to replace Koivu at centre. Koivu finishes the season with eight goals and 21 assists (29 points) in 48 games.
McLeod is one of the few remaining pugilists in the NHL, who was with the Predators last season before being claimed off of waivers by the Rangers. McLeod has one goal and 60 PIMS in 31 games this season and returns to Nashville, where his family remained after being claimed off of waivers.
Head coach Bob Boughner said there’s a 50/50 chance that Hawryluk will be available for Thursday’s game after missing Wednesday’s practice session. Troy Brouwer will draw into the lineup if Hawryluk can’t play.
Hill was brought up to serve as Calvin Pickard’s backup on Tuesday but his return to the AHL suggests that Darcy Kemper will be back on Thursday vs. the Blue Jackets.
