Hutchinson allowed four goals on 35 shots in his Toronto Marlies (AHL) debut after being acquired from Florida. With Frederik Andersen (groin) and Garret Sparks (concussion protocol) out, Hutchinson is expected to make his Maple Leafs debut on Thursday. Hutchinson was 1-1-2 with a 4.17 GAA and .839 SV% in four games with the Panthers earlier this season.
Niskanen has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury but is expected to play Thursday in St. Louis. Niskanen has five goals and 10 assists (15 points) in 36 games this season.
Davidson recently cleared waivers but could remain with the Blackhawks after they traded Brandon Manning. Davidson has one assist and a minus-4 rating in seven games this season.
Holtby surrendered six goals on 34 shots in the Capitals loss to the Predators on Monday. Holtby has been stockpiling wins this season, ranking tied for eighth (15) in the NHL in that category. However, he is tied for 21st in SV% (.912) and tied for 29th in GAA (2.84). Tonight he takes on a Blues team that has lost four of seven and could be without Vladimir Tarasenko (illness—game time decision).
Armia has missed the last 26 games with a knee injury but will play Thursday for the first time since November 6th. Armia will skate on a line with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Artturi Lehkonen and has three goals and four assists (seven points) in 15 games this season.
Martinsen drew into the lineup for the Winter Classic but played just 4:14 TOI. John Hayden will replace Martinsen on Thursday.
Hayden was a healthy scratch for the Winter Classic but will be back in the lineup for the third time in four games. Hayden will replace Andreas Martinsen.
Delia allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Blackhawks win in Colorado on December 29th. Cam Ward started the Winter Classic but they’ll come back to Delia, who has won all three of his NHL starts while posting a 1.66 GAA and .957 SV%. Tonight he faces an Islanders team that has won four in a row and seven of their last eight.
MacDonald was not on the ice for Thursday’s morning skate and will not play against the visiting Hurricanes. Christian Folin will replace him on the Flyers third pair.
Gurianov had two assists and 10 shots while averaging 11:22 TOI/gm in nine games during his call-up. Gurianov returns to Texas where he has nine goals and 19 assists (28 points) in 23 games this season.
Georgiev allowed one goal on seven shots after replacing Henrik Lundqvist in the Rangers’ 7-2 loss to the Penguins on Wednesday. The 22-year-old hasn’t play often this season (nine starts, two relief appearances) but comes into Friday at 5-5-0 with a 3.22 GAA and .898 SV%. Tonight he takes on an Avalanche team that has cooled off recently, losing six in a row and 10 of their last 12 (2-7-3).
Tarasenko missed Wednesday’s practice and Thursday’s morning skate but remains a game-time decision for tonight’s game vs. the Capitals. Tarasenko is expected to skate with Ryan O’Reilly and David Perron if he plays and will be replaced by Zach Sanford if he doesn’t play.
Smith allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Flames win in Detroit last night. With David Rittich still out, Smith will start again tonight in Boston. Last night’s win moved him to 6-4-0 with a 2.60 GAA, .910 SV% and one shutout on the road this season. Tonight he will face a Bruins team that has won eight of their last 12 games while averaging 3.42 goals for per game.
Price missed the last three games with a lower-body injury but will start Thursday vs. the Canucks. Price stopped 23 of 26 shots in a win in Vegas in his las start, finishing December at 8-3-0 with a 2.42 GAA and .916 SV%. In his first start against the Canucks, Price stopped 36 of 38 shots in a 3-2 win (Nov.17).
Eichel was listed as questionable for Monday’s game but ended up playing before leaving after just 2:42 TOI. The Sabres want to be cautious with their star centre, so they will scratch him on Thursday and re-evaluate him early next week.
Sanford, who has nine points (4G / 5A) in 23 games with the Blues and six points (4G / 2A) in seven AHL games, could draw into the St. Louis lineup on Thursday with Vladimir Tarasenko questionable.
Gunnarsson has been out since November 16th but said on Wednesday that he is ready-to-go. However, Gunnarsson skated on the fourth pairing in the morning skate, which suggests that he might not play vs. the Capitals.
Allen allowed two goals on 23 shots in the Blues loss to the Rangers on Monday. Allen wrapped up December at 6-5-1 with a 2.77 GAA, .907 SV% and one shutout in 12 starts. Allen has played better recently but he will be in tough against the visiting Capitals—Washington is 16-4-0 while averaging 3.80 goals for per game in their last 20 games.
Shaw has been dealing with an upper-body injury and left Monday’s game in Dallas after playing just 2:09 TOI. Joel Armia is expected to replace Shaw in the lineup on Thursday.
