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.
Neuvirth allowed four goals on 30 shots in the Flyers loss in Nashville on New Year’s Day. Carter Hart had a brutal outing in Carolina on Monday and Neuvirth stopped all 23 shots that he faced in relief, so he’ll get a chance to start vs. Carolina tonight. Since returning from injury, Neuvirth has gone 1-2-1 with a 3.63 GAA and .888 SV%.
Filppula suffered an upper-body injury in the first shift in Buffalo on Monday and will not play on Thursday. Tom Kuhnhackl will replace him on the third line and Leo Komarov is expected to move to centre.
Eberle was on the ice for the Islanders morning skate but will miss his fourth straight game with an undisclosed injury. Josh Ho-Sang is expected to remain on the Islanders’ top line with Eberle out.
The Bruins announced on Thursday that Nordstrom will be re-evaluated in approximately three weeks after suffering a non-displaced fibula fracture. Ryan Donato. who was a healthy scratch in the Winter Classic, will likely replace Nordstrom.
Mrazek allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Hurricanes loss in Washington on December 27th. Despite Curtis McElhinney registering a win vs. the Flyers on Monday, Mrazek will get a shot at his former team tonight in Philadelphia. Mrazek was solid in December, going 3-5-0 with a 2.42 GAA, .917 SV% and one shutout in eight starts.
Neuvirth allowed four goals on 30 shots in the Flyers loss in Nashville on New Year’s Day. Carter Hart had a brutal outing in Carolina on Monday and Neuvirth stopped all 23 shots that he faced in relief, so he’ll get a chance to start vs. Carolina tonight. Since returning from injury, Neuvirth has gone 1-2-1 with a 3.63 GAA and .888 SV%.
Ullmark stopped all 40 shots that he faced in the Sabres shutout win vs. the Ducks on December 22nd. Ullmark has won each of his last three starts while allowing just five goals on 106 shots (.953 SV%). In his first start against the Panthers, Ullmark allowed three goals on 43 shots in a 3-2 overtime loss (Nov.30).
Lehner made 39 saves on 40 shots in the Islanders win in Buffalo on Monday. Lehner is red-hot right now, winning five in a row while stopping an impressive 140 of the 143 shots (.979 SV%) that he has faced over that span. He will look to stay hot against a Blackhawks team that has won five of their last seven while averaging 3.14 goals per game.
Ullmark stopped all 40 shots that he faced in the Sabres shutout win vs. the Ducks on December 22nd. Ullmark has won each of his last three starts while allowing just five goals on 106 shots (.953 SV%). In his first start against the Panthers, Ullmark allowed three goals on 43 shots in a 3-2 overtime loss (Nov.30).
Kaskisuo has gone 3-5-0 with a 4.12 GAA and a .866 SV% in 11 games with the Marlies this season. With Garret Sparks (concussion protocol) and Frederik Andersen (groin) both injured, Kaskisuo has been recalled to serve as Michael Hutchinson’s backup on Thursday afternoon.
Hutchinson was on the winning side of his first game with the Marlies, allowing four goals on 35 shots. With Garret Sparks (concussion protocol) and Frederik Andersen (groin) both injured, Hutchinson is expected to make his Maple Leafs debut on Thursday afternoon.
Sparks was originally slated to start on Thursday afternoon but will be held out as a precaution while he is evaluated under the concussion protocol. The Maple Leafs recalled Michael Hutchinson and Kasimir Kaskisuo to serve as their goalies with Hutchinson expected to make his Maple Leafs debut vs. the Wild.
