Athanasiou missed the final two games before the Christmas break but is expected to retune to the lineup on Thursday. Athanasiou is expected to skate with Luke Glendening and Michael Rasmussen and returns with 11 goals and nine assists (20 points) in 32 games this season.
Khudobin allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Stars loss to the Islanders last Sunday. Khudobin has been mostly up-and-down this season, ultimately compiling a 6-7-2 record, 2.81 GAA and .912 SV% in 15 starts and two relief appearances. Tonight he will see a Predators squad that has gone 14-5-0 in Nashville this season.
Subban has been sidelined since November 13th but will likely play Thursday vs. the Stars. Subban, who will skate with Mattias Ekholm and on PP2, has 12 points (2G / 10A) in 18 games this season.
Arvidsson has been out since November 10th with a broken thumb but is expected to play vs. the Stars. Arvidsson was playing very well before getting hurt, registering eight goals on 34 shots (23.5 SH%) with five assists (13 points) in 13 games. He will skate with Ryan Johansen and Calle Jarnkrok on the top line.
Miller has been out since November 26th but will be back tonight vs. the Devils. Miller will replace Charlie McAvoy, who is battling a lower-body ailment. Miller has just two assists and 16 shots in 11 games this season.
Delia stopped 35 of 36 shots in the Blackhawks win in Colorado last Friday. Delia was extremely impressive in his first start of the season after going 7-5-4 with a 2.34 GAA and .933 SV% in 17 games with Rockford (AHL). He will make his second start against a Wild squad that is 7-9-0 on the road this season.
Neuvirth stopped 32 of 34 shots in the Flyers win in New York last Sunday. Neuvirth earned himself the first start out of the break with great outing and will look to string two straight road wins together. Tonight’s game won’t be easy to come by, as he gets set to face a Lightning team that leads the NHL with 4.08 goals for per game.
Hellebuyck allowed three goals on 44 shots in the Jets win in San Jose last Thursday. Hellebuyck has allowed at least three goals in four straight games but has managed a 3-1-0 record over that time. The goal support has been there for Hellebuyck and he may need it tonight vs. the Flames. Calgary comes into Winnipeg ranks sixth in the NHL in goal-scoring (3.43 GF/pg).
Halak allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Bruins win over the Predators last Saturday. Halak has won three in a row while stopping 74 of the 77 (.961 SV%) shots that he has faced. Tonight he faces a Devils team without Taylor Hall—Halak is 8-0-0 with a 1.74 GAA, .945 SV% and one shutout on home-ice this season.
DeBrusk has missed the last nine games with a concussion but will return Thursday vs. the Devils. DeBrusk, who has 10 goals and two assists in 28 games this season, will skate on the second line with David Krejci and Danton Heinen.
Chara has been sidelined with a knee injury since November 14th but will be back in the Bruins lineup following the Christmas break. Chara has three goals and one assist in 18 games this season.
McAvoy is hurting after blocking a shot in Carolina on Sunday, so he’ll come out of the lineup on Thursday. Luckily for the Bruins, they will get both Zdeno Chara and Kevan Miller back on the blueline to replace McAvoy.
Howard allowed two goals on 23 shots in the Red Wings loss to the Panthers last Saturday. The 34-year-old has gone 2-2-1 with a 2.53 GAA and .923 SV% in December as he continues his resurgent season despite playing behind a below-average Red Wings squad. However, he draws a tough assignment tonight in Pittsburgh, so consider leaving him on your bench.
Allen made 28 saves on 29 shots in the Blues win in Calgary last Saturday. Allen has been inconsistent lately but has put a solid couple of games together. Tonight he will go head-to-head with his former backup on home-ice, where he is 6-5-2 with a 3.93 GAA and .879 SV% in 15 games this season.
Rinne allowed four goals on 31 shots in the Predators loss in Boston last Saturday. Rinne has lost four straight games (0-3-1) with a 2.54 GAA and .918 SV%. Rinne will look to snap his losing skid against the Stars. He comes in at 11-3-0 with a 1.86 GAA, .928 SV% and two shutouts on home-ice this season.
Korpisalo gave up three goals on 25 shots in the Blue Jackets loss to the Canucks on December 11th. Korpisalo has not recorded a win since November 15th but will get a second crack at the Rangers tonight. The 24-year-old allowed four goals on 19 shots in a 5-4 shootout loss to New York back in November.
Halak allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Bruins win over the Predators last Saturday. Halak has won three in a row while stopping 74 of the 77 (.961 SV%) shots that he has faced. Tonight he faces a Devils team without Taylor Hall—Halak is 8-0-0 with a 1.74 GAA, .945 SV% and one shutout on home-ice this season.
Moore recorded an assist in his NHL debut before the Christmas break and returns to the Maple Leafs with Tyler Ennis out. Moore has 17 goals and seven assists (24 points) in 27 games with the Marlies.
