Tonight will be the first time Niku suited up in 16 games. Niku will appear in his fourth game of the season, replacing Tucker Poolman, who is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Niku has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 51 career NHL games.
Poolman is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, so look for Sami Niku to draw into the lineup for him on Thursday.
Zboril will replace Jeremy Lauzon, who is expected to miss at least one month with a fractured hand. Zboril missed the last three games with an upper-body injury and re-enters the lineup with two assists in 14 games.
Zucker took an awkward spill on Tuesday and had to be helped off of the ice. Head coach Mike Sullivan announced that he’ll be out “longer-term” so look for Zach Aston-Reese to move onto Evgeni Malkin’s wing on Thursday.
Skinner didn't even take part in the Sabres morning skate, instead, he skated with the taxi squad and will be scratched for a third straight game. It looks like there may be no coming back for Skinner, who is in the second year of an eight-year deal that pays him $9.0M per season.
Stepan was hurt early in Tuesday’s game vs. Montreal and the early prognosis “doesn’t look good” according to head coach DJ Smith. Expect Stepan to miss some time and look for Artem Anisimov to replace him on a line with Drake Batherson and Tim Stützle.
Grigorenko will be a healthy scratch for the third time in nine games. Emil Bemstrom will replace him in the Blue Jackets’ bottom-6.
Peeke played in six straight games but will be replaced by Michael Del Zotto on Thursday vs. the Blackhawks. Peeke has registered two assists in six games this season.
Harrington appeared in three straight games but will come out with Zach Werenski returning to the lineup. Harrington has registered one goal and two assists in six games this season.
Bemstrom will play for the first time since January 21st, replacing Mikhail Grigorenko in the lineup vs. the Blackhawks. Bemstrom has no points in five games this season but has 20 points (10G / 10A) in 61 career games to this point.
Del Zotto missed Tuesday’s game vs. Chicago but will replace Andrew Peeke in the lineup on Thursday. Del Zotto has had a resurgent season, posting one goal, five assists, 37 shots and a plus-9 rating in his first 19 games with Columbus.
Werenski has not played since February 13th but will replace Scott Harrington in the lineup on Thursday. Werenski had a slow start to the season but had four assists in his last six games before getting injured.
