Gibbons was a healthy scratch on Tuesday but will replace Maxime Comtois (undisclosed) tonight. Gibbons has not recorded a point while averaging 11:34 TOI/GM in seven games this season.
Comtois is reportedly banged up with an undisclosed ailment, so he is expected to be scratched on Thursday. Brian Gibbons is expected to replace him in the lineup on the Ducks’ fourth line.
Smith allowed four goals on 30 shots in the Flames loss to the Predators last Friday. David Rittich started the last two games, but Smith will be between the pipes tonight vs. the Penguins. Smith needs to be much better than the 3.38 GAA and .885 SV% that he posted in his first six starts, but has a difficult matchup tonight with the Penguins in town.
Holtby allowed two goals on 24 shots in the Capitals win in Vancouver on Monday. Holtby has alternated wins and losses through his first seven starts, amassing a 3.46 GAA, .885 SV% and one shutout so far. His inconsistency and a matchup with Connor McDavid, makes him a risky start on a busy night in the NHL.
Grubauer stopped 42 of 43 shots in Colorado’s win in Carolina last Saturday. Grubauer lost his first start with the Avalanche, but has won his last two games while stopping 69 of 73 shots (.945 SV%). Tonight he will take on a surprising Senators team that is averaging the fifth most goals for per game (3.63) through their first eight games.
Raanta will backup Darcy Kuemper for the second straight game. Raanta is feeling better, but Kuemper played well in Columbus, so they’ll give him another start.
Kuemper filled in for Antti Raanta, who was a late scratch after being schedule to start Tuesday’s game in Columbus. Kuemper stopped 35 of 36 shots in the 4-1 win. Tonight he will make his third start of the season and comes in with a 1.52 GAA and .953 SV% in his first two outings. He draws a solid matchup against a Canucks team that is banged up and coming in on the tail-end of a back-to-back.
Vorobyev will get back into the lineup with Michael Raffl injury. Vorobyev will centre the Flyers third line with Wayne Simmonds and Oskar Lindblom on his wings. He has just one goal while averaging 12:00 TOI/GM in five games this season.
Riikola had a rough night in Edmonton on Tuesday, so he will get a chance to sit in the press box tonight. Chad Ruhwedel will replace him on the third pairing.
Ruhwedel is expected to make his season debut on Thursday, replacing Juuso Riikola. Ruhwedel had just five points (2G / 3A) in 44 games with the Penguins last year.
Brisebois, 21, has recorded one goal and one assist in seven games with Utica this season. Brisebois could make his NHL debut on Thursday with Alex Edler and Chris Tanev getting injured on Wednesday.
Biega has two assists in three games with Utica so far this season. With Alex Edler and Chris Tanev getting banged up last night, Biega returns to the Canucks where he had nine points (1G / 8A) in 44 games a season ago.
Murray allowed five goals on 46 shots in the Penguins overtime win in Edmonton on Tuesday. Murray has won three of his first four starts despite allowing 16 goals on 149 shots (.893 SV%). Tonight he faces a Flames team that comes into Thursday ranked seventh in the NHL with 3.56 goals for per game, despite having the 23rd ranked PP (15.8%).
Valimaki has one goal and 11 shots on goal in nine games with the Flames this season. With Travis Hamonic (face) ready to return tonight, Valimaki will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season.
Hamonic has been out with a facial fracture since opening night, but will replace Jusso Valimaki in the lineup on Thursday. Hamonic will skate on the second pairing with Noah Hanifin.
Khaira has no points in six games this season, but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday. Khaira will replace Zack Kassian vs. the Capitals.
Kassian has no points and a minus-4 rating in five games this season. Jujhar Khaira will replace Kassian in the lineup on Thursday.
Caggiula has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury, but will replace Jesse Puljujarvi on Thursday. Puljujarvi has no points and seven shots on goal in three games this season.
Puljujarvi has recorded just one goal with a minus-4 rating while playing 12:27 TOI/GM in seven games this season. Drake Caggiula is healthy and will replace Puljujarvi on Thursday.
