Eaves is expected to play in his first game since October 13th, 2017. The veteran skated on a line with Adam Henrique and Isac Lundestrom in Wednesday’s practice and GM Bob Murray said that there was a “96 percent” chance that Eaves plays tonight.
Kane missed Wednesday’s game in Vancouver with an illness and head coach Joel Quenneville was unsure whether or not he would be available for Thursday’s game in Edmonton. Chris Kunitz played on the second line in Kane’s spot last night.
Brisebois did not appear in a game with the Canucks during his call-up and returns to the AHL, where he has two points (1G / 1A) in seven games. Jalen Chatfield was called up to take Brisebois’ spot on the roster.
Chatfield has one assist in seven games with Utica so far this season. The undrafted free agent could make his NHL debut on Friday, but it’s more likely that he has been called up as an extra defenseman.
Andersen allowed two goals on 33 shots in the Maple Leafs loss to the Flames on Monday. Andersen will be making his sixth consecutive start tonight and comes in having allowed just 10 goals on 158 shots (.937 SV%) in his previous five games. In his first start vs. Dallas this season, Andersen made 30 saves on 34 shots in a 7-4 Maple Leafs win.
Dell allowed three goals on 41 shots in the Sharks shootout loss in Carolina last Friday. In three starts this season, Dell has gone 1-0-2 with a 2.59 GAA and .921 SV%. Tonight he faces a Blue Jackets team that is fifth in the NHL in goal-scoring (3.55 GF/PG) through 11 games this season.
Condon had a disastrous night in Arizona on Tuesday and was promptly put on waivers the next day. Mike McKenna has been recalled from the AHL to take Condon’s spot as Craig Anderson’s backup.
Merrill has just one assist and 21 PIMS in 12 games this season, but will be replaced by Brad Hunt on the third pairing tonight.
Campbell allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Kings 4-3 win over the Rangers on Sunday. With Jonathan Quick on LTIR, Campbell is expected to start the majority of the Kings games going forward. The 26-year-old has gone 3-4-0 with a 2.72 GAA and .912 SV% in seven starts and one relief appearance this season.
Hunt was a healthy scratch for the last two games, but will be back in the lineup tonight in Nashville. Hunt will replace Jon Merrill and has one goal in three games this season.
Quick underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus and is expected to miss multiple months. His move to LTIR opens up a roster spot and provides the Kings with some cap relief.
Yamamoto had been skating on the Oilers’ first line, but will be a healthy scratch vs. the Blackhawks. Drake Caggiula will replace him on the first line and Jesse Puljujarvi will draw-in on the third line.
Puljujarvi has been a healthy scratch for the last four games, but will replace Kailer Yamamoto in the lineup vs. Chicago. Puljujarvi will skate on the third line with Ryan Strome and Milan Lucic and returns to the lineup with one goal on nine shots in seven games.
Fleury surrendered three goals on 22 shots in the Golden Knights 4-3 OT win over the Senators on Sunday. Fleury was given the night off on Tuesday, so he’ll draw back in tonight in St. Louis. The veteran netminder has gone 5-4-1 with a 2.49 GAA, .897 SV% and one shutout in 10 starts.
Howard allowed there goals on 37 shots in the Red Wings 5-3 win in Columbus on Tuesday. Howard has actually played extremely well in his last five starts, going 2-3-0 while allowing just 12 goals on 182 shots (.934 SV%). Tonight he faces the Devils on home-ice, where has gone 0-3-1 with a 2.78 GAA and .927 SV% in four games.
Smith allowed one goal on 25 shots in the Flames 3-1 win in Toronto on Monday. The win snapped a three-game losing skid for Smith, who will make his 10th start tonight vs. the Avalanche. The 36-year-old comes in at 2-2-1 with a brutal 4.20 GAA and .847 SV% in five starts at the Scotiabank Saddledome this season.
Koskinen gave up three goals on 27 shots in the Oilers 5-3 win in Nashville on Saturday. It was an impressive return to the NHL for Koskinen, who struggled mightily in the preseason. With Cam Talbot dropping Tuesday’s game vs. Minnesota, Koskinen will start for the second time in four games.
Hedman was already ruled out of Thursday’s game vs. the Predators, but head coach Jon Cooper said their all-start defenseman will also miss this weekend’s back-to-back. With Hedman out, Ryan McDonagh will play on the top-pairing and top power-play tonight.
Rinaldo is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body ailment. The veteran winger is expected to be replaced by Rocco Grimaldi on the Predators fourth line.
Schmaltz has just one assist in eight games this season and will come out of the lineup tonight with Carl Gunnarsson (hip) making his season debut.
