LaDue has been a healthy scratch for the last four games, but is expected to replace Derek Forbort in the lineup on Thursday. LaDue has one goal while averaging 11:45 TOI/GM in his first four games of the season.
Lundqvist surrendered four goals on 26 shots in the Rangers loss to the Flames on Sunday. Lundqvist had a great start to the season, but has stumbled in his last two outings. King Henrik has given up eight goals on 64 shots (.875 SV%) in his last two games and will be in tough in Chicago tonight. The Blackhawks 3.67 goals per game is tied for fourth most in the NHL.
Backes will miss his second straight game on Thursday and the Bruins are unsure how long their veteran forward will be sidelined. Ryan Donato and Anders Bjork have been swapping spots in the lineup, but with Backes out, they’ll both play.
McAvoy will miss his second straight game on Thursday and the Bruins are unsure how long their young defenseman will be sidelined. With McAvoy, Torey Krug, Kevan Miller and Urho Vaakanainen all out, Jeremy Lauzon has been called up and will make his NHL debut tonight.
Milano has just one goal while averaging just 8:19 TOI/GM in eight games this season. Milano will be replaced by Markus Hannikainen on the Blue Jackets fourth line.
Hannikainen had three goals and three assists (6 points) in 33 games with the Blue Jackets last season. He will replace Sonny Milano in the lineup on Thursday.
Green has missed the first nine games of the season, but took part in Thursday’s practice and expects to play on Friday. Green will skate on the top-pair with Dennis Cholowski, a pairing that could produce a fair amount of offence.
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.
Methot will come out of the lineup vs. the Ducks. Valeri Nichushkin will draw back in for Methot as the Stars go back to the traditional 12 forwards, six defenseman look.
Nichushkin has missed the last three games with an undisclosed injury, but will return on the Stars fourth line tonight. Nichushkin has just one assist and eight shots on goal in three games so far this season.
Campbell stopped two of three shots after replacing Jonathan Quick last Thursday. Quick has struggled since returning from injury, so Campbell will get another start tonight in Minnesota. While Quick was out, Campbell went 2-3-0 with a 2.69 GAA, .922 SV% and one shutout. The Wild come into Thursday averaging just 2.75 goals for per game (t-22nd in the NHL).
Dowling recorded an assist in his season debut on Tuesday, playing extremely well on the Stars second line. They will reward him with a chance to play with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn tonight vs. the Ducks. Dowling had six points (2G / 4A) in seven games with Texas (AHL) before being called-up.
Halak allowed two goals on 22 shots in the Bruins loss in Vancouver last Saturday. Halak has lost two games in a row, but has posted a 1.74 GAA, .933 SV% and one shutout in his first five starts of the season. Tonight he faces a Flyers team that ranks 12th in the NHL in goal-scoring (3.33 GF/PG) through nine games.
Bishop allowed two goals on 33 shots in the Stars win over the Kings on Tuesday. Bishop snapped a three-game losing streak with the win and has now won three of his first six starts with a 2.38 GAA, .923 SV% and one shutout on the season. Tonight he faces a Ducks team that is average the fifth fewest goals per game (2.40) this season.
Thomas has picked up just one assist in five games this season and will remain out of the lineup tonight vs. the Blue Jackets. Thomas has not played since October 14th.
Sundqvist will centre the Blues fourth line, which means that Robert Thomas will remain a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old had just five points (1G / 4A) in 42 games last season.
Korpisalo gave up four goals on 41 shots in the Blue Jackets win in Florida on October 11th. Korpisalo has won each of his two starts this season, allowing six goals on the 61 shots (.902 SV%) that he has faced. Tonight he faces his third start against a Blues team that is currently tied for 16th in the NHL in scoring (3.13 GF/PG).
Bortuzzo missed Tuesday’s game after suffering a lower-body injury in Toronto last Saturday. With Bortuzzo on IR, Jay Bouwmeester will remain in the Blues lineup going forward.
Miller has a cast on his hand and will miss at least on month. The Bruins blueline is extremely banged up right now, so Jeremy Lauzon has been called up from Providence (AHL) to make his NHL debut on Thursday. Look for Miller to be back in mid-to-late November.
Folin has been in the lineup for the last four games, but will be replaced by Andrew MacDonald tonight. Folin has one assist, a plus-2 rating, four PIMS and six shots on goal in five games this season.
