Graves was a fourth-round pick of the Rangers in 2013 and will make his NHL debut tonight after playing 254 career AHL games. Graves, who has eight points (2G / 6A) in 26 games this season, will replace Anton Lindholm on the Avalanche blueline.
Grubauer was pulled after giving up four goals on 16 shots in Colorado’s loss in Arizona before the break. Grubauer has been seeing extra playing time recently but has a 3.33 GAA and .892 SV% in December. TO make things worse is a difficult road matchup in Vegas, where the Golden Knights are 11-3-3 this season.
Markstrom allowed one goal on 24 shots in the Canucks loss to the Jets last Saturday. It was another great performance from Markstrom but snapped a six-game winning streak for him. Over his last seven games, Markstrom has posted a 1.58 GAA and .944 SV%. In his first start against the Oilers, Markstrom turned aside 20 of 22 shots in a 4-2 win (Dec.16).
Gibson turned aside 30 of 32 shots in the Ducks loss in Buffalo last Saturday. Gibson has lost two in a row and is now 5-3-0 with a 2.67 GAA and .917 SV% in December. Tonight he will take one the Sharks for the third time this season—Gibson has gone 1-0-1 with a 2.95 GAA and .927 SV% in the first two meetings.
Fleury allowed four goals on 32 shots in the Golden Knights loss to the Kings last Sunday. Fleury has lost two straight while allowing a combined eight goals on 79 shots (.899 SV%). After a few days off, Fleury will look to get back into the win column in Vegas, where he has gone 11-3-3 with a 2.22 GAA, .922 SV% and four shutouts this season.
Carter was not on the ice for the Kings morning skate and will not play Thursday vs. the Coyotes. With Carter out, Adrian Kempe will centre the Kings’ second-line.
Jones allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Sharks loss to the Kings lat Saturday. Jones has lost three of his last four starts and comes into Thursday at 5-3-1 with a 2.61 GAA, .910 SV% and one shutout in December. In his first two starts against Anaheim, Jones has gone 1-1-0 with a 3.47 GAA and .841 SV%.
Russell has missed the last five games but appears set to return to the Oilers lineup in one of the next two games. Russell was back on the ice for Thursday’s practice and will likely replace Chris Wideman when he is healthy.
Caggiula is day-to-day with the flu and will be replaced by Ty Rattie on Thursday.
Garrison is day-to-day with the flu and will be replaced by Chris Wideman in the lineup on Thursday.
Rittich gave up four goals on 36 shots in the Flames loss to the Lightning last Thursday. Rittich has lost two straight but remains a solid 3-2-1 with a 2.47 GAA and .920 SV% in seven December appearances. Even though he’s been steady all season, Rittich is a risky option in Winnipeg—the Jets are 13-4-2 on home-ice and rank fourth in the NHL in goal-scoring (3.53 GF/pg).
Copp has missed the last 10 games with an upper-body injury but is set to play Thursday vs. the Flames. Copp has just two goals and two assists (four points) in 23 games this season.
Lowry missed the final two games before the Christmas break but will play Thursday against the Flames. Lowry will be back in his usual spot on the third line and comes in with 10 points (5G / 5A) in 34 games this season.
Coming out of the Christmas break, Price is dealing with a lower-body injury and will not travel to Florida to start their three-game road-trip. Price could meet the team in Dallas, but that also seems unlikely.
Hutton allowed two goals on 24 shots in the Sabres loss in Washington last Friday. Hutton is on a three-game losing streak, allowing a combined nine goals on 97 shots (.907 SV%). Hutton has cooled off as of late but he should be extra motivated on Thursday as he faces his former team in St. Luis for the first time.
Dickinson will come out of the Stars lineup on Thursday and is listed as day-to-day. The Stars are hoping that Dickinson will return shortly.
Hanzal’s back issue continues to linger, so he will come out of the lineup on Thursday and the Stars don’t know when he will play again. Hanzal could be in and out of the lineup like he was last season.
Subban is expected to play Thursday after missing the last 20 games with an upper-body injury. Subban will replace Yannick Weber, who was moved to IR in a corresponding move. Subban has 12 points (2G / 10A) in 18 games this season.
Arvidsson is expected to play Thursday after missing 22 games with a broken thumb he suffered on November 10th. Arvidsson has 13 points (8G / 5A) in 13 games this season.
