Motte has scored three goals and one assist in 29 games with the Blue Jackets this season. He has picked up eight points (6G / 2A) in nine games with Cleveland and will likely play on Thursday after it was announced Sonny Milano will miss 4-6 weeks.
Milano suffered an injury in Toronto on January 8th and has missed the last two games as a result. After undergoing tests, it was revealed that Milano is dealign with a torn oblique muscle and will be sidelined until at least mid-February.
Muzzin has missed the last three games with an undisclosed injury but he took a regular rotation at even strength and on the power-play in Wednesday’s practice, so look for him to play tomorrow. Muzzin has had a nice year, picking up 23 points (3G / 20A), 90 shots and 80 blocked shots in 41 games.
Staal left Tuesday’s game with a hip flexor injury and is considered day-to-day. Staal will be out against the Sabres, so Steven Kampfer will draw back into the lineup.
Neuvirth stopped all eight shots that he faced after replacing Brian Elliott in the Flyers’ loss in New York on Tuesday. Since returning to the Flyers crease on January 2nd, Neuvirth has stopped 48 of the last 50 shots (.960 SV%) that he has faced. The 29-year-old comes into Thursday at 2-3-1 with a 2.53 GAA and .921 SV% on home-ice this season.
Lundqvist turned aside 25 of 26 shots in the Rangers win over the Flyers on Tuesday. Lundqvist has gone 3-2-0 with a 2.30 GAA and .933 SV% in five starts and one relief appearance in January. It draws a great matchup tonight vs. the Sabres—he stopped 31 of 33 shots in a 3-2 OT win in his first start against Buffalo.
Heatherington, 22, has been practicing with the Stars but will finally draw into the lineup on Thursday. The former second round pick (No.50 in 2013) had three goals and 10 assists (13 points) in 39 games with Texas (AHL) prior to his recall. Heatherington has complied 47 points (9G / 38A) in 165 career AHL contests.
Lehtonen stopped 30 of 32 shots in the Stars win in Boston on Monday. Ben Bishop started the last two games but Lehtonen will face the Sabres on Saturday afternoon. Lehtonen stopped 27 of 28 shots in a 5-1 win in his first start vs. the Sabres.
Bishop allowed two goals on 15 shots in the Stars win in Detroit on Tuesday. It was an easy night for Bishop, who has won three of his last four starts while posting a 2.26 GAA and .923 SV%. In his first start against the Blue Jackets, Bishop allowed two goals on 26 shots in a 2-1 loss.
Murray missed two games to attend to a family matter before joining his team on their Californian road-trip. It seemed like Murray was on-pace to start Wednesday’s game but his dad passed away so Murray will return home for an indefinite period of time.
Jokinen has had a very difficult campaign after signing with the Oilers this offseason. Jokinen had just one assist in 14 games with Edmonton before being traded to the Kings, where he added another five points (1G / 4A) in 18 games. The Blue Jackets offence needs a boost and Jokinen should help their 30th ranked power-play (13.5%).
Miller missed Tuesday's practice with the flu and is expected to be replaced by Adam McQuaid in the Bruins lineup tonight. Consider Miller as day-to-day.
McQuaid has not played since October 19th and has only appeared in six games with the Bruins this season. McQuaid will be the Bruins only line change tonight as he replaces Kevan Miller and will play alongside Matt Grzelcyk on the blueline.
Beaulieu was not on the ice for Sabres’ practice on Wednesday and is questionable for Thursday’s game in New York. The Sabres recalled Casey Nelson from Rochester (AHL) to take Beaulieu’s spot if he can’t play tomorrow.
Nelson has picked up two goals and nine assist (11 points) in 37 games with the Americans this season. He could make his season debut during his call-up and comes to the NHL with four assists in 18 career games.
Dea has collected nine goals and 14 assists (23 points) in 36 AHL games. The 23-year-old centre has appeared in one career NHL games and could make his season debut in Anaheim on Wednesday.
Prince left after playing just 9:53 TOI and did not return after suffering an upper-body injury. Head coach Doug Weight did not have an update on the winger, so consider him questionable for Thursday’s game for now.
Staal departed the game early in the third period after playing 14:09 and did not return. “We’ll know more Wednesday,” head coach Alain Vigneault said post-game as he did not have an update on the veteran defenseman. It doesn’t sound like injury is overly serious, but he should be considered questionable for Thursday’s game vs. the Sabres.
Toninato, 23, had one assist in eight games with the Avalanche earlier this season and could be back in their lineup on Thursday with Tyson Jost battling an undisclosed injury. During his time in the AHL Toninato has picked up seven goals and five assists (12 points) in 30 games.
Jost is reportedly dealing with an injury and could miss some time, so monitor his status prior to tomorrow’s game vs. the Sharks. The Avalanche recalled Dominic Toninato from San Antonio (AHL) to take Jost’s spot if he can’t play.
