Ritchie, who has recorded just one goal and one assist in 12 games so far this season, will miss tonight’s contest in Winnipeg which leaves him as questionable at best for Saturday’s home game vs. the Sabres.
Beleskey has been a healthy scratch for the lsat three games, but will draw back into the lineup tonight vs. the Golden Knights. He has no points with seven shots in six games so far this season.
Backes has already been ruled out for eight weeks, so his move to IR simply opens up a roster spot for the Bruins to recall Austin Czarnik from Providence (AHL).
Czarnik, 24, has not recorded a point in his two games with the Bruins so far this season, but has been lightning up the AHL, collecting 10 points (4G / 6A) in five games with Providence. He is expected to draw into the Bruins lineup on Thursday.
McCann will miss his fifth straight game with a lower-body injury, but has not been ruled out for Saturday’s game vs. the Rangers. McCann had a nice start to the season, collecting two goals and three assists (five points) in seven games, providing the Panthers with plenty of secondary offence.
McElhinney stopped 30 of 33 shots in the Maple Leafs win over the Red Wings on October 18th. McElhinney likely won’t see many start this season, but when he does he has a good chance at winning thanks to a high-powered offence in front of him. Tonight he takes on a Kings team that is 9-2-1 while averaging 3.25 goals for per game.
Dubnyk allowed one goal on 30 shots in the Wild’s win over the Penguins last Saturday. Alex Stalock gave him the night off on Tuesday, so Dubnyk comes into tonight’s meeting with the Habs well rested. Montreal got off to a terrible start to the season, but comes in as winners of three of their last four while averaging 4.50 goals per game.
Lagace gave up five goals on 37 shots in the Golden Knights loss to the Rangers on Tuesday. Lagace looked good through two periods, but New York turned it on in the third and there wasn’t much the 24-year-old netminder could do. With all the other netminders on the Vegas roster out, the crease is Lagace’s for the foreseeable future.
Lundqvist allowed four goals on 34 shots in the Rangers win over Vegas on Tuesday. The final stat line might not look great, but King Henrik was the only reason the Rangers weren’t blown out in the first two periods. Lundqvist finished October with just three wins in 10 tries while posting a 3.21 GAA and .898 SV%. It wasn’t pretty, but there should be better days ahead.
Allen allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Blues’ win over the Kings on Monday. It was his third straight win and seventh of the season—he finished October with a 2.46 GAA and .921 SV% in 10 starts, pretty much right where he is expected to be. He should make for a great option tonight against a Flyers team coming in on the tail-end of a back-to-back.
Vasilevskiy surrendered five goals on 23 shots but still walked away with the win in Florida on Monday. Vasilevskiy has had better nights, but playing behind the Lightning’s 4.08 goals for per game will give him a chance to win more often than not. He comes into Thursday with a 6-0-0 record, 2.32 GAA and .927 SV% on home ice this season.
Holtby allowed just two goals on 40 shots in the Capitals’ win in Edmonton last Saturday. Philipp Grubauer got the nod on Sunday, so no surprises that Holtby will go tonight vs. the Islanders. He has not faced the Isles yet this season, but has gone 1-2-0 with a 1.70 GAA and .952 SV% at Capital One Arena so far this season.
Gudas left yesterday’s game in the first period after being hit by Blackhawks’ forward Brandon Saad. This is another big blow to the Flyers’ blueline that is already without Shayne Gostisbehere, Andrew MacDonald and Samuel Morin. Consider Gudas as doubtful for Thursday's game in St. Louis.
Hickey has been a healthy scratch for the last two games, but will replace Adam Pelech (undisclosed) in the lineup tonight in Washington. Hickey has registered just two assists with 11 shots on goal in 10 games so far this season.
Pelech is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury and will not play tonight in Washington. With Pelech sidelined, Thomas Hickey will re-enter the lineup.
Halak allowed three goals on 34 shots in the Islanders win over the Golden Knights’ on Monday. Halak will make his third consecutive start tonight in Washington and comes in on a four-game winning streak, having posted a 2.69 GAA and .921 SV% over that stretch. The 32-year old is 2-2-0 with a 2.44 GAA and .921 SV% on the road so far.
Atkinson will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury that he suffered last Saturday and it’s unclear whether he will join the team on their three-game road trip or not. Tyler Motte will remain in the lineup with Atkinson sidelined.
Bobrovsky allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Blue Jackets’ win over the Bruins on Monday. Bobrovsky has now won three straight while allowing just five goals on 95 shots (.947 SV%). Goalie Bob has won seven of his nine starts while posting a 1.97 GAA, .934 SV% and one shutout through the first month of the season.
Johansson returned to the lineup on Wednesday after missing one game with a lower-body injury and he did not last long. Johansson crashed face-first into the end boards during his first shift of the game, but was able to leave the ice under his own power after being attended to by the medical staff. Head coach John Hynes said Johansson will be re-evaluated on Thursday.
Brett Pesce (concussion) landed on IR yesterday, so McKeown has been recalled to serve as the Hurricanes seventh defenseman. The 21-year-old, former second round pick (No.50 overall in 2014) has picked up three points (1G / 2A) in nine games with Charlotte this season.
