Brown, 24, was a sixth-round pick in 2013 and is set to make his debut after playing 167 games in the AHL and 54 games in the ECHL. Brown has just three games in 19 games with the Thunderbirds this season.
Weegar suffered a concussion in Montreal on Tuesday on a hit that resulted in Paul Byron getting suspended for three games. Josh Brown is expected to make his NHL debut in Weegar’s place on Friday.
Trocheck appears ready to return to the Panthers lineup ahead of schedule after suffering a gruesome ankle injury on November 19th. Trocheck had a solid year going before getting hurt, posting 14 points (3G / 11A) in 18 games. Trocheck shot just 6.0 percent over that stretch but is a career 10.8 percent shooter, so he should be capable of adding 10-plus goals in the remaining 37 games.
Luongo allowed three goals on 34 shots in the Panthers loss in Vancouver last Sunday. Luongo was scheduled to start Tuesday in Montreal but ended up backing up James Reimer. Luongo is in the middle of a dreadful stretch, having gone 0-5-0 with a 4.48 GAA and .851 SV% in his last six starts.
Rinne was pulled after he allowed five goals on 20 shots in the Predators loss to the Hurricanes on Sunday. Dating back to the middle of December, Rinne has gone 3-6-2 with a 3.36 GAA, .890 SV% and one shutout in his last 12 starts. The 36-year-old has been great on home-ice this season though—11-5-0, 2.01 GAA and .923 SV%.
Andersen surrendered four goals on 36 shots in the Maple Leafs loss to the Avalanche on Monday. The Maple Leafs did not play well against Colorado and will need to be significantly better tonight if they want a chance vs. the Lightning. Andersen allowed four goals on 21 shots in a 4-1 loss in his first start in Tampa Bay.
Walker has been a scratch for the last three games but will replace Oscar Fantenberg in Dallas. Walker has collected just one goal and two assists in 17 games this season.
Fantenberg was not on the ice for the morning skate and will not play Thursday in Dallas. Sean Walker is expected to replace him and skate with Dion Phanuef. Fantenberg is day-to-day.
Gibson allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Ducks loss in Detroit on Tuesday. Gibson is now 0-6-4 with a 3.37 GAA and .895 SV% in his last 11 starts and will handle the task of trying to snap Anaheim’s 12-game losing streak tonight in Minnesota. Gibson allowed five gaols on 43 shots in a 5-1 loss in his first start vs. the Wild (Nov.9).
Byron’s suspension means that he will not play Friday in Columbus, Saturday vs. the Flyers or next Wednesday vs. the Coyotes. Charles Hudon and/or Matthew Peca will likely replace Byron on Friday.
Bishop has missed the last six games with a lower-body injury but “may be ready to go tomorrow” after practicing Thursday. Even if he plays, Bishop has just three points (1G / 2A) in 20 games while averaging just 9:27 TOI/gm, so he has no fantasy value.
Hellebuyck allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Jets win over the Ducks on Sunday. Laurent Brossoit started vs. the Red Wings to get Hellebuyck a few extra days of rest before a big game in Nashville. The 25-year-old allowed three goals on 30 shots in a 3-0 loss in his first start vs. the Predators this season.
Campbell allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Kings 3-1 loss in San Jose on January 7th. Campbell has gone 0-2-0 despite stopping 72 of the 75 shots (.960 SV%) that he has faced since returning to the NHL on New Year’s Day. Tonight he take on the team that drafted him back in 2010--he comes in at 1-6-0 with a 2.34 GAA and .930 SV% on the road.
McElhinney was not on the ice for Thursday’s practice and likely won’t play on Friday. Look for Petr Mrazek to start and for someone to be recalled from Charlotte (AHL).
Sanford was forced to leave Tuesday’s game against the Islanders and will miss Thursday’s game because he’s in concussion protocol. The Blues will dress seven defensemen to replace Sanford.
