Barbashev, 21, was a second round pick (No. 33 overall) in 2014 and this is his first NHL call-up. With Kyle Brodziak out for five weeks, Barbashev will get a chance to make his NHL debut. The Russian centre has picked up 19 goals and 18 assists (37 points) in 44 games with Chicago this season.
Brodziak was hurt in Pittsburgh on Tuesday and is expected to miss five weeks with a foot injury. The Blues have moved him to IR to create a roster opening to call-up Ivan Barbashev from Chicago (AHL).
Greiss allowed two goals on 23 shots in the Islanders win over the Blue Jackets on Tuesday. Greiss has played really well in the Islanders goal and comes into tonight having won three of four while posting a 1.23 GAA, .960 SV% and two shutouts. In his only other start against the Canadiens, Greiss allowed three goals on 29 shots in a 3-2 loss back in October.
McElhinney allowed two goals on 37 shots in a win in his Maple Leafs debut in Ottawa on January 14th. It was a nice debut for McElhinney, who will be making his second start in Blue and White tonight in Philadelphia. After struggling for much of January, the Flyers have suddenly won two in a row and will present a tough test for the veteran netminder.
Andersen stopped all 26 shots that he faced in the Maple Leafs’ shutout win over the Flames on Monday. Andersen has mostly struggled in January, going 5-2-2 with a 3.08 GAA and .902 SV%, but Monday was his second shutout of the season. Tonight he faces the Red Wings for the second time this season—he allowed four goals on 37 shots in a 5-4 OT win in the Centennial Classic.
Talbot allowed two goals on 44 shots in the Oilers’ shootout loss to Nashville on Friday night. Laurent Brossoit started on Saturday, so Talbot will be back between the pipes tonight in Anaheim. The 29-year-old has gone 1–1-0 with a 2.92 GAA and .900 SV% in two starts against the Ducks this season.
Hutton stopped all 34 shots that he faced in the Blues shutout win in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Jake Allen was scheduled to make return to the crease tonight, but Hutton’s performance in Pittsburgh was so good that head coach Ken Hitchcock is rewarding him with another start tonight in Minnesota. Hutton comes in at 4-2-0 with a 2.21 GAA and .916 SV% in January.
Kossila, 23, signed with the Ducks as an undrafted free agent and has collected 27 points (9G / 18A) in 33 games with San Diego. Kossila could make his NHL debut Wednesday vs. the Oilers.
Ducks' head coach Randy Carlyle never reveals his starting netminder and with John Gibson ailing and the Ducks not holding a morning skate, it's impossible to get a read on who will go tonight. He called Gibson a game-time decision, so it looks like we will have to wait until warmups to find out who starts for the Ducks.
Strait, 29, has collected five assists in 27 games with Manitoba this season and could make his Jets’ debut on Thursday. Strait has 27 points (6G / 21A) in 182 career NHL games with the Penguins and Islanders.
Perreault was hurt in the Jets’ loss to the Ducks on Monday. He was slashed by Corey Perry and is out indefinitely with an undisclosed injury. His move to IR was simply a formality in order to make room for them to recall Brian Strait.
Silfverberg will miss his third consecutive game with an upper-body injury that he suffered last Thursday. Tonight is the Ducks’ final game before the All-Star break, so sitting out tonight affords Silfverberg an additional five days of rest.
Darling stopped all 30 shots that he faced in the Blackhawks’ shutout win in Boston last Friday. Darling carries an impressive 12-4-2 record as the Blackhawks’ backup and enters Thursday with a 1.98 GAA and .938 SV% on home ice this season. He is a strong spot-start option vs. a Jets team that has lost six of eight.
Hornqvist is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, which suggests that he won’t play in the final game before the All-Star break on Thursday. Monitor his status prior to tomorrow’s game in Boston. The Penguins will already be without Evgeni Malkin, so missing Hornqvist as well would be a huge blow.
Malkin will miss tomorrow’s game and will be held out of the All-Star game. Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said that Malkin will be re-evaluated and the Penguins should offer a more detailed timetable when they know more.
