Kuhnhackl scored his first goal of the season last night, but heads to Bridgeport so the Islanders could call-up Christopher Gibson. Kuhnhackl had 15 points (7G / 8A) in 23 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton the last time he was in the AHL (2015-16).
Bobrovsky stopped 23 of 24 shots after replacing Joonas Korpisalo in the Blue Jackets 5-3 loss to the Red Wings on Tuesday. Bobrovsky had a tough start to the season, but Tuesday’s outing could be a sign of things to come. Tonight he will face a Sharks team that has gone 4-0-2 while averaging 4.00 goals per game in their last six games.
Letang missed Tuesday’s game, but was back on the ice for Wednesday’s practice and could play Thursday vs. the Islanders. Letang’s return to the lineup would be huge for the Penguins, as the veteran defenseman has picked up 11 points (4G / 7A) in nine games this season.
Brassard will miss his third straight game with a lower-body injury. The Penguins did not provide much of an update on Brassard, so his status for Saturday’s game vs. the Maple Leafs is also in doubt.
Tanev will miss his fourth straight game with a bruised hip, but the Canucks are hopeful that he will be able to travel on the Canucks upcoming six-game road-trip.
Kane missed the Blackhawks morning skate with an illness and is officially listed as a game-time decision for tonight’s game in Vancouver. Kane has had a great start to the season, scoring 11 goals with seven assists (18 points) in 12 games this season. David Kampf or Andreas Martinsen would replace Kane if he can’t play.
Allen was forced to leave Saturday’s game with an undisclosed injury, but could play on Thursday. Allen said he’s good to go tomorrow, but the Blues have not made a decision on who will start.
Lehner was forced to leave Tuesday’s game in Pittsburgh after the second period. Lehner stopped 23 of 25 shots before departing the contest and now has an impressive 2.45 GAA and .928 SV% in seven games this season. Thomas Greiss is expected to start Thursday and Christopher Gibson has been called up to serve as the backup.
Price allowed three goals on 21 shots in the Canadiens loss to Dallas on Tuesday. It was a rare bad outing for Price, who was fantastic in the first month of the season. The 31-year-old enters Thursday’s game at 4-2-2 with a 2.24 GAA and .915 SV% on the season, including a 2-2-0, 2.51 GAA and .898 SV% on home-ice.
Byron was forced to leave Tuesday’s game vs. the Stars with a lower-body injury. Byron played just 8:41 TOI before leaving the contest and is not expected to play Thursday vs. the Capitals.
Walker picked up one assist in three games with the Kings but returns to the AHL where he had three goals and three assists in his first seven games.
The Kings have been using transactions to save some money this season, but Wagner’s return to the AHL could also mean that Gabe Vilardi is ready to make his NHL debut.
Jost will miss Colorado’s trip to Western Canada, so Vladislav Kamenev will move up and centre the second line. Monitor Jost’s stats as the Avalanche return to home-ice next Wednesday.
Jerabek was acquired from the Oilers before the season and only appeared in one game with the Blues. He heads to the AHL, where he had 11 points (1G / 10A) in 17 games with Laval (AHL) when he first game to North America.
Read failed to record a point in five games with the Wild. He returns to the AHL where he collected one assist in three games. He was originally called up because Joel Eriksson Ek was hurt, but was a healthy scratch on Tuesday.
Husso was recalled on Monday because Jake Allen was dealing with an injury, but it was not as serious as originally expected. Husso’s return to the AHL means that Allen will at least be available to backup on Thursday.
Greer has registered two goals and six assists (eight points) in eight AHL games this season. The 21-year-old, former second-round pick (No.39 overall in 2015) has just four assists in 22 career NHL games and will likely make his season debut on Thursday.
Dries did not pick up a point in four games with the Avalanche earlier in the season, but has two points (1G / 1A) in five AHL games with the Eagles. The 24-year-old will likely play on the upcoming two-game road-trip because the Avalanche are without Tyson Jost, J.T. Compher and Sven Andrighetto.
Rinne missed the last five games with an undisclosed injury, but will be available for Thursday’s game in Tampa Bay. Juuse Saros was 3-2-0 while allowing 13 goals on 157 shots (.917 SV%) in the five games without Rinne. The veteran was 3-1-0 with a 2.10 GAA and .929 SV% before getting hurt.
Hellebuyck allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Jets loss in Toronto last Saturday. Hellebuyck has not played very well as of late, losing four of his last six starts (2-3-1) while posting a 3.34 GAA and .898 SV%. This is not the type of performances we’ve been accustomed to seeing from Hellebuyck, but it could be due to the 33 shots per game he’s facing during that stretch.
