Kane has been out since the season opener with a knee injury that he suffered in the first few shifts of the game. He will skate with Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler tonight against New Jersey team he has 11 points against in his career.
Not skating this morning is not a good sign that Backes will be available tonight after suffering an upper-body injury vs. the Stars on Tuesday. Expect an update following the skate.
It looks like Jones will get his first start since October 12th when he stopped 29 of 30 shots in a win over the Jets. Tonight, he would face the high-octane Penguins offence. He has allowed three goals in five career periods against Pittsburgh. There is safer spot-start options out there tonight.
Emery has won each of his last three starts while posting a 2.30 GAA and stopping 95 of 102 shots (.931 SV%). He appears to have supplanted Steve Mason for the starting job for now, however, Mason is expected to be between the pipes on Saturday. Tampa has a potent offence so be wary of this matchup.
Kuemper looked like he was on his way to a fourth shutout, until he surrendered five third period goals in a 5-4 loss to the Rangers on Monday. It was a bit of a reality check for Kuemper, who will get a chance to bounce-back tonight vs. the Sharks. It is not a favourable matchup, but lets see how the young goalie responds to his first bad start of the season.
Darling stopped 24 of 25 shots in the Hawks 1-0 loss to the Ducks on Tuesday. It was a tough way to suffer your first NHL loss, but they will give him the chance to get back in the win column tonight vs. Ottawa. He stopped 32 of 33 shots in a 2-1 win over the Senators in his NHL debut on Sunday.
Marchand left practice early on Wednesday after he "tweaked something". He will be game-time decision tonight so we will find out if he is in during warmups. If he is out, Matt Fraser will play.
Svedberg allowed three goals on 38 shots in a loss to the Islanders last Thursday. He watched Tuukka Rask start the next two, but will be back between the pipes tonight against a Sabres team that he had a 32-save shutout against on October 18. This is as good of a spot-start as you will find tonight.
Pavelec gave up three goals on 21 shots in the Jets 4-3 victory over the Islanders on Tuesday. It marked the first time this season that Pav has won back-to-back games and he now has four W's on the season. He has a quality matchup tonight vs. a Devils team who just got rocked 8-3 by the Penguins on Tuesday.
Kane is on the ice for the Jets morning skate and participating in regular line rushes with Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler, which is a good sign that Kane will return to the Jets lineup tonight. Expect confirmation following the morning skate.
Luongo stopped 39 of 41 shots in the Panthers overtime loss to the Coyotes on Saturday. With four days off between games, the Panthers will turn to Luongo again tonight. He has been hot as of late, posting a .951 SV% over his last for starts. Tonight, he faces the Coyotes against, so get him in your lineup.
Fleury gave up three goals on 19 shots, including a softy nine seconds in, but the Penguins lit up the scoreboard for an 8-3 victory vs. new Jersey on Tuesday. It looks like he will go again tonight against a Los Angeles team without Marian Gaborik and Anze Kopitar.
Schneider was pulled after he gave up five goals on 23 shots in the Devils 8-3 loss to the Penguins on Tuesday. A lot of team struggle to keep the puck out of their net vs. Pittsburgh, but Tuesday was a little ridiculous. Schneider should have an easier night tonight with the Jets in town, but he is not off to a great start---3.15 GAA and .901 SV% in nine games.
Megna, 24, has recorded two goals and one assist in nine games with WBS this season. Megna played 36 games in his rookie season a year ago and totalled nine points (5G / 4A). No word on if he will be in the lineup on Thursday.
Cammalleri will likely miss his second straight game with a jaw injury. He was not on the ice for the morning skate, which suggests that he won't be in the lineup yet again. With Cammalleri out, Reid Boucher will stay in the lineup.
Schneider was pulled after he gave up five goals on 23 shots in the Devils 8-3 loss to the Penguins on Tuesday. A lot of team struggle to keep the puck out of their net vs. Pittsburgh, but Tuesday was a little ridiculous. Schneider should have an easier night tonight with the Jets in town, but he is not off to a great start---3.15 GAA and .901 SV% in nine games.
Letestu is expected to miss 2-4 weeks with a groin injury that he suffered on Tuesday. The Blue Jackets recalled Sean Collins to fill in for Letestu on Friday vs. Toronto.
Wisniewski is expected to miss 1-2 weeks with a broken finger. Cody Goloubef is expected to slide into the lineup for the Wisniewski on Friday.
Gibbons, 26, was signed by the Blue Jackets as a free agent last July and has collected one goal and three assists in seven games with Springfield this season. He spent the previous three seasons in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization, collecting 17 points (5G / 12A) in 41 career NHL games.
Collins, 25, has collected one goal and five assists in eight games with Springfield this season. Columbus’ seventh-round pick (187th overall) in 2008, he has registered one assist in 11 career NHL games over the past two seasons.
