Dahlbeck did not play in the last two games, but he will be in the lineup tonight vs. the Sharks. With Dahlbeck back in, Kevin Connauton will be a healthy scratch. Dahlbeck has just five points (2G / 3A) in 43 games this season.
Richards went back home for his grandfather’s funeral, so he will not play on Friday in Buffalo. However, Richards is expected to play on Saturday vs. the Ducks. With Richards out, Joakim Andersson is expected to play.
Despite skating over the last week, Price remains at least three weeks away from returning to the Canadiens crease. This is a tough blow for a Habs team that continues to slip in the standings. With Price sidelined until mid-to-late February, Montreal will continue to roll with Mike Condon and Ben Scrivens as their goaltending tandem.
Burmistrov is banged up and listed as a game-time decision for tonight’s game vs. Nashville. If Burmistrov cannot play, he will be replaced by Patrice Cormier. Monitor his status during the pregame warmups.
Panik overslept and missed the Blackhawks morning skate, so he will be scratched tonight vs. the Lightning. With Panik our and Ryan Garbutt traded (to Anaheim) the Blackhawks will go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
Carlson practiced again on Thursday, but he remains doubtful for Friday’s contest. Monitor his status during tomorrow’s morning skate, but it doesn’t look like he will be in the lineup.
The Wild have lost their last five games, so Schroeder has been recalled and could play on Thursday. He brings some much needed speed to the Wild’s lineup, but he has just one goal in 11 games with Minnesota this season. In 25 games with Iowa, he has 20 points (10G / 10A).
Turris is listed as a game-time decision after missing Wednesday’s practice and Thursday’s optional morning skate. Matt Puempel will replace Turris in the lineup if he is unable to play.
Tatar was a late scratch from Wednesday’s game vs. the Blues, but he did practice this afternoon. Coach Jeff Blashill said that Tatar did not feel very well, but he is expected to play on Friday.
Hoffman skated this morning, which could be a good sign that he plays tonight vs. the Devils, but we will not know until pregame. If Hoffman can’t play, Shane Prince is expected to be back in the lineup. Monitor his status during pregame warmups.
Couturier will be scratched on Thursday vs. the Penguins, which is a tough break for the Flyers. Couturier usually serves as a checking forward against Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. With Couturier out, Jordan Weal will make his Flyers debut.
Markstrom allowed two goals on 40 shots in the Canucks win in Carolina last Friday. Ryan Miller started the last two games, but Markstrom will start tonight in Boston. Markstrom has won three of his last four starts while posting a 2.17 GAA and .931 SV%. Boston comes in having won three straight and Markstrom was torched for four goals on 22 shots in his first start against the Bruins.
Crawford allowed one goal on 39 shots in the Blackhawks win over the Predators on Tuesday. Crawford has been victorious in nine consecutive starts while posting a stellar 1.88 GAA and .946 SV%. Crawford has been red-hot, but tonight he will face a team that as been excellent as of late as well—the Lightning come in having won six straight games.
Ference has not played since November 27th and has only appeared in six games this season and that is all he will play in. Ference will undergo season ending hip surgery, but he still has one more year left on his deal with the Oilers.
Niemi gave up four goals on 39 shots in the Stars loss in San Jose last Saturday. Niemi has dropped four straight games while posting a 3.75 GAA and .878 SV%. The Stars have struggled recently, but they draw a strong matchup tonight vs. a banged up Oilers squad. I his first start in Edmonton, he allowed two goals on 24 shots in a 2-1 OT loss.
Mason allowed three goals on 35 shots in the Flyers 3-2 loss to the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Mason is 3-1-1 with a 1.95 GAA and .934 SV% in his last five games and tonight he faces a familiar foe in Pittsburgh. On paper it looks like a nice matchup, because the Penguins come in having lost five of their last seven games.
Hellebuyck allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Jets loss to the Avalanche on Monday. January has been a roller coaster ride for Hellebuyck, who is 4-3-1 with a 1.87 GAA and .938 SV%. Tonight will be his third start vs. the Predators—he has gone 2-0-0 with a 2.48 GAA and .937 SV% in their first two meetings.
Zalewski, 23, has registered 17 points (8G / 9A) in 36 games with Utica this season and he is expected to make his NHL debut on Thursday. Zalewski centred the Canucks fourth line in the morning skate, so expect to replace Adam Cracknell in the lineup.
Beaulieu suffered a lower-body injury in Tuesday’s game vs. the Bruins and is officially listed as day-to-day. The Canadiens are off until Saturday, so monitor Beaulieu’s status as we approach the weekend.
