Prust has missed the last seven games with an upper-body injury that he suffered in mid-February. He will get back in the lineup with Rene Bourque taking a seat as a healthy scratch. Prust has accumulated 11 points (5G / 6A) and 105 penalty minutes in 48 games this season. He will skate on the Habs fourth line with Ryan White and Travis Moen.
Bourque has not scored a goal since February 4th and has no points with a minus-3 rating in his last five contests. It has been a tough year for Bourque, he has just 12 points (8G / 4A) in 53 games. He will take a seat while Brandon Prust returns from an upper-body injury.
O'Dell, 23, has two goals and one assist in 14 games with the Jets this season. He 2008 second-round pick (38th overall) has also tallied 16 goals and 22 assists (38 points) in 39 games with St. John's (AHL). O'Dell will centre the Jets fourth line with John Albert out with an upper-body injury.
Pavelec surrendered five goals on 20 shots before being yanked against the Senators on Saturday. He was given Monday night off after a three-game losing streak, but will get the call vs. Vancouver on Wednesday. Only one of the struggling Canucks or a struggling Pavelec will be able to get back on track tonight.
The crucial thing to keep in mind regarding Letang is there remains no time frame for his return. Also, the information on this end is that the Penguins are not expecting him to play again until next season. Letang was in good spirits on Tuesday night while conversing with teammates after the Penguins’ win over Washington. He said he has put on some weight in the past couple of weeks – a good sign given the muscle mass he had dropped during a month of nothing but rest after his stroke.
Salo left Monday's game with a lower-body injury after playing just 3:05 and did not return. Salo was injured while blocking a shot so there is a good chance that he is only dealing with a bruise and could play on Thursday.
Gudas has missed the last four games, but was reportedly surprised he did not play on Monday. Skating again this morning is a good sign that the Lightning will get the NHL's fifth leading hitter (209) back on Thursday. Monitor his status following tomorrow's morning skate.
Grabner left Monday's 7-4 win over the Canucks after playing only 11:51. There is no timetable for Grabner's return and a call-up from Bridgeport (AHL) will be made on Thursday. The Islanders already thin lineup is even more scarce now.
Rask stopped 17 of 20 shots in a 4-3 shootout win against the Lightning on Saturday. He has won three in a row with a 1.98 GAA and .923 SV%. Rask is 0-2-0 with a 3.31 GAA and .889 SV% in his previous two outings against the rival Habs. With Carey Price still on the shelf, Rask makes for an even more intriguing start.
Paille was concussed in Sunday's win over the Panthers. He is on the ice with the Bruins this morning, which is a good sign that he could be good-to-go by Saturday. Jordan Caron will skate in Paille's spot on the Bruins' fourth line.
Teravainen, 19, was drafted by the Blackhawks in the first round (19th overall) in 2012, had nine goals and 35 assists (44 points) in 48 games with Jokerit this season. . He signed an entry-level deal with the Blackhawks in August. According to a source, Finland is expected to give Teravainen its blessing to play for the Blackhawks and provide him an opportunity to be a part of the Stanley Cup playoffs instead of asking him to play for his country in the World Championship.
Budaj allowed two goals on 11 shots before being pulled two minutes into the second period during Saturday's 4-0 loss to the Sharks.With Carey Price still sidelined and Dustin Tokarski lacking NHL experience, the Habs will once again go with Budaj tonight in Boston. He has won two of six starts with a 3.42 GAA and .867 SV% since taking over for the injured Price.
Pavelec surrendered five goals on 20 shots before being yanked against the Senators on Saturday. He was given Monday night off after a three-game losing streak, but will get the call vs. Vancouver on Wednesday. Only one of the struggling Canucks or the struggling Pavelec will be able to get back on track tonight.
Varlamov allowed two goals on 35 shots in a win over the Jets on Monday. Varly has been great winning four of his last five starts while posting a 2.20 GA and .937 SV%. The 25-year-old is 3-0-0 with a 1.47 GAA and .963 SV% in his previous three starts against the Blackhawks this season.
Lack allowed six goals (all in the third period) on 21 shots in a 7-4 loss to the Islanders on Monday. Vancouver surrendered seven goals in the third period to a team who had lost eight of their last 11 prior to Monday. Lack has won one of four starts while posting a 2.59 GAA and .869 SV% since Roberto Luongo was traded.
Raanta has not been in between the pipes since January 28, he allowed four goals on 15 shots in 30 minutes of action that night. He has gone 12-2-3 with a 2.40 GAA and .904 SV% in his first season in the NHL. He draws a tough matchup vs. an Avalanche team who have won five of their last six while outscoring opponents 21-14.
Thomas started against the Blue Jackets on Monday, however the game was postponed because Rich Peverley collapsed on the Stars' bench. Expect him to be in goal tonight when the Stars take on the Blue in St. Louis. It is a really difficult matchup and could be a difficult game for the Stars after last night's incident.
Mrazek will be a late change to the Red Wings lineup in a crucial game vs. the Blue Jackets. He is 1-3-0 with a 1.64 GAA and .924 SV% with Detroit tonight. He has gone 18-5-1 with a 2.01 GAA and .928 SV% with Grand Rapids. Get Howie out of your lineup.
Ward stopped eight of nine shots after replacing Anton Khudobin in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Devils. Ward is 6-10-5 with a 3.21 GAA and .891 SV% this season. Those numbers are way off of his career numbers (2.77 / .909) so the Hurricanes continue to wait for him to get his injury plagued season on-track. Ward will need his A-game tonight with Henrik Lundqvist standing in the other net.
VandeVelde has been recalled because Zac Rinaldo (upper-body) is unavailable. VandeVelde has one assist in 17 games with the Flyers. He has also recorded nine goals and 14 assists in 39 games with Adirondack.
