MacDonald played the last six games for the Sharks but only averaged slightly above 10 minutes of ice time in his last two contests. The 31-year-old defenseman has eight points (6G / 2A), 34 hits, and 17 blocks in 30 games this season.
Labanc has been a healthy scratch in four straight games but will re-enter the lineup on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. Before his absence from the lineup, Labanc had two points (0G / 2A) during a two-game point streak.
Hoffman has not played since March 9th, missing eight games due to a concussion. Hoffman has struggled this season but has been slightly more productive lately, tallying four points (2G / 2A) in his last four games.
The Sharks, losers of eight straight, will attempt to stop the bleeding by turning to Blackwood in the crease for the third time in the last four games. Blackwood has allowed 10 combined goals in his last two games, including six on 41 shots (.854 SV%) on Tuesday, a 6-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. The Sharks enter action as sizeable +329 road underdogs against the Minnesota Wild.
The Flames have lost four straight, being outscored 16-6, and will likely turn to Wolf for the third time in the last five games. Wolf played well in his last outing, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%), despite being on the wrong end of a 4-1 game against the Buffalo Sabres. The Flames enter action on Thursday as +119 road underdogs against the St. Louis Blues.
Barabanov played only 9:15 time-on-ice in the Sharks' 6-3 loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday before exiting the contest with a lower-body injury. After a breakout 47-point campaign last season, Barabanov has been limited to only 13 points (4G / 9A) in 46 games this season.
The Sharks, losers of eight straight, will attempt to stop the bleeding by turning to Blackwood in the crease for the third time in the last four games. Blackwood has allowed 10 combined goals in his last two games, including six on 41 shots (.854 SV%) on Tuesday, a 6-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. The Sharks enter action as sizeable +329 road underdogs against the Minnesota Wild.
Marco Scandella replaced Bolduc on Monday, as the Blues went with an 11-forward, seven-defenseman formation. Bolduc has been a lineup-regular for the Blues over the last month and will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. Bolduc has two points (0G / 2A) in his last six games.
The Oilers snapped a two-game losing skid on Tuesday courtesy of Skinner and will roll with him again on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. Skinner saved 22 of 25 shots (.880 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets and has allowed three or more goals in four straight (2-1-1). The Oilers enter action -150 home favourites against the Kings.
Perfetti started the season with 29 points (14G / 15A) in 39 games but has since scored only three points (1G / 2A) in 26 games and will be a healthy scratch on Thursday. David Gustafsson will draw into the lineup as Perfetti's replacement.
Cole Perfetti will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Gustafsson to re-enter the lineup. Gustafsson last played on March 21st and has zero points in his last nine games.
The Blue Jackets have lost five straight, being outscored 26-9, and will turn to Tarasov between the pipes to attempt to stop the bleeding in a match against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tarasov has allowed four goals in his last two contests (0-2-0), but was solid in his previous outing, saving 43 of 47 shots (.915 SV%) in a 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Blue Jackets enter action as +194 road underdogs.
The Blackhawks are riding a rare two-game winning streak and will have Mrazek in the crease for the third straight game. Mrazek was stellar in his last outing, saving 38 of 39 shots (.974 SV%) to hold off the Calgary Flames in a 3-1 victory. The Blackhawks enter action as +156 road underdogs against an Ottawa Senators that played last night, defeating the Buffalo Sabres 6-2.
Krug's status for Thursday's game against the Calgary Flames is up in the air as he is battling an illness. The veteran blueliner has struggled lately, scoring only one point (0G / 1A) in his last six games.
With Adin Hill (undisclosed) still sidelined, Thompson will likely start for the Golden Knights again on Thursday. Thompson was stellar in his last outing, saving 32 of 32 shots (.969 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues, and has only allowed one goal in each of his last three starts (3-0-0). The Golden Knights enter action as +108 road underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets club riding a four-game losing skid.
Nate Schmidt will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Samberg to re-enter the lineup. Samberg has been a healthy scratch in three of the last seven games for the Jets and has been held off the scoresheet in four straight.
Schmidt will be a healthy scratch for the second time in the last five games as Dylan Samberg will draw back into the lineup. Schmidt has two points (1G / 1A), seven shots, and four hits in his last six games.
Eriksson Ek has not played the last five games due to a lower-body injury but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. Eriksson Ek has been tremendous for Minnesota this season, scoring 60 points (29G / 31A) in 66 games, only one point shy of his career-high set last season.
Brodin did not play in Minnesota's last game due to a lower-body injury but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. Brodin is averaging 23:37 time-on-ice, and his presence on the blueline was sorely missed in a 5-4 loss to the St. Louis Blues.
Despite recording a shutout in his last outing, Minnesota opted to start Marc-Andre Fleury in the following two games, both losses. Minnesota will return to Gustavsson between the pipes on Thursday in a favourable matchup against the San Jose Sharks. Minnesota enters the action as a significant -389 home favourite.
