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.
Walman has averaged over 21 minutes of ice time over his last four contests but is battling a lower-body injury that has kept him out of the lineup for the last four games. Walman has only one point (1G / 0A) in his last 16 games.
Kleven was recalled from Belleville (AHL) in response to Thomas Chabot exiting Wednesday's contest with a lower-body injury. The 22-year-old Kleven has 17 points (3G / 14A) in 45 games with Belleville and will suit up for Ottawa on Thursday as Chabot is unable to play.
Chabot recorded an assist on Wednesday but played only 14:54 time-on-ice before exiting the game with a lower-body injury. The Senators have recalled Tyler Kleven from Belleville (AHL) to replace Chabot, who has six points (2G / 4A) in his last six games.
The Capitals will likely continue to roll with Lindgren between the pipes on Thursday as they push for a playoff spot. Lindgren has been tremendous lately, allowing three or fewer goals in nine of his last 10 games (8-2-0), including saving 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime victory against the Detroit Red Wings in his last outing. That said, his one blip came last week against the Toronto Maple Leafs, whom the Capitals face on Thursday, allowing seven goals on 29 shots (.759 SV%) in a 7-3 loss.
Colorado is dealing with an injury bug as Samuel Girard and Joel Kiviranta missed practice on Wednesday, so Jean-Luc Foudy has been recalled ahead of Thursday's game to provide depth in Tcase either of the players cannot play. The 21-year-old has appeared in one game this season and was incredibly efficient, scoring his first career goal off two SOG and 10:20 TOI.
Rielly missed his first game of the season due to injury on Tuesday due to a lower-body injury and will likely miss a second on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. The 30-year-old All-Star defenseman has enjoyed a very strong year leading the Maple Leafs' point, with seven goals, 51 points, 165 SOG, 27 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus through 65 games played.
The Sabres were on the losing end of an embarrassing 6-2 contest against the Ottawa Senators last night and will likely turn to Levi in the crease on Friday against the New Jersey Devils. Levi was solid in relief of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on Wednesday, saving 31 of 32 shots (.969 SV%) in the eventual 6-2 loss.
Matt Martin will draw into the lineup on Thursday and be the beneficiary of Holmstrom being a healthy scratch. Holmstrom has zero points while playing eight of the last nine games for the Islanders.
Simon Holmstrom will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Martin to re-enter the lineup. Martin last played on March 23rd and recorded one assist and two hits in 11:30 of ice time.
The Canadiens are riding a rare two-game winning streak, outscoring their opposition 7-2, and will turn to Primeau in net for the second time in the last three games. Primeau has allowed one or fewer goals in two of his last three starts (2-1-0), including saving 36 of 37 shots (.973 SV%) in his last outing, a 5-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. The Canadiens enter action as +138 home favourites against the Philadelphia Flyers.
