Johansson did not play in Minnesota's last outing and exited the previous game after playing only 2:47 time-on-ice. He has 27 points (9G / 11A) in 61 games this season. In a corresponding move, Adam Beckman has been recalled from the Iowa Wild (AHL).
Beauvillier was traded from the Vancouver Canucks to the Chicago Blackhawks earlier this season for a fifth-round pick and has now been flipped from the Blackhawks to the Predators for a fifth-rounder. The 26-year-old Beauvillier struggled for an offensively challenged Blackhawks team, registering six points (2G / 4A) and a - 10 plus/minus in 26 games.
Binnington has performed admirably most of the season, keeping the Blues in playoff contention, and will likely return to the crease on Thursday night. The 30-year-old Binnington had the night off on Tuesday, a 4-2 loss to the New York Islanders, but is riding a two-game winning streak, allowing only one goal in both outings. The Blues enter action as +157 road underdogs on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils.
Kuemper was not at the morning skate on Thursday due to an illness but could still be an option between the pipes in the evening against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Kuemper last played on February 26th and saved 18 of 21 shots (.857 SV%) in a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators.
Sundqvist has quietly been productive in a depth role with the Blues this season, earning himself a two-year, $3 million contract extension. In 62 games this season, Sundqvist has 21 points (5G / 16A), 75 hits, and 46 blocks.
The Blue Jackets opted for an 11-forward, seven-defensemen formation on Tuesday but will return to the traditional formation on Thursday as Bean will be a healthy scratch, allowing Kiril Marchenko to draw back into the lineup. Bean played 13:26 time-on-ice on Tuesday, tallying one assist.
Pascal Vincent and the Blue Jackets coaching staff opted to go with an 11-forward, seven-defenseman formation on Tuesday, but Marchenko will draw back into the lineup on Thursday in favour of Jake Bean. Marchenko tallied an assist and one shot on goal in his last outing, Monday's 6-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights.
Tarasov served as the Blue Jackets' backup in their last outing, a 5-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he will return to the crease on Thursday night. The 24-year-old Tarasov was impressive in his last contest, saving 37 of 40 shots (.925 SV%) in a 6-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Tarasov and the Blue Jackets are +228 home underdogs on Thursday against another challenging foe, the Edmonton Oilers.
O'Connor was limited to only 9:07 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets before exiting the game with a concussion. He has been held off the scoresheet in six straight games after collecting four points (3G / 1A) in his previous three.
Edmundson will join the Maple Leafs, likely as a bottom-pairing depth defenseman, as they attempt to bolster their blueline ahead of Friday's trade deadline. The 30-year-old Edmundson had six points (1G / 5A), 58 hits, and 49 blocks in 44 games with the Washington Capitals this season.
Harkins played 7:07 time-on-ice in Sunday's crushing 6-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers but was a game-time decision on Tuesday and did not play. The 26-year-old Harkins has four points (0G / 4A) in 42 games this season.
Acciari returned to the lineup two weeks ago after a multi-week absence due to an injury, and after playing six games, was on the sidelines in the Penguins' last contest. The Penguins' bottom-six forward has one assist, six shots, and nine hits in his last six games.
Pickard has been excellent in a backup role since joining the Oilers in November and will likely return to the crease for the second time in the last three games. In his last outing, Pickard saved 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%), having his shutout bid snapped in the third period in a 6-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Oilers enter action as -261 road favourites on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Gadjovich has impressed in his first season with the Panthers, playing in a bottom-six role, and has been rewarded with a two-year, $1.55 million contract extension. The 25-year-old Gadjovich has four points (2G / 2A) in 33 games this season.
Forsling has been the picture of consistency for the Panthers the last several seasons and has been rewarded with an eight-year, $46 million contract extension. The 27-year-old defender has 30 points (9G / 21A) in 61 games this season, averaging nearly 0.5 points per game, as he has the last two seasons.
With Thomas Chabot injured, Ottawa has recalled Guenette from Belleville (AHL). Guenette played two games with Ottawa earlier this season but has spent most of his time with Belleville, scoring 29 points (5G / 24A) in 49 games.
With Matthew Highmore injured, Ottawa has recalled Smejkal from Belleville (AHL). Smejkal played nine game with Ottawa earlier this season but has spent most of his time with Belleville, tallying 19 points (8G / 11A) in 39 games.
The Bruins have lost five of their last seven, with their two wins coming with Swayman between the pipes. Swayman was outstanding in his last outing, saving 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%) in a 4-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs and will tend the twine in a rematch on Thursday night. The Bruins enter action as -141 home favourites.
Forbort has missed the last two games and will miss a third on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs due to an undisclosed ailment. Forbort last played in Saturday's 5-1 loss to the New York Islanders, recording two shots and two hits in 19:27 time-on-ice.
The Rangers have been off since Monday and do not play again until Saturday, so Trouba is hopeful that will be enough time to recover from his upper-body ailment that has him considered day-to-day. In his last three games, Trouba has two points (0G / 2A), nine shots, and eight hits.
