Chicago Blackhawks News

Weber recently began skating on his own, but is yet to return to practice. He has been out since December 16th and remains without a timetable for his return.

Dickinson has been a healthy scratch for the last two games, but will be back in the lineup vs. the Penguins. Dickinson has not registered a point in 12 games with the Stars. There’s no word on who will come out in favour of Dickinson, but head coach Ken Hitchcock said Dickinson will play.

Weber has been out for nearly two months with a foot injury but returned to the ice on Wednesday morning. This is obviously the next step in Weber’s recovery but he remains without a timetable for his return to the lineup.

Toninato, 23, had one assist in eight games with the Avalanche earlier this season and could be back in their lineup on Thursday with Tyson Jost battling an undisclosed injury. During his time in the AHL Toninato has picked up seven goals and five assists (12 points) in 30 games.

Burakovsky was expected to be in the lineup last night but was a late scratch due to an illness. The Capitals elected to keep him back in Washington for Friday’s game, recalling Travis Boyd from Hershey (AHL) to serve as their reserve forward.

Ellis missed the first 38 games of the season after undergoing offseason knee surgery, but will play his first game of the season tonight in Vegas. Ellis, who is expected to skate on a pairing with Roman Josi, is coming off of the best season of his career, in which he registered 16 goals and 22 assists (38 points) in 71 games. Ellis is one of the better offensive-defensemen in the NHL and makes the Predators that much more dangerous, especially on the power-play.

Dickinson was recalled from Texas (AHL) at the end of last week and will play tonight vs. Columbus. The 22-year-old has yet to pick up a point in five NHL games, but has 13 goals and three assists in 24 games games with Texas. Dickinson will play with Remi Elie out with an illness.

Burakovsky has struggled since returning from a thumb injury and has picked up just eight points (3G / 5A) in 19 games this season. Burakovsky has game-breaking talent and a great shot but has struggled to find his way early in his NHL career. Tonight he will sit for Chandler Stephenson.

Weber was sent home from their previous road-trip, missing the last three games and will miss at least three more with a foot injury. With both Weber and David Schlemko (illness) out, the Canadiens have recalled Brett Lernout from Laval (AHL) to go on the trip.