Schwartz has been on long-term injured reserve since November 28th, missing 16 games with an upper-body injury, but returned to practice last week and is scheduled to play on Tuesday. Before his injury, Schwartz was in the midst of a cold streak, scoring only one point (0G / 1A) and registering a -5 plus/minus in his last eight games.
Malinski has had some success with the Avalanche earlier this season and will get another chance to showcase his talents as he was recalled on an emergency basis on Monday. In 14 games with the Avalanche, Malinski has five points (1G / 4A), 15 shots, and 15 blocks.
Manson was a game-time decision on Monday due to an undisclosed injury. Manson has been an effective contributor over the last couple of weeks with five points (3G / 2A), 18 shots on goal, and 24 hits in his last seven games. Sam Malinski will draw into the lineup in his place.
Manson has been an effective contributor over the last couple of weeks with five points (3G / 2A), 18 shots on goal, and 24 hits in his last seven games. If he is unable to suit up on Monday, Sam Malinski will likely draw into the lineup.
Lehkonen participated in his first full practice on Monday after several weeks of wearing a non-contact jersey. Before his injury, Lehkonen had eight points (3G / 5A) in 12 games, averaging 18:30 time-on-ice, playing predominantly alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, including top powerplay deployment. Valeri Nischushkin has been the main benefactor, occupying Lehkonen's offensive deployment, scoring 32 points (18G / 14A) in 26 games since.
Malinski has had some success with the Avalanche earlier this season and could another chance to showcase his talents as he was recalled on an emergency basis on Monday. In 14 games with the Avalanche, Malinski has five points (1G / 4A), 15 shots, and 15 blocks.
Juulsen has been a regular in the lineup for the Canucks since mid-November but will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the New York Rangers. In 28 games this season, Juulsen has two point (0G / 2A), 66 hits, and 45 blocks.
Necas left Thursday's practice early due to the injury and appears to be unavailable for Friday's game against the Capitals. The 24-year-old winger has nine goals and 17 assists in 38 games this season.
Blackwood will return to the Sharks' crease on Thursday for the first time since December 23rd. Blackwood was sidelined for two games with an illness, though he was healthy enough to serve as Kaapo Kahkonen's backup for each of the last two games. Blackwood had a start to forget his last time out, surrendering six goals on 25 shots as the Sharks fell to the Canucks by a score of 7-4. His record now sits at 4-14-12 on the season to go along with an .889 SV% and a 3.92 GAA. Things won't get any easier for him on Thursday with the Sharks currently being heavy home underdogs at +225 to the Jets.
Wedgewood will get the nod in goal for the Stars for the eighth consecutive game on Thursday. Wedgewood has started every game since Jake Oettinger went down with a lower-body injury on December 15th, and the Stars couldn't have asked for anything more from their backup netminder. Despite a a couple of rocky appearances, Wedgewood has been solid enough to deliver a 5-2-1 record in Oettinger's absence, and appears to have the full confidence of head coach Peter DeBoer as the interim starting goalie. He'll have his hands full on Thursday as the Stars welcome the Avalanche to town.
Schwartz has been on long-term injured reserve since November 28th, missing 15 games with an upper-body injury, but appears to be nearing a return after being a full participant at practice on Wednesday. Before his injury, Schwartz was in the midst of a cold streak, scoring only one point (0G / 1A) and registering a -5 plus/minus in his last eight games.
Wedgewood will remain between the pipes for the ninth straight game for the Stars since Jake Oettinger suffered a lower-body injury on December 15th. Wedgewood has been unspectacular in the crease but has given his team a chance to win each night, allowing three goals or fewer in six of his last eight games (6-1-1), posting a serviceable .906 SV%. The Stars are significant -280 home favourites against the Montreal Canadiens, who have lost three straight games and four of their last five (1-3-1).
Hinostroza has been reassigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL, indicating that Bryan Rust will likely return to the lineup for Pittsburgh. In 14 games with Pittsburgh, Hinostroza has three points (1G / 2A) and 27 shots on goal while averaging 9:45 time-on-ice.
Wedgewood will start for the sixth straight game on Wednesday as he continues to be a mainstay between the pipes for the Stars, with Jake Oettinger still week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Wedgewood was terrific in a losing effort on Wednesday, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%), but did not receive ample goal support as the Stars fell 2-1 to the St. Louis Blues. In their first matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks this season, the Stars are enormous -378 home favourites and will face off against them again on Sunday.
