Francouz has gone 11-10-3 with a 2.46 GAA and .920 SV% in 14 games (11 starts) this season. Injuries have been the biggest issue for Francouz but when healthy he is definitely and above-average backup.
Manson has been sidelined since January 29th but is set to play Saturday in New Jersey. Manson will likely replace Andrej Sustr in the lineup and comes in with just seven points (3G / 4A) in 43 games this season.
Landeskog has been dealing with a nagging knee injury for "a little bit." He'll undergo surgery and the Avalanche are hopeful that he'll be back for the start of the playoffs but they will know more after the surgery. This is obviously a terrible blow for the Avalanche but they are virtually locked into the playoffs, so they will give Landeskog the opportunity to get right ahead of what they hope is a lengthy playoff run.
Wolanin will take Andreas Athanasiou's spot on the roster after Athanasiou was moved to IR with an undisclosed injury. Wolanin has 11 assists in 24 AHL games this season.
Hinostroza will play for the first time since January 17th, replacing Anders Bjork on the Sabres' fourth line. Hinostroza has scored eight goals with nine assists (17 points) in 36 games this season.
Schwartz has not played since December 29th due to a hand injury but is expected to be back in the lineup in Washington. Schwartz has tallied six goals with 14 assists (20 points) in 29 games this season.
MacKinnon missed Wednesday's game in Detroit with a "minor" lower-body injury but will play Friday vs. the Jets. MacKinnon will be back on the top line and top power-play unit and comes in with 24 points (9G / 15A) in 19 games since the beginning of January.
According to head coach Jared Bednar, MacKinnon's lower-body injury is "minor," so he could be back for Friday's game vs. the Jets.
Merkley plaid in two straight games, failing to register a point while playing 14:40 TOI/gm. Merkley will be replaced by Radim Simek.
Merkley has only played once in the last five games but will replace Radim Simek in the lineup on Thursday. Merkley has scored one goal with one assist in 15 games with the Sharks, playing primarily on the third pair and second power-play unit.
