Bernard-Docker will sit on Thursday in order to make way for the return of Travis Hamonic (lower-body). Bernard-Docker has four goals and nine assists in 13 games this season.
Hamonic has not played since February 27th, missing 10 games with a lower-body injury, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. The 33-year-old defenseman has six points (2G / 4A), 51 hits, and 74 blocks in 47 games this season.
Giroux is battling an illness and his status is up in the air for Thursday's contest against the St. Louis Blues. Despite the Senators' struggles this season, the 36-year-old Giroux has enjoyed another productive campaign, scoring 57 points (19G / 38A) in 67 games.
After a 6-2 loss to the Boston Bruins with Joonas Korpisalo between the pipes on Tuesday, the Senators will turn to Forsberg on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. Forsberg didn't fare any better in his last outing, allowing seven goals on 38 shots (.816 SV%) in a 7-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Senators, outscored 13-4 in their last two games (0-2-0), enter action as -126 home favourites against the Blues.
Larkin returned to practice in a full capacity on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury on March 2nd and appears ready to play on Thursday. Before his injury, Larkin led the Red Wings with 54 points (26G / 28A) in 55 games while averaging 3.0 shots per night.
Brossoit will look to extend Winnipeg's three-game winning streak as he takes the crease for the second time in four games on Thursday vs. New Jersey. The 30-year-old veteran netminder has been arguably the league's best backup this season with his impressive 12-4-2 record, 1.99 GAA and .927 SV%. He will head to New Jersey to take on the Devils, who have struggled as of late winning only three of their last 10 games.
DeSmith will get the call between the pipes for the fourth consecutive game when the Canucks host the Canadiens on Thursday. He picked up his first victory since taking over as the Canucks' interim starter in a 3-2 win over the Sabres on Tuesday, allowing two goals on 17 shots. He should continue to see the bulk of the work in the Canucks' crease over the next couple weeks while starter Thatcher Demko is sidelined with a knee injury. DeSmith is in a great spot to stay in the win column on Thursday, with the Canucks being -260 favourites over the Habs.
Jiricek has been in Cleveland (AHL) since early January but will head back to Columbus on Thursday on an emergency basis. The 20-year-old rookie defenseman has played well despite only averaging 14:46 TOI per game this season, with a goal, eight assists, 33 SOG, 20 PIMs, and a -1 plus/minus through 36 games played.
Pionk missed practice on Wednesday due to illness and is expected not to suit up on Thursday but still remains a game-time decision. If the 28-year-old is forced to miss Thursday, he will miss his first game of the season after picking up 25 points (5G/20A) in 68 games played.
Rempe served his two-game suspension and was a healthy scratch for the Rangers' previous game but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday in Boston. The 21-year-old towering winger has taken the NHL by storm since playing his first game in February, with a goal, two points, eight SOG, and 54 PIMs in 10 games played.
The Rangers will rely on Quick in the crease on Thursday night for his second start in the last four games. The veteran Quick has only played twice in the last 10 games but has recorded victories in each, most recently saving 34 of 38 shots (.895 SV%) in a 7-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 16th. The Rangers enter action as +126 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins club riding a three-game winning streak.
Pietrangelo was originally a game-time decision due to illness but will ultimately miss his second-straight game on Thursday vs. Seattle. The 34-year-old's production has been down this season compared to previous years as he has four goals, 32 points, and 24 PIMs in 62 games played.
Blackwell left Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury and will not be available on Thursday vs. Anaheim as he is being further evaluated by the team. The 30-year-old center has eight goals and 12 points in 39 games before his injury.
The Blackhawks will turn to Soderblom between the pipes for the fifth time in the last 10 games after a stretch of eight games with only one start. Soderblom has won two of his last three outings but allowed four goals on 14 shots (.714 SV%) in his last contest, a 5-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. The Blackhawks enter action as slight +106 road underdogs against an Anaheim Ducks club that has failed to score in three of their last four games (0-4-0).
Suchanek has spent the 2023-24 season between Anaheim's affiliates in San Diego (AHL) and Tulsa (ECHL) and earned himself a three-year, entry-level contract on Thursday with the Ducks. The 20-year-old undrafted netminder has excelled in San Diego this season, with his 12-6-3 record, 2.56 GAA and .919 SV%.
Dorofeyev missed the Golden Knights' previous game due to an undisclosed injury but will return to the lineup on Thursday vs. Seattle as he replaces Paul Cotter. The 23-year-old rookie has impressed during his brief showings with the Golden Knights this year, with nine goals, 16 points, 69 SOG, and his +6 plus/minus through 33 games played.
Cotter has been held without a point in five straight contests and will head to the press box Thursday vs. Seattle as he is replaced by Pavel Dorofeyev (undisclosed). The 24-year-old Cotter is in his third NHL season and has already passed career highs in games played (65), points (22) and PIMs (39) in 2023-24.
Murray was recalled to backup Jake Oettinger on Wednesday as Scott Wedgewood was away from the team for the birth of his child. The 26-year-old Murray played one game for Dallas earlier this season and recorded his first career shutout.
Pearson will draw back into the Canadiens' lineup after being a healthy scratch in their last outing. The two-time 20-goal scorer has 12 points (5G / 7A) in 48 games this season.
The Canadiens have lost three straight and will turn to Montembeault to tend the twine for the second straight game on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. Montembeault has failed to record a victory in five straight, including his most recent outing when he allowed three goals on 32 shots (.906 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The Canadiens enter action as sizeable +228 road underdogs.
