Giordano is listed as a game-time decision for the second straight game. Giordano didn't end up playing Tuesday but could be in the lineup tonight in Nashville. Giordano will return on the first pair and second power-play unit.
Cholowski is expected to replace Gustav Lindstrom, who is out with an undisclosed injury. Cholowski has picked up three goals and nine assists (12 points) in 27 games with the Griffins.
Hart allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Flyers win over the Sharks on Tuesday. Hart has won three in a row with a 1.67 GAA and .942 SV% and continues to play brilliantly on home ice. He is now 17-2-2 with a 1.65 GAA, .941 SV% and one shutout in 21 games at the Wells Fargo Center and is a must-start regardless of the matchup when he's in this building.
Niku has had terrible luck with injuries this season and will miss at least a couple of weeks with a lower-body issue. With Niku out, Nelson Nogier has been recalled from Manitoba (AHL).
Rittich allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Flames win in Boston on Tuesday. Rittich has turned in back-to-back wins, stopping 53 of the 57 shots (.930 SV%) that he's faced. He'll look to stay hot against a Nashville team that has won five of their last seven (5-1-1) games while scoring 2.86 goals per game. Rittich surrendered five goals on 36 shots in a 6-5 OT win in his first game vs. the Preds.
It's unclear whether or not Blais is dealing with an injury or not. He stayed on late during the morning skate, suggesting he won't play vs. the Islanders. If he doesn't play, Robert Bortuzzo will suit up as a seventh defenseman.
Seeler and Lucas Carlsson continue to rotate in and out of the lineup and tonight is Seeler's chance to sit. He played 13:56 TOI in St. Louis on Tuesday.
Carlsson and Nick Seeler have been alternating games, so Carlsson will draw back in for his second career NHL game. Carlsson skated 14:55 TOI in his NHL debut in Dallas on Sunday.
Saros allowed two goals on 35 shots in the Predators win over the Senators on Tuesday. Saros has won two straight while stopping 73 of 78 shots (.936 SV%) and will make his third consecutive start tonight vs. the Flames. Calgary has won the first two games of their road-trip and is 6-1-0 while averaging 4.86 goals per game in their last seven road games.
Crawford surrendered six goals on 37 shots in the Blackhawks loss in St. Louis on Tuesday. Crawford has been inconsistent in February, going 2-5-1 with a 2.73 GAA and .921 SV% in eight games. Tonight he faces a Lightning team that is surprisingly on a three-game losing streak and come in without Steven Stamkos, Pat Maroon and two top-4 defensemen.
Stalock allowed four goals on 28 shots in the Wild's win over the Blue Jackets on Tuesday. Stalock has won five of his last seven starts (5-1-1) while posting a strong 2.12 GAA, .919 SV% and one shutout. He has played great and is a must-start against a Red Wings team that is 1-7-0 while scoring just 1.63 goals per game in their last eight games.
Buchnevich travelled to Montreal with the team but will not play on Thursday. Buchnevich remains day-to-day and has not been ruled out for Friday's game in Philadelphia.
Lindstrom missed Wednesday's practice and will not play Thursday vs. the Wild. Lindstrom, who is day-to-day, will be replaced by Filip Hronek, who is returning from a head injury.
Fabbri was hurt in a knee-on-knee collision with Jack Hughes on Tuesday and will not play on Thursday. Fabbri was able to avoid serious injury, so consider him as day-to-day. Sam Gagner will make his Red Wings debut to replace Fabbri in the top-6.
Hornek has missed the last four games but will play tonight vs. the Wild. Hronek is expected to be paired with Madison Bowey and should re-claim his spot on the top power-play unit. Hronek has just three assists in his last 14 games.
Maroon was not on the ice for the morning skate and will not play tonight vs. the Blackhawks. Carter Verhaeghe will draw into the lineup to replace Maroon, who should be considered day-to-day.
Coleman is with his wife while they are expecting their first child and it's unclear whether or not he will play on Thursday. Monitor his status when the Lightning hit the ice for warmups at 6:30 pm ET. They will likely dress seven defensemen if Coleman can't play.
Halak was pulled after allowing three goals on eight shots in the Bruins loss in Vancouver on Saturday. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for Halak, who comes into Thursday's game at 7-2-0 with a 2.39 GAA and .918 SV% on home-ice. As for Dallas, they've won seven of their last nine (7-1-1) while averaging 3.00 goals per game.
Binnington allowed five goals on 30 shots in the Blues win over the Blackhawks on Tuesday. It wasn't his best performance but it was enough to extend his winning streak to four games. The 26-year-old is 19-4-5 with a 2.23 GAA, .919 SV% and three shutouts at the Enterprise Center this season. In his first start vs. the Islanders, Binnington allowed three goals on 32 shots in a 3-2 OT loss.
Bishop was pulled after allowing four goals on 13 shots in the Stars loss to the Blues last Friday. Anton Khudobin started the last two games but Bishop will start tonight in Boston. He is 8-4-2 with a 2.87 GAA, .910 SV% and one shutout on the road this year while the Bruins are 7-1-0 while scoring 3.75 goals per game in their last eight games.
