Leonard has appeared in all seven games this season but will be scratched Thursday in Colorado. The rookie had two assists in the season opener but has been held pointless in the last six games. Stefan Noesen will replace him in the lineup.
Noesen has been a healthy scratch for the last two games but will replace John Leonard in the lineup on Thursday. Noesen has no points and two shots on goal in three games this season.
Bowey spent the 2020 season with the Red Wings, where he had three goals and 14 assists (17 points) in 53 games. The 2013 second-round pick has picked up 39 points (5G / 34A) in 154 career NHL games with the Capitals and the Red Wings.
Dube has missed the last two games but will be a game-time decision on Thursday. Dube would likely replace Dominik Simon or Joakim Nordstrom in the lineup if he plays.
Vasilevskiy gave up four goals on 27 shots in the Lightning's loss in Columbus last Saturday. The Lightning have been off ever since, so Vasilevskiy will be well-rested vs. a Hurricanes team that hasn't played since January 18th. Through four starts, Vasilevskiy has a sparkling .920 SV% to go along with a 2.24 GAA, so he should be active whenever he gets the nod.
Benn was on the ice for the Stars optional morning skate but will miss his third straight game due to a lower-body injury. His availability this morning suggests he could be ready for their weekend back-to-back in Carolina.
Hintz was a bit of a surprise scratch on Tuesday but was on the ice for Thursday's optional morning skate and will be a game-time decision vs. the Red Wings. Expect Hintz to reclaim his spot on the top line if he's able to go.
Jacob Markstrom started the first five games of the season, so Thursday will be Rittich's season debut. The 28-year-old has won 20-plus games in back-to-back seasons, going 24-17-6 with a 2.97 GAA, .907 SV% and two shutouts in 48 games last season. Tonight he faces a Canadiens team that has yet to lose in regulation and lead the NHL in scoring through six games (4.83 GF/gm).
Rask was held off of the ice at Wednesday's practice and will not backup Jaroslav Halak on Thursday. Rask is scheduled to start Saturday and the Bruins expect him to be ready.
Kahkonen allowed two goals on 21 shots in the Wild's loss to the Kings on Tuesday. Kahkonen wasn't very busy but Cal Petersen was terrific at the other end, handing Kahkonen his second straight loss. With Cam Talbot still sidelined, Kahkonen will make his fifth consecutive start on Thursday and enters play at 2-2-0 with a 2.22 GAA and .918 SV%.
Oettinger will make his first career NHL start on Thursday. With Ben Bishop out long-term, Oettinger will get a few starts behind Anton Khudobin this season. The 22-year-old netminder was 15-16-4 with a 2.57 GAA and .917 SV% in the AHL last season. The former first-round pick has a strong pedigree and makes for a solid spot-start option against an injury riddled and bad Red Wings team.
This was a necessary move if Markus Nutivaara is to make his season debut, so Tippett goes to the taxi squad and either Juho Lammikko or Ryan Lomberg will replace him upfront.
Oettinger will make his first career NHL start on Thursday. With Ben Bishop out long-term, Oettinger will get a few starts behind Anton Khudobin this season. The 22-year-old netminder was 15-16-4 with a 2.57 GAA and .917 SV% in the AHL last season. The former first-round pick has a strong pedigree and makes for a solid spot-start option against an injury riddled and bad Red Wings team.
Wilson will be a game-time decision for the second straight game but participated in the morning skate, which is a good sign for his availability tonight. Wilson will skate with Nicklas Backstrom and Jakub Vrana if he plays.
Vanecek allowed just two goals on 34 shots in the Capitals' win over the Islanders on Tuesday. It was another solid showing from the young netminder, who is now 3-0-2 with a 2.70 GAA and .918 SV% on the season. With a shorthanded group in front of him, goal support may be difficult to come by but the Islanders have had their own offensive struggles, scoring just 1.83 goals per game (30th).
Howard was a second-round pick in 2003 and played 14 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, going 246-196-70 with a 2.62 GAA and .912 SV% in his career.
Merzlikins allowed two goals on 32 shots in the Blue Jackets' win over the Lightning last Saturday. With Joonas Korpisalo on the losing end of Tuesday's game, Merzlikins will start Thursday's rematch vs. the Panthers. Through three starts, the 26-year-old netminder is 1-1-1 with a 3.34 GAA and .891 SV%.
Eller left Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury and will miss Thursday's game vs. the Islanders. With Eller out, T.J. Oshie is expected to shift to centre for the game and Michael Sgarbossa is expected to see some PP2 time.
