Kuraly has missed the last two games but will replace Marcus Johansson in the lineup on Thursday. Kuraly, who will skate on the fourth line, has six goals and 11 assists (17 points) in 63 games this season.
Johansson underwent evaluation at Massachusetts General Hospital after leaving Tuesday’s game vs. the Hurricanes and was diagnosed with a lung contusion. Johansson will be re-evaluated in one week. Peter Cehlarik will move onto the second line on Thursday with Johansson sidelined.
Kane has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury and remains questionable to play Thursday despite skating on Wednesday. Kane did skate with Tomas Hertl and Gustav Nyqust in practice, which suggests there’s a chance that he plays vs. the Canadiens.
Karlsson has missed three of the last four games with a groin issue and will miss at least the rest of the Sharks homestand. Tim Heed will remain on the blueline with Karlsson sidelined.
Gibson allowed one goal on 26 shots in the Ducks win over the Avalanche on Sunday. Gibson has played solidly since returning from injury, stopping 56 of he 59 shots (.949 SV%) that he has faced in two games. He draws a tough assignment on Wednesday with St. Louis in town—the Blues are 13-3-1 in their last 17 games.
Zadorov will not travel to Dallas for Thursday’s game after suffering an upper-body injury on Tuesday. Ryan Graves will replace him on the Colorado blueline.
Del Zotto has been a healthy scratch for the first three games since being acquired at the trade deadline but will replace Robert Bortuzzo on Wednesday. The 28-year-old has one goal and six assists (seven points) in 35 minutes with the Ducks and Canucks this season.
Rittich surrendered six goals on 32 shots in the Flames loss to the Maple Leafs on Monday. It was a rough outing for Rittich, who has gone 2-2-1 with an ugly 3.59 GAA and .857 SV% in his last six starts. Tonight he faces a Golden Knights team that has not lost (4-0-0) while averaging 4.00 goals per game since adding Mark Stone at the deadline.
Binnington allowed three goals on 20 shots in the Blues loss to the Stars on Saturday. It was a rare bad game for Binnington, who leads the NHL in GAA (1.68) and SV% (.933) through 19 starts and two relief appearances. Being one of the NHL’s hottest goaltenders and having a matchup with a Ducks team that has just seven wins in their last 32 games, makes Binnington one of the best options on Wednesday.
Andersen allowed two goals on 37 shots in the Maple Leafs win in Calgary on Monday. Andersen is riding a five-game winning streak, posting a 2.40 GAA and .933 SV% and draws a quality matchup tonight in Vancouver. The Canucks come into Wednesday’s game having won just three times since February 4th—3-8-3 while averaging just 1.86 goals for per game.
Fleury stopped all 19 shots that he faced in the Golden Knights shutout win over the Canucks on Sunday. Fleury has posted back-to-back shutouts and has won three in a row while stopping 76 of the last 77 shots (.987 SV%) that he has faced. Tonight he faces the Flames for the second time this season—he stopped all 29 shots that he faced in a 2-0 shutout win in their first meeting (Nov.23).
Andersen allowed two goals on 37 shots in the Maple Leafs win in Calgary on Monday. Andersen is riding a five-game winning streak, posting a 2.40 GAA and .933 SV% and draws a quality matchup tonight in Vancouver. The Canucks come into Wednesday’s game having won just three times since February 4th—3-8-3 while averaging just 1.86 goals for per game.
Gauthier is a big-bodied, quality fourth-liner but brings very little offence to the table. Nic Petan is smaller but can play a strong two-way game with more offensive upside, so Petan will replace Gauthier on Wednesday.
