DeBrusk has missed the last nine games with a concussion but will return Thursday vs. the Devils. DeBrusk, who has 10 goals and two assists in 28 games this season, will skate on the second line with David Krejci and Danton Heinen.
Chara has been sidelined with a knee injury since November 14th but will be back in the Bruins lineup following the Christmas break. Chara has three goals and one assist in 18 games this season.
McAvoy is hurting after blocking a shot in Carolina on Sunday, so he’ll come out of the lineup on Thursday. Luckily for the Bruins, they will get both Zdeno Chara and Kevan Miller back on the blueline to replace McAvoy.
Howard allowed two goals on 23 shots in the Red Wings loss to the Panthers last Saturday. The 34-year-old has gone 2-2-1 with a 2.53 GAA and .923 SV% in December as he continues his resurgent season despite playing behind a below-average Red Wings squad. However, he draws a tough assignment tonight in Pittsburgh, so consider leaving him on your bench.
Allen made 28 saves on 29 shots in the Blues win in Calgary last Saturday. Allen has been inconsistent lately but has put a solid couple of games together. Tonight he will go head-to-head with his former backup on home-ice, where he is 6-5-2 with a 3.93 GAA and .879 SV% in 15 games this season.
Rinne allowed four goals on 31 shots in the Predators loss in Boston last Saturday. Rinne has lost four straight games (0-3-1) with a 2.54 GAA and .918 SV%. Rinne will look to snap his losing skid against the Stars. He comes in at 11-3-0 with a 1.86 GAA, .928 SV% and two shutouts on home-ice this season.
Korpisalo gave up three goals on 25 shots in the Blue Jackets loss to the Canucks on December 11th. Korpisalo has not recorded a win since November 15th but will get a second crack at the Rangers tonight. The 24-year-old allowed four goals on 19 shots in a 5-4 shootout loss to New York back in November.
Halak allowed two goals on 30 shots in the Bruins win over the Predators last Saturday. Halak has won three in a row while stopping 74 of the 77 (.961 SV%) shots that he has faced. Tonight he faces a Devils team without Taylor Hall—Halak is 8-0-0 with a 1.74 GAA, .945 SV% and one shutout on home-ice this season.
Moore recorded an assist in his NHL debut before the Christmas break and returns to the Maple Leafs with Tyler Ennis out. Moore has 17 goals and seven assists (24 points) in 27 games with the Marlies.
Pirri played in the final three games before the Christmas break, scoring three goals on nine shots with one assist. The 27-year-old has been outstanding this season, picking up 41 points (17G / 24A) in 28 AHL games. Pirri will likely continue skating in the top-6 while Max Pacioretty is out.
Murray stopped all 39 shots that he faced in the Penguins shutout win in Carolina last Saturday. Murray has been brilliant since returning from injury, winning three straight games while stopping 108 of the 112 shots (.964 SV%) that he has faced. Murray has a good chance to make it four in a row against a Red Wings team without two top-6 forwards and their top defenseman.
Anderson suffered a concussion in New Jersey on December 21st and will miss at least the next two games after the Christmas break. With Anderson out, Mike McKenna will serve as the Senators No.1 netminder moving forward.
Vasilevskiy surrendered three goals on 28 shots in the Lightning’s win in Edmonton last Saturday. Since returning from a fractured foot, Vasilevskiy has gone 3-0-1 with a 2.70 GAA and .930 SV%. The 24-year-old has been outstanding this season, especially at home, where he has gone 7-3-0 with a 2.30 GAA and .932 SV%.
Mrazek allowed three goals on 30 shots in the Hurricanes win over the Bruins last Sunday. Mrazek only started one game in November but has already played in seven games this month, going 3-4-0 with a 2.47 GAA, .914 SV% and one shutout. The 26-year-old comes into Thursday’s game at 2-4-1 with a 2.47 GAA and .910 SV% on the road this year.
How Dumba suffered the injury remains a mystery but the Wild are holding out hope that Dumba will be able to return later this season and be ready for the playoffs. Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin have taken on larger roles with Dumba sidelined.
Holtby allowed one goal on 37 shots in the Capitals win over the Sabres last Friday. Holtby has won four of his last five starts with a 1.98 GAA, .937 SV% and one shutout. One of those wins came against the Hurricanes, who he’ll face again tonight—he allowed five goals on 27 shots in a 6-5 shootout win in Carolina on December 14th.
With Craig Anderson still sidelined, Hogberg returns as the Senators’ No.2 netminder. Hogberg has gone 3-3-0 with a 2.32 GAA and .916 SV% with Belleville this season.
Blackwood stopped all nine shots that he faced after replacing Keith Kinkaid in the Devils loss to the Blue Jackets on Sunday. Since coming up from the AHL, Blackwood has stopped 53 of the 57 shots (.930 SV%) that he has faced. He’ll be in tough in his first start after the break, facing a Bruins team that is 13-4-0 on home-ice this season.
