Vincent Desharnais is expected to draw back into Vancouver lineup on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings if Juulsen is unable to go due to an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old Juulsen is averaging 16:34 time-on-ice and has zero points, a -11 plus/minus, 57 blocks, and 89 hits in 32 games this season.
Girard has not played the previous three games due to an undisclosed injury but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 26-year-old Girard is averaging 21:10 time-on-ice and has 18 points (2G / 16A) in 42 games this season. Sam Malinski will exit the lineup to accommodate Girard's return.
Hintz exited Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs due to an undisclosed injury early in the first period after only 2:27 time-on-ice. The Stars, already without top-six forwards Tyler Seguin and Mason Marchment, can ill-afford to lose Hintz's production for an extended period of time. The 28-year-old Hintz only has 27 points (19G / 8A) in 41 games this season but has been more productive lately, with 11 points (8G / 3A) in his last 14 games.
Lauko has not played since December 14th but is likely nearing his return to the lineup after being activated from LTIR. The 24-year-old Czech forward is averaging 10:00 time-on-ice and has four points (2G / 2A) in 24 games this season.
Neighbours is battling an upper-body injury and could miss his first game of the season. The 22-year-old forward is averaging 16:26 time-on-ice and has 21 points (11G / 10A) in 45 games this season. He scored 27 goals 77 games last season but only has one goal in his past 13 contests.
McCabe has not played since being injured in a fight with Philadelphia's Garnet Hathaway on January 5th. The 31-year-old McCabe has been a steadying force on Toronto's blue line and is averaging 20:52 time-on-ice, recording 11 points (1G / 10A), 68 blocks, and 72 hits in 36 games this season.
Tavares is producing at another near point-per-game pace with 42 points (20G / 22A) in 43 games this season. That said, the veteran forward has been held off the scoresheet in three straight. He will be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis.
Johansson exited Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers after 10:49 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 34-year-old Johansson has 16 points (5G / 11A) in 44 games this season.
Ekholm has been a staple on Edmonton's blue line this season, averaging 22:51 time-on-ice, and will thankfully be available on Wednesday night. The 34-year-old defenseman has 18 points (6G / 12A) and 62 blocks in 43 games this season.
Jacob Bryson will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Samuelsson to return from a multi-game absence due to an illness. The 24-year-old Samuelsson is averaging 18:21 time-on-ice and has five points (2G / 3A) in 26 games this season.
Laferriere played only 9:52 time-on-ice in the Kings' 1-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday and will not play on Thursday due to an upper-body injury. The 23-year-old forward is averaging 16:27 time-on-ice and has 26 points (13G / 13A) in 41 games this season.
Lyon has battled several injuries this season and has not played since exiting a game after the first period on January 7th. The 32-year-old Lyon has a 2.71 GAA and .902 SV% in 16 games this season (8-5-0). The Red Wings have a back-to-back on January 18th and 19th, which could be a potential target for Lyon's return.
Motte was limited to 7:15 time-on-ice before exiting Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks with an upper-body injury. The 29-year-old Motte has been in and out of the lineup this season but had played eight straight games. He has four points (2G / 2A) and 35 hits in 27 games this season.
Ekholm has been a staple on Edmonton's blue line this season, averaging 22:51 time-on-ice, his highest total in three seasons. The 34-year-old defenseman has 18 points (6G / 12A) and 62 blocks in 43 games this season.
Tavares is producing at another near point-per-game pace with 42 points (20G / 22A) in 43 games this season. That said, the veteran forward has been held off the scoresheet in three straight. An update on Tavares should be provided before the Maple Leafs return to action at home on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils.
McCabe has not played since being injured in a fight with Philadelphia's Garnet Hathaway on January 5th. The 31-year-old McCabe has been a steadying force on Toronto's blue line and is averaging 20:52 time-on-ice, recording 11 points (1G / 10A), 68 blocks, and 72 hits in 36 games this season.
Motte was limited to 7:15 time-on-ice before exiting Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks with an upper-body injury. The 29-year-old Motte has been in and out of the lineup this season but has played eight straight games. He has four points (2G / 2A) and 35 hits in 27 games this season.
Noesen did not play in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Florida Panthers and will likely not play on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old Noesen is far-and-away having his best offensive season, scoring 28 points (17G / 11A) in 45 games.
Kaprizov returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday but will remain out of the lineup against the Edmonton Oilers, missing a 10th straight game. He is still considered day-to-day, but updates have been few and far between regarding his status. Before his injury, the 27-year-old Kaprizov was having an excellent campaign among the league leaders, scoring 50 points (23G / 27A) in 34 games.
