For the second time in eight games to start the season, Smith will serve as a healthy scratch as a means of easing him into his first NHL season. The 2023 fourth-overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft has zero points and a -4 plus/minus through his first six games.
Englund will exit the Kings' lineup on Thursday after playing four straight games and will be replaced by Kyle Burroughs. The 28-year-old Englund has one point (1G / 0A), two blocks, and 13 hits in four games this season.
Andreas Englund will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Burroughs to return to the lineup after a three-game absence. The 29-year-old Burroughs has one point (0G / 1A), two blocks, and eight hits in four games this season.
Bortuzzo will serve as a healthy scratch on Thursday to welcome Maveric Lamoureux into the lineup for his NHL debut. The 35-year-old Bortuzzo has six penalty minutes and a -2 plus/minus while averaging 11:58 time-on-ice through three games this season.
Due to a decimated defensive core, namely Sean Durzi (shoulder) and John Marino (lower-back) being sidelined for the next several months, Utah HC recalled Lamoureux from the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL) to make his NHL debut. The 20-year-old Lamoureux was drafted 29th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, and is currently playing his first professional season, tallying three points (2G / 1A) in his first four games with Tuscon.
Bourque recorded his first career NHL point on Tuesday, an assist, but will serve as a healthy scratch on Thursday to allow Oskar Back to draw back into the lineup. The 22-year-old Bourque, last season's AHL point leader, had played the last four games for the Stars after missing the first three due to an injury.
Back was a healthy scratch for the first time this season on Tuesday, but will re-enter the lineup on Thursday against the Boston Bruins, replacing Mavrik Bourque. The 24-year-old Back has one point (0G / 1A) and is averaging 9:57 time-on-ice through six games, playing exclusively on the Stars' fourth line.
Klapka will be the odd-man out of the lineup on Thursday to allow Kevin Rooney (concussion) to make his return from a five-game absence. The 24-year-old Klapka has zero points, five shots, and 15 hits in four games this season.
Philipp Kurashev will draw back into the Blackhawks' lineup after being a healthy scratch on Tuesday, replacing Athanasiou. The 30-year-old Athanasiou has zero points in his first five games and is averaging only 9:36 time-on-ice, a steep drop from the 13:06 he averaged in 28 games with the club last season.
Despite placing second on the Blackhawks with 54 points (18G / 36A) last season, Kurashev was a healthy scratch on Tuesday. He will draw back into the lineup on Friday against the Nashville Predators and hope to improve on a disappointing start to the 2024-25 season, with one point (1G / 0A) and a -6 plus/minus in six games.
Alexey Toropchenko (lower body) will return to the lineup from a two-game absence, resulting in Bolduc being a healthy scratch. The 21-year-old Bolduc has two points (0G / 2A) in six games this season.
Parker Wotherspoon will draw into the Bruins' lineup for his second game of the season on Thursday, resulting in Lohrei being a healthy scratch. Lohrei had played the last five games for the Bruins, a byproduct of strong play, posting four points (1G / 3A) in that stretch.
Mason Lohrei will be a healthy scratch against the Dallas Stars on Thursday, allowing Wotherspoon to return to the lineup for the first time since October 10th. In his only game this season, Wotherspoon played 12:56 time-on-ice, recording one shot and one hit.
Wagner was recalled in place of Calum Ritchie, who was reassigned to Oshawa (OHL) on Wednesday. Wagner is yet to register a point in two NHL games this season.
Matthew Kessel will exit the Blues' lineup on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, allowing Perunovich to enter the lineup for his season debut. The 26-year-old Perunovich has an offensive pedigree that has made him a near-point-per-game defenseman at every level other than the NHL. In 54 games with the Blues last season, Perunovich had 17 points (0G / 17A).
Scott Perunovich will make his season debut on Thurday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, sending Kessel to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Kessel has seen limited time, averaging 11:58 time-on-ice through six games, while primarily playing on the Blues' third defensive pair.
Korczak was a surprise addition to the lineup, as Shea Theodore was announced as a late scratch due to illness. Korczak tallied one goal and eight assists in 26 games last season.
Luneau will be the odd-man out on Tuesday as Pavel Mintyukov (food poisoning) returns to the lineup. Luneau is yet to register a point in five games this season.
