Johansson only played 10:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning and is battling an upper-body injury that will keep him out of the lineup. The 35-year-old Swedish forward has 39 points (13G / 26A) in 57 games this season, but has been held off the scoresheet in 13 of his last 19 games.
Martin Pospisil will draw back into Calgary's lineup on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators, sending Beecher to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Beecher is averaging 10:03 time-on-ice and has four points (1G / 3A) in 29 games this season.
Pospisil has not played since February 28th, but he will re-enter the lineup on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators, drawing in for John Beecher. The 26-year-old Pospisil is averaging 10:17 time-on-ice and remains in search of his first point through nine games.
Cooley was serviceable in relief of Dustin Wolf on Tuesday, saving 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%), but the game was already out of hand when he entered the crease in an eventual 6-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. The 28-year-old Cooley has a terrific 2.20 GAA and .930 SV% in his last nine appearances (4-2-2). That said, the Flames enter the action on Thursday as +152 home underdogs against an Ottawa Senators team that has points in eight of their last nine games (6-1-2).
Carlson suffered a lower-body injury in Washington's final game before the Olympic break on February 6th. He has missed four straight games, but returned to practice on Thursday and could be an option on Saturday against the Boston Bruins. The 36-year-old Carlson has seen significantly less powerplay deployment this season, taking a backseat to Jakob Chychrun, but has remained productive, with an impressive 46 points (10G / 36A) through 55 games.
Vancouver held Myers out of the lineup for several games as they anticipated trading the veteran blueliner, which came to fruition on Wednesday in a deal sending him to the Dallas Stars. The Texas-born defenseman averaged 20:13 time-on-ice, recording eight points (1G / 7A), 65 hits, and 91 blocks in 57 games with the Canucks this season. Stars' Head Coach Glen Gulutzan suggested that if Myers is unable to play on Friday, he will certainly draw in on Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Aspirot has become an integral part of Boston's blueline, playing alongside Charlie McAvoy in recent weeks, but he will be sidelined on Thursday due to illness. The 26-year-old rookie defenseman is averaging 16:41 time-on-ice and has eight points (2G / 6A) in 40 games this season. Jordan Harris will enter the lineup as Aspirot's replacement.
With Jonathan Aspirot battling an illness, Harris will re-enter Boston's lineup on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. The 25-year-old Harris has not played a game for Boston since late October. He has two points (1G / 1A) in five games this season.
Korpisalo was excellent in his only outing since the Olympic break, saving 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, and will look to continue his impressive play on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. The 31-year-old Finnish goalie has a fantastic 2.31 GAA and .921 SV% in his last nine appearances (5-1-2). The Bruins enter the action on Thursday as slight -103 road underdogs against a Predators team that is desperate to snap a three-game losing streak (0-2-1).
Edstrom has not played a game for the Rangers since November 29th, but should return to the lineup on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 25-year-old Swedish forward is averaging 9:34 time-on-ice and has four points (2G / 2A) in 24 games this season.
Sergachev scored a goal in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals, but played a season-low 18:33 time-on-ice and is uncertain for Thursday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 27-year-old Sergachev is having a terrific season with Utah, scoring 42 points (10G / 32A) in 61 games.
Hintz helped Finland capture a Bronze Medal at the Olympics, but has not played yet since the conclusion of the Olympic break, missing four consecutive games. He returned to practice for the first time on Thursday, but his status for Friday's game against the Colorado Avalanche remains uncertain. The 29-year-old Hintz has 44 points (15G / 29A) in 52 games this season and has seen his goal scoring decrease. Hintz has averaged 33 goals per 82 games over the past four seasons but is on pace for only 24 this season.
Sergei Bobrovsky's name has begun circulating in trade rumours as the trade deadline approaches, which, along with his inconsistent play between the pipes, has given Tarasov a start on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 26-year-old Tarasov was excellent in his only outing since resuming from the Olympic break, saving 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%), but did not receive enough goal support, falling 3-2 to the Buffalo Sabres. The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as slight -102 road underdogs against a Blue Jackets team that is 9-1-1 in their last 11 games.
Gibson exited Monday's 4-2 win over the Nashville Predators in the first intermission due to an upper-body injury and did not suit up for Wednesday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights. It's uncertain if Gibson will be ready for Friday's game against the Florida Panthers, but his presence at practice on Thursday is an encouraging sign. The 32-year-old Gibson has only lost six of his last 25 games (19-5-1), posting an impressive 2.06 GAA and .925 SV%, leading the Red Wings to a playoff spot over the past two months.
Roy has become a valuable bottom-six center in the NHL and will bring that presence to Colorado as they set their sights on a deep playoff run. The 29-year-old Roy averaged 14:45 time-on-ice, recording 20 points (5G / 15A), 32 blocks, and 61 hits in 59 games this season with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Larkin was the victim of a vicious cross-check late in the third period of Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights and had difficulty regaining composure and exiting the ice, but seemingly avoided major repercussions after returning to the ice in overtime. That said, the 29-year-old Larkin was absent from practice on Thursday, and his status is unclear heading into Friday's game against the Florida Panthers.
Vanecek has not played in over a month and will make his post-Olympic break return to the crease on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 30-year-old Czech goalie only has one win in his last 11 outings (1-8-2), posting a subpar 3.19 GAA and .876 SV%. He has allowed three or more goals in four of his last five games (1-3-1). The Mammoth enter Thursday's contest as -120 road favourites against a Flyers team on a three-game winning streak.
Sergei Bobrovsky's name has begun circulating around trade rumours as the trade deadline approaches, which, along with his inconsistent play between the pipes, has opportuned Tarasov with a start on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 26-year-old Tarasov was excellent in his only outing since resuming from the Olympic break, saving 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%), but did not receive enough goal support, falling 3-2 to the Buffalo Sabres. The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as slight -102 road underdogs against a Blue Jackets team that is 9-1-1 in their last 11 games.
