Cole Schwindt will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, allowing Howden to draw back into the lineup. The 26-year-old Howden is averaging 14:54 time-on-ice and has 30 points (17G / 13A) in 62 games this season.
Barbashev was a surprise scratch on Tuesday, but he will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 29-year-old Barbashev is averaging 16:55 time-on-ice and has 41 points (19G / 22A) in 53 games this season. He has seven points (4G / 3A) in his last seven games.
Rondbjerg drew into Vegas' lineup for the first time in over a month in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he will return to the sidelines as a healthy scratch on Thursday. The 25-year-old forward is averaging 9:21 time-on-ice and has zero points in 12 games this season.
The Golden Knights have lost two straight (0-1-1) and will hope to return to the win column on Thursday with Hill tending the twine against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Hill struggled in his previous outing, allowing six goals on 29 shots (.829 SV%) in a 6-5 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. The 28-year-old Hill has a 2.60 GAA and .904 SV% in 38 games this season (23-11-4). The Golden Knights enter Thursday's contest as -181 road favorites against a Blue Jackets team with losses in three of their last four games (1-3-0).
Barbashev was a surprise scratch on Tuesday, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Cole Schwindt will draw into the lineup in his place.
Rondbjerg will slot in for Brett Howden, who was a late scratch due to an undisclosed injury. Rondbjerg is yet to register a point in 11 NHL games this season.
Howden was a surprise scratch on Tuesday, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Jonas Rondbjerg will draw into the lineup in his place.
The 24-year-old Lavoie is yet to register a point through 16 career NHL games, including nine this season. He is averaging 10:05 time-on-ice and has 10 shots and 16 hits.
Smith was held out of the Rangers lineup for their previous few games as they anticipated trading the impending UFA, a move that came to fruition on Thursday, sending him to his former club, the Golden Knights. The 33-year-old Smith averaged 15:36 time-on-ice and scored 29 points (10G / 19A) in 58 games with the Rangers this season.
The Golden Knights have won five of their last six (5-1-0) and will turn to Hill between the pipes on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Hill was excellent in his most recent outing, saving all 25 shots he faced in a 2-0 win over the New Jersey Devils for his third shutout of the season. The 28-year-old Hill has an outstanding 0.67 GAA and .973 SV% in his last three games (3-0-0). The Golden Knights enter Wednesday's contest as -163 home favorites against a Maple Leafs team coming off a disappointing 3-2 shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks.
With the March 7th trade deadline quickly approaching, Smith was held out of the lineup on Sunday and will be sidelined again on Monday for roster management purposed. The 33-year-old Smith is an impending UFA. He is averaging 15:36 time-on-ice and has 29 points (10G / 19A) in 58 games this season.
