Dickinson will play in his first game since October 30th, and just his ninth game of the season on Sunday. The third-line centre will replace an unnamed forward in the lineup as the Blackhawks continue to roll with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
Nikishin was a healthy scratch in Winnipeg on Friday, but will draw back into the lineup on Sunday. The Hurricanes did not announce who Nikishin will replace in the leinup. He has picked up eight points (2G / 6A) and a plus-14 rating in 20 games this season.
Andersen allowed three goals on 19 shots in the Hurricanes shootout loss in Minnesota on Wednesday. Andersen has struggled in his last six outings, losing five of them (1-3-2) while posting an .866 SV%. This afternoon he'll face a Sabres team that is getting healthier, but the Hurricanes are large -183 road favourites.
Benson has missed the lsat 10 games with a lower-body injury, but will play Sunday vs. the Hurricanes. It's unclear where Benson will slot into the lineup, but he spent most of the season on the top line with Tage Thompson, so he could bump Josh Doan to the third line. Benson has yet to score this season but has picked up eight assists in eight games.
