Fasching played the previous game for the Islanders but suffered an upper-body injury at some point that will keep him out of the lineup for approximately two weeks. The 29-year-old Fasching is averaging 8:56 time-on-ice and has yet to score a point through 19 games this season.
Smith returned from a multi-game absence due to an injury two weeks ago and will return to the sidelines due to a back tweak. The 35-year-old forward is averaging 11:41 time-on-ice and has 11 points (6G / 5A) in 30 games this season.
Chytil exited Tuesday's loss to the Dallas Stars in the second period due to an upper-body injury, which does not appear overly severe given his presence at practice on Thursday. The 25-year-old Chytil is averaging 14:02 time-on-ice and has 17 points (10G / 7A) in 33 games this season.
Evangelista suffered a lower-body injury in the first period of Tuesday's loss to the Winnipeg Jets and will be out of the lineup for approximately four weeks. The 22-year-old Evangelisa is averaging 12:51 time-on-ice an has 14 points (4G / 10A) in 39 games this season.
Wilsby has not played since December 30th due to a lower-body injury, missing four consecutive games, and remains week-to-week. The 24-year-old Wilsby has played well in his first NHL season, averaging 18:43 time-on-ice and scoring three points (1G / 2A) in 15 games.
Dylan Coghlan will be a healthy scratch on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings, allowing Samberg to return from a lower-body injury. The 25-year-old Samberg has not played since November 23rd. He was averaging 20:17 time-on-ice and had six points (3G / 3A) in 21 games before his injury.
Edmundson did not play the previous game for Los Angeles but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. The 31-year-ol defenseman is averaging 20:39 time-on-ice, recording 10 points (4G / 6A), 57 blocks, and 60 hits in 36 games this season.
Lyubushkin was limited to only 6:39 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the New York Rangers but will return to the ice on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 30-year-old Lyubushkin is averaging 16:56 time-on-ice, recording eight points (0G / 8A), 61 blocks, and 46 hits in 39 games this season.
Lyon appeared to suffer an upper-body injury at some point during the first period of Tuesday's game and was unable to join his teammates for the start of the second. He could return to practice as soon as Friday.
Laine appears to be nearing a return to the lineup but will miss a fourth straight contest on Friday. The 26-year-old Laine has been impressive in his limited time with the Canadiens, scoring 10 points (8G / 2A) in 13 games despite averaging a career-low 14:51 time-on-ice.
Fleury is battling an illness and might not be able to serve as Filip Gustavsson's backup on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche. If Fluery is not able to suit up, expect Minnesota to recall Jesper Wallstedt from Iowa (AHL) to serve as Gustavsson's backup.
Brodin played a monstrous 33:02 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the St. Louis Blues but will not play on Thursday due to a lower-body injury. The 31-year-old Brodin is averaging 23:13 time-on-ice and has 16 points (4G / 12A) in 31 games this season. He has five points (1G / 4A) in his last four games.
Faber suffered an upper-body injury midway through the first period of Tuesday's game and was unable to return. The 22-year-old Faber is averaging 24:58 time-on-ice and has 20 points (5G / 15A) in 41 games this season. Minnesota's next game will be on Saturday against the San Jose Sharks.
Morrissey scored a goal in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators but was limited to only 12:24 time-on-ice, exiting the contest with a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old Morrissey is amid another productive season with the Jets, scoring 38 points (5G / 33A) in 42 games.
Sillinger is averaging 17:30 time-on-ice, recording 22 points (6G / 16A) through 40 games this season. If he is not able to play on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken, recently recalled Owen Sillinger will like draw into the lineup as his replacement.
Johnson has been a regular in the Blue Jackets lineup lately but will not play on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken due to an illness. The 37-year-old Johnson is averaging 12:56 time-on-ice, recording two points (0G / 2A) in 27 games this season.
Malkin did not play the Penguins previous game, a late scratch due to an upper-body injury, but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. Malkin is averaging 18:35 time-on-ice, recording 71 shots and 32 points (8G / 24A) in 41 games this season.
It's unclear when Monahan suffered his wrist injury in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he did not appear in the third period, finishing the game with only 12:26 time-on-ice. The team is waiting for results from a bone scan to have a more concrete timeline for his return. Monahan, in his age-30 season, was producing at a point-per-game pace for only the second time in his career, with 41 points (14G / 27A) in 41 games.
Ekblad exited Friday's 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins late in the third period and has not practiced since, but will return to the lineup on Wedndesday. The 28-year-old Ekblad is averaging 23:31 time-on-ice, his highest total in four seasons, recording 20 points (2G / 18A), 54 blocks, and 59 hits in 40 games this season.
Mikkola has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury on December 23rd, missing five straight games, but will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 28-year-old Mikkola has 14 points (4G / 10A) in 36 games this season.
