Johnson will play his first game with Minnesota after signing with the team in the off-season. He scored two goals and added three assists in 42 games with the Blackhawks last season, and has totaled nine points in 18 AHL games this season.

With Mark Stone returning from a lower-body injury, Schwindt will be a healthy scratch to accommodate his return. The 23-year-old Schwindt is averaging 9:55 time-on-ice and has six points (0G / 6A) in 24 games this season.

Dennis Cholowski will draw back into the Islanders' lineup on Saturday, resulting in Hutton being a healthy scratch. The 29-year-old Hutton is averaging 13:35 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in 11 games this season.

Grant Hutton will be a healthy scratch on Saturday, allowing Cholowski to re-enter the lineup. The 26-year-old Cholowski has played well when called upon this season, averaging 12:11 time-on-ice, recording six points (2G / 4A), and a +5 plus/minus.

Cody Glass (concussion) will return to the lineup on Friday, resulting in Nieto being a healthy scratch. The 32-year-old Nieto is averaging 11:59 time-on-ice and has zero points through nine games this season.

Jack Thompson will draw into the Sharks' lineup on Thursday, resulting in Thrun being a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Thrun is averaging 16:16 time-on-ice and has eight points (0G / 8A) in 25 games.

Henry Thrun will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Thompson to return to the lineup. The 22-year-old Thompson has played a career-high 13 games, and has five points (2G / 3A) while averaging 15:5 time-on-ice.

James van Riemsdyk will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Pyyhtia to re-enter the lineup for the first time since November 16th. The 22-year-old Pyyhtia is averaging 13:57 time-on-ice and has one point (1G / 0A) in 17 games.

Mikael Pyyhtia will draw back into the Blue Jackets lineup on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers, resulting in van Riemsdyk being a healthy scratch. The 35-year-old van Riemsdyk is averaging 10:50 time-on-ice and has five points (3G / 2A) in 18 games.

Albert Johansson will return the Red Wings lineup on Thursday, resulting in Gustafsson being a healthy scratch. The 32-year-old Gustafsson is averaging 16:46 time-on-ice, recording four points (0G / 4A), 15 blocks, and seven hits through 18 games this season.

Erik Gustafsson will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Johansson to re-enter the lineup. The 23-year-old Johansson is in his first NHL season and has one point (0G / 1A) while averaging 13:23 time-on-ice through 13 games.

Veleno will be a healthy scratch against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, indication that Patrick Kane may be ready to return to the lineup after a five-game absence. The 24-year-old Veleno is averaging a career-low 11:11 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A) through 22 games this season.

Pierre Engvall will draw back into the lineup for the Islanders on Thursday, resulting in Martin being a healthy scratch. The 35-year-old Martin is averaging 8:06 time-on-ice, recording one point (0G / 1A), five penalty minutes, and 42 hits in 15 games.