Jones was a late addition to Thursday's lineup after Mika Zibanejad left warmups with an undisclosed injury. Jones will draw in as the Rangers will opt to dress seven defensemen in Zibanejad's absence.
After returning to the lineup in place of Noah Gregor (illness) for Tuesday's game against the Sharks, Robertson is back to being a healthy scratch on Thursday. The 22-year-old has six goals and six assists in 25 games this season.
Jokiharju appears to be the odd-man out on Thursday as Ryan Johnson will draw back into the Sabres lineup. Jokiharju has two goals and seven assists in 35 games this season.
Heineman has yet to pick up a point in any of the four games he's appeared in in 2023-24 but will be a healthy scratch Thursday vs. San Jose as Rafeal Harvey-Pinard returns from injury. The 22-year-old has averaged only 9:57 TOI in the games he has appeared in, picking up a +2 plus/minus while playing a complimentary role.
Oesterle was a healthy scratch on Tuesday but will re-enter the lineup on Thursday as Yan Kuznetsov will be a healthy scratch. Oesterle has two points (0G / 2A), 14 shots, and 19 hits while averaging 14:16 time-on-ice through 14 games this season.
Kuznetsov made his NHL debut on Tuesday but will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Jordan Oesterle to draw back into the lineup. In his debut, Kuznetsov recorded two shots on goal and a -1 plus/minus in 11:58 time-on-ice.
Trouba did not participate in practice on Tuesday or Wednesday as he was expecting the birth of his child but will play on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. The 29-year-old Trouba has been an effective producer for the Rangers lately, scoring three points (1G / 2A), registering 19 hits, and 18 shots in his last five games.
Robertson scored a goal while playing 14:54 time-on-ice in his return to action from a two-game absence on Tuesday but will be a healthy scratch for the Maple Leafs on Thursday. Robertson has three goals in his last four games while averaging less than 12 minutes per night.
McGinn has been held without a point in 13 straight games and will return to the lineup on Thursday after being a healthy scratch for the Ducks in their previous contest. The 2023-24 campaign has been disappointing for the 29-year-old McGinn, who is pacing for the worst offensively output of his nine-year career with only two points (1G / 1A) in 19 games.
After playing two straight games, Groulx was a healthy scratch in the last two for the Ducks but will re-enter the lineup on Thursday. The 23-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) while averaging 12:44 time-on-ice through 22 games this season.
Johnston has played 29 games for the Ducks this season, scoring two points (0G / 2A) while averaging only 7:28 time-on-ice. The Ducks are expected to welcome Brock McGinn and Bo Groulx back into the lineup on Thursday as Johnston will be a healthy scratch.
The 28-year-old Hagg has spent the entirety of this season with the San Diego Gulls of the AHL, scoring four points (1G / 3A) in 22 games. He will make his season debut with the Ducks on Thursday skating on the third defensive pair with Ilya Lyubushkin.
Juulsen stepped in on Tuesday for Ian Cole, who has a healthy scratch for maintenance reasons but will return to the lineup on Thursday. Juulsen played 14:43 time-on-ice, had a -1 plus/minus, and one hit.
Cole was replaced by Noah Juulsen on Tuesday as he was a healthy scratch for maintenance reasons. Cole had appeared in every game this season for Vancouver at the age of 34 and has a goal, six assists, 32 SOG and 36 PIMs in 40 games played.
Scott Sabourin will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Labanc to re-enter the Sharks' lineup. Labanc will appear in only his third game since the Christmas break and has been held without a point in four straight contests, recording a -5 plus/minus and six shots on goal.
Ty Emberson will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Vlasic to play for only the second time since the Christmas break. In his last contest, Vlasic played under 12 minutes, recorded a -1 plus/minus, and fired two shots on goal.
