Kuraly will make his first appearance since exiting December 23rd's game against the Maple Leafs with an abdominal injury. He has six goals and five assists in 35 games this season.
Tarasov will start for the fourth straight game on Saturday in the Blue Jackets' return to the ice in their first game since Tuesday. Tarasov has been underwhelming for the Blue Jackets this season, allowing four or more goals in five of his seven appearances (2-3-2), posting an ugly .883 SV%. The Blue Jackets have lost two straight (0-1-1) and will be hard-pressed to get back into the win column against a Seattle Kraken squad riding an eight-game winning streak.
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.
Hunt will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Alex Goligoski to draw back into the lineup. Hunt played 16:41 time-on-ice on Monday, his first game in nearly three weeks, and recorded a -1 plus/minus along with one shot and two hits.
van Riemsdyk will play on Tuesday after sitting out the last two gamse with an undisclosed injury. He has seven goals and 18 assists in 35 games this season.
Labanc will sit in favour of Scott Sabourin, who will make his Sharks' debut on Tuesday. Labanc has one goal and five assists in 28 games this season.
Tarasov will start for the third straight game for the Blue Jackets and look to rebound with a victory after a disappointing 4-3 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. The 24-year-old Tarasov has been very strong for the Blue Jackets over his last three appearances, collecting a point in each contest (1-0-2) and boasting a .925 SV%. That said, Tarasov and the Blue Jackets have an unfavourable matchup against one of the league's hottest teams, the Winnipeg Jets, who have won six straight games.
Tarasov will start for the third straight game for the Blue Jackets and look to rebound with a victory after a disappointing 4-3 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. The 24-year-old Tarasov has been very strong for the Blue Jackets over his last three appearances, collecting a point in each contest (1-0-2) and boasting a .925 SV%. That said, Tarasov and the Blue Jackets have an unfavourable matchup against one of the league's hottest teams, the Winnipeg Jets, who have won six straight games.
Alex Goligoski will be a healthy scratch for Minnesota on Monday, allowing Hunt to play his first game since December 21st. In nine games this season, Hunt has one point (0G / 1A) and 15 blocks while averaging 10:07 time-on-ice.
Christiansen was recalled last week and played his first three games for the Blue Jackets this season, recording one point (0G / 1A) while averaging 15:56 time-on-ice. He has been reassigned to the Cleveland Monsters, where he has 22 points (5G / 17A) in 28 games.
Provorov was a game-time decision due to an illness on Thursday. Provorov is pacing for the best offensive season of his career, scoring 21 points (2G / 19A) through 39 games.
Chinakhov was a game-time decision on Thursday due to an illness. Chinakhov has 17 points (10G / 7A) in 27 games this season, playing predominantly alongside Dmitri Voronkov and Kirill Marchenko.
Olivier will re-enter the Blue Jacket's lineup on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers in favour of Brendan Gaunce, who will serve the game as a healthy scratch. Olivier last played on December 27th, registering two shots and two hits in 9:51 time-on-ice.
Provorov joins Yegor Chinakhov as players on the Blue Jackets who will be game-time decisions due to an illness on Thursday. Provorov is pacing for the best offensive season of his career, scoring 21 points (2G / 19A) through 39 games.
