After playing in four straight games, Hunt was a healthy scratch in the last two contests for Minnesota and has been reassigned to the Iowa Wild of the AHL. In nine games with Minnesota this season, Hunt is averaging 10:07 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A).
Harris has not played since November 18th, missing 15 straight games, and is eligible and expected to return to the lineup on Thursday after being activated from IR. The 23-year Harris was averaging 18:45 time-on-ice and had three points (0G / 3A) through 16 games this season.
Werenski suffered an apparent knee injury in the second period of Wednesday's game against the Devils and did not return. He appeared to be unable to put any weight on his leg as he exited the ice. Werenski has one goals and 24 assists in 33 games this season. We should get an update on the injury and a possible timetable for his return in the coming days.
Merzlikins will take the crease for the second time in three games as he takes on New Jersey Wednesday fresh off a win over Washington in his previous start (32 saves - .906 SV%). The 29-year-old has bounced back nicely after a pair of rough seasons with his 7-8-5 record, 3.17 GAA and .909 SV%. He will head to New Jersey Wednesday to take on the Devils, who snapped a three-game losing streak with a win last game and are eight in the NHL in goals per game (3.41).
Fabbro has been scratched for four of the last five games for the Predators but will return to the lineup on Wednesday in favour of Tyson Barrie. In 25 games this season, Fabbro has skated predominantly alongside Roman Josi and has seven points (2G / 5A), 19 hits, and 40 blocks.
Olivier has not played since December 16th but will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils as Sean Kuraly (abdominal) will be unavailable. The 26-year-old winger has five points (1G / 4A) in 18 games and is expected to play on the fourth line with Brendan Gaunce and Alexandre Texier.
Kuraly had to be helped off the ice on Saturday and was taken to hospital, where he was discharged after testing. There has not been a definitive update on Kuraly yet, but he will not play on Wednesday and is considered day-to-day.
Kuraly had to be helped off of the ice and was taken to hospital, where he was discharged after testing. Because of the Christmas break, there has yet to be an update on Kuraly's status, but consider him doubtful to play Wednesday.
Severson hasn't played since November 19th, missing just over a month due to the oblique injury. He had three goals and five assists in 19 games prior to the injury. Severson is expected to play alongside Ivan Provorov on the Blue Jackets' second defensive pairing when he returns to the lineup on Saturday.
Hunt skated in four straight games but played just 4:28 TOI as the No.7 defenseman on Thursday. He'll be replaced by Jake Lucchini, who will be making his Wild debut up front.
Hunt will sit in favour of Dakota Mermis on Thursday after playing in each of the Wild's last three games. Hunt has no goals and one assist in eight games this season.
Fabbro will play for the first time since December 12th on Thursday as the Predators are opting to dress seven defensemen. He has two goals and five assists in 24 games this season.
After not playing the last two games for the Blue Jackets, Merzlikins will return to the crease on Thursday. Merzlikins has only played three games in December but has collected a point in each, posting a 2-0-1 record and .915 SV%. The Blue Jackets are coming off a commanding 9-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday but are slight -101 home underdogs against a Washington Capitals team that has won two straight but played last night, a 3-2 overtime win over the New York Islanders.
Severson has missed 14 games with an oblique injury suffered on November 19th and, after being a full participant at practice on Wednesday, could return to the lineup imminently. Head Coach Pascal Vincent used "before Christmas" as a target for Severson's return, suggesting he will play either on Thursday against the Washington Capitals or Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Before his injury, Severson had three points (2G / 1A) in his last two games and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 19 games this season.
Tarasov made an unceremonious season debut on Saturday, allowing five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils, but will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres. After missing the first two months of the season due to a knee injury, Tarasov posted a 2.57 GAA and .915 SV% during a four-game stint with the Cleveland Monster of the AHL earlier this month. The Blue Jackets are sizeable +162 road underdogs against a Sabres team that is 3-6-1 in their last 10 games and was shut out 2-0 by the Arizona Coyotes in their last contest.
