Brown will take the place of Travis Dermott (illness). Brown has played in two games this season for the Coyotes, registering no points, one shot on goal, four blocked shots, and five hits.
Dermott will be forced to sit on Friday for the first time this season. The 27-year-old blue-liner is still searching for his first point as a Coyote. He's registered six shots on goal, eight blocked shots, and four hits across his opening six games. The Coyotes have classified Dermott as day-to-day.
Skinner will be the starting goalie for the Oilers on Thursday after serving as the backup for three of their last four contests. The Oilers, who will once again be without Connor McDavid (upper-body), will be desperate to get their season on track as they are off to a disappointing 1-4-1 start. Last year's best offensive team (3.96 GF/GP) is averaging only 2.83 goals per game and is being outscored by an alarm 17-27 total. The Oilers will be challenged by the New York Rangers (-126 road favourites) and will hope that sophomore Stuart Skinner can recapture some of the magic he had last season as a Calder Trophy finalist.
It appears Skinner will be the starting goalie for the Oilers on Thursday after serving as the backup for three of their last four contests. The Oilers, who will once again be without Connor McDavid (upper-body), will be desperate to get their season on track as they are off to a disappointing 1-4-1 start. Last year's best offensive team (3.96 GF/GP) is averaging only 2.83 goals per game and is being outscored by an alarm 17-27 total. The Oilers will be challenged by the New York Rangers (-126 road favourites) and will hope that sophomore Stuart Skinner can recapture some of the magic he had last season as a Calder Trophy finalist.
McDavid left Saturday's game after picking up an upper-body injury in the third period. The Oilers announced that he's expected to miss at least one week, so expect him to miss the next three games, including the Heritage Classic next Sunday.
Savoie suffered the injury in the final game of the Sabres' Prospect Showcase in September. The 19-year-old is one of the Sabres' top prospects and is coming off of a season where he had 95 points (38G / 57A) in 62 games with the Winnipeg Ice (WHL).
McDavid appeared to be in some discomfort and was seen grabbing his left side after a shift late in the third period. He did not return for the final 4:20 of the third or the overtime period. Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft told reporters that he would have an update on the injury on Sunday, but that it appeared to be "more muscular" in nature. The 2022-23 Hart Trophy winner is enjoying another otherworldly start to this year's campaign, with two goals and six assists to his name through the opening five games of the season.
Skinner allowed four goals on 16 shots (.750 SV%) in his previous start as he lost to Vancouver but will look for redemption Saturday as he takes on Winnipeg. The 24-year-old has had a horrific two appearances for the Oilers thus far in 2023-24, with his 0-2-0 record, 5.33 GAA and .750 SV%. He will face the Winnipeg Jets, who have lost their last two games but are fourth in the NHL in shots per game (34.5).
Henrique missed the Ducks' morning skate due to illness and will be out Thursday as they take on Dallas. The 33-year-old veteran has an assist, no SOG and a -1 plus/minus through two games so far this season while averaging 15:45 TOI. Henrique has not played in more than 71 games in a single season since 2018-19.
Henrique missed the Ducks' morning skate due to illness and will be a game-time decision Thursday as they take on Dallas. The 33-year-old veteran has an assist, no SOG and a -1 plus/minus through two games so far this season while averaging 15:45 TOI. Henrique has not played in more than 71 games in a single season since 2018-19.
Stecher made his season debut Monday in a victory over the New York Rangers but will be a healthy scratch Tuesday as Arizona heads to Elmont to face the New York Islanders. The 29-year-old had one shot across 23 shifts and 17:38 TOI in his debut but will head to the press box Tuesday for Josh Brown.
Brown was a healthy scratch for Arizona's victory over the Rangers on Monday but will draw back into the lineup Tuesday vs. the New York Islanders. The 29-year-old defensemen will be replacing Troy Stecher in the Coyotes' lineup. In his one-game of action this season, he has one SOG through 13:14 TOI.
Brown collected 13:14 TOI in the Coyotes' season opening win vs. New Jersey but will be the odd man out as he is a healthy scratch Monday for Troy Stecher. The 29-year-old defenseman is coming off a four goal, three assist, 87 PIM season across 68 games played in 2022-23 and is playing in his sixth NHL season and has eight goals and 24 points in 240 career games played.
After being a healthy scratch in their season opener, Stecher will make his season debut in his return to the Arizona Coyotes. Last season, Stecher split time between the Coyotes and Flames, scoring 14 points (3G / 11A) in 81 games. Stecher will replace Josh Brown, who will be a healthy scratch on Monday night.
Ekholm missed the Oilers' season opener with a hip injury but is expected to play Saturday vs. the Canucks. Ekholm will help the Oilers blueline, which yielded eight goals on Wednesday. After joining the Oilers last season, Ekholm had 14 points (4G / 10A) and a remarkable plus-28 in 21 games.
