Ice Chips: Marincin loaned to Marlies

Keep updated on all the injury news and roster updates from around the NHL with daily Ice Chips.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Defenceman Martin Marincin has been loaned to the AHL's Toronto Marlies, according to the team's Twitter. The 27-year-old has appeared in seven games for the Leafs this season and has not recorded a point.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe has opted to start recently recalled Michael Hutchinson against Buffalo on Friday in the first leg of a back-to-back against the Sabres. Prior to the Sheldon Keefe coaching era, Frederik Andersen would routinely play the team's first game. The Maple Leafs haven't won the second game of a back-to-back in six opportunities this season, four in October and two in November.

No other lineup changes for the Leafs.

Ottawa Senators

On Thursday head coach D.J. Smith confirmed that goaltender Anders Nilsson will start this afternoon's game in Minnesota. The 29-year-old backstop is 7-5-0-1 with a .927 save percentage and 2.58 goals-against average this season for the Senators.

Fellow netminder Craig Anderson was placed on Injured Reserve yesterday. Marcus Hogberg will serve as Nilsson's backup for the time being and is expected to make his season debut on Saturday against the Calgary Flames. He started four games with the club last season, posting an 0-2-1 record plus a no-decision.

Forwards Artem Anisimov and Vladislav Namestnikov are returning to the lineup from respective injuries, while J.C. Beaudin, Mikkel Boedker and Max Lajoie will sit. Tyler Ennis is a game-time decision.

Montreal Canadiens

Jonathan Drouin clarified that he tore a ligament in his left wrist versus Washington on Nov. 15 which required surgery. He remains of Injured Reserve.

Vancouver Canucks

Michael Ferland was in a non-contact practice jersey in Edmonton ahead of tomorrow night's game, while Brandon Sutter and Jay Beagle were both absent. 

New Jersey Devils

The team's 2019 first-overall pick, Jack Hughes, is not on the ice at practice today. He blocked a shot last night versus the Montreal Canadiens but remained in the game until its conclusion.

Forward Brett Seney has been assigned to the AHL's Binghamton Devils.

Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have recalled forward Clark Bishop from the AHL's Charlotte Checkers. In 20 games with the Canes last season, Bishop posted one goal and two assists.

In a corresponding move, Carolina reassigned forward Eetu Luostarinen to the Checkers.

Petr Mrazek will start in net.

Tonight's projected lineup:

Niederreiter-Staal-Foegele
Svechnikov-Aho-Teravainen
Dzingel-Wallmark-Necas
McGinn-Bishop-Martinook

Slavin-Hamilton
Edmundson-Pesce
Gardiner-Fleury

Mrazek
Reimer

Trevor van Riemsdyk is a healthy scratch.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Steven Stamkos is expected to make his highly-anticipated return to the Bolts' lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals.

The Bolts reassigned Cory Conacher to the AHL's Syracuse Crunch.

Tampa Bay is expected to ice a lineup featuring seven defencemen, meaning a forward from this group will sit:

Palat-Point-Kucherov
Killorn-Cirelli-Stamkos
Maroon-Paquette-Gourde
Verhaeghe-Johnson-Joseph

Hedman-Shattenkirk
McDonagh-Sergachev
Coburn-Schenn
Rutta

Vasilevskiy

Buffalo Sabres

Linus Ullmark will be the Sabres' starting netminder this afternoon against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Boston Bruins

Patrice Bergeron will miss his third consecutive game due to a lower-body injury.

Additionally, Jack Studnicka and Connor Clifton remain in the lineup to replace Brendan Gaunce and Steven Kampfer.

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets will have goaltender Joonas Korpisalo in between the pipes tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Riley Nash is back in the lineup in place of Eric Robinson.

Projected lineup:

Texier - Dubois - Atkinson 
Nyquist - Jenner - Bjorkstrand  
Milano - Foligno - Bemstrom 
Robinson - Wennberg - Anderson 

Werenski - Jones    
Murray - Savard  
Gavrikov - Kukan  

Korpisalo  
Merzlikins 

New York Rangers

Henrik Lundqvist is expected start for the Rangers today versus the Boston Bruins. It's the first game of a back-to-back situation and Alexandar Georgiev should play on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils.

St. Louis Blues

Jake Allen will start in goal for the Blues tonight versus the Dallas Stars.

Recently recalled forward Nathan Walker, 25, is projected to make his Blues debut versus the Dallas Stars tonight. He ranked third in AHL scoring with 22 points in 20 games at the time of his promotion.

Additionally, Oskar Sundqvist has been placed on Injured Reserve.

Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers will have Carter Hart in net against the Detroit Red Wings today and Brian Elliott will play tomorrow versus the Montreal Canadiens.

Washington Capitals

Garnet Hathaway is eligible to return from his three-game suspension today as the Caps take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Dallas Stars

Defenceman Joel Hanley has been placed on waivers to be reassigned to the AHL's Texas Stars.

Colorado Avalanche

Pavel Francouz is expected to start today against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Avs recalled forwards Sheldon Dries and A.J. Greer for depth at forward as a result of Andre Burakovsky's recent injury.

Nashville Predators

Tonight's projected lineup:

Forsberg - Johansen - Jarnkrok
Carr - Duchene - Granlund
Grimaldi - Bonino - Smith
Watson - Sissons - Olivier

Josi - Ellis
Ekholm - Fabbro
Hamhuis - Irwin

Rinne
Saros

Pittsburgh Penguins

Tristan Jarry is expected to start tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Arizona Coyotes

The Coyotes will have Darcy Kuemper is goal tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Detroit Red Wings

Calvin Pickard is expected to start for the Red Wings this afternoon.

Defenceman Mike Green has been activated from Injured Reserve and will play tonight. In a separate move, the team also placed goalie Jimmy Howard in Injured Reserve.