Thursday fantasy hockey tips - NHL picks, matchups, more

The rigors of the 82-game campaign are beginning to set in across the NHL. Injuries are always lurking, but are certainly ever-present as the clock ticks down on the regular season.

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Will Pierre-Luc Dubois or Josh Morrissey return for the Winnipeg Jets as they host the Boston Bruins? Will Thomas Chabot miss another game for the Ottawa Senators as they get a visit from the Colorado Avalanche? Speaking of the Avs, how did their lines look on Wednesday in their first game without Artturi Lehkonen for the remainder of the season? Is Filip Forsberg going to suit up for the Nashville Predators with a juicy matchup in the visiting Chicago Blackhawks? Is Steven Stamkos going to miss another game against the New Jersey Devils after sitting out Tuesday's matchup between the Eastern Conference heavyweights? Will Nick Schmaltz still be on the sidelines for the Arizona Coyotes as they host the Vancouver Canucks? Is Zach Hyman going to miss another game for the Edmonton Oilers as they take on the Dallas Stars? Is Kevin Fiala going to be available to the Los Angeles Kings as they host their trade partners from the Columbus Blue Jackets?

Most of these questions won't have an answer until closer to puck-drop on Thursday, which is exactly the point: This is the time of year when more nagging injuries begin to crop up. If you are in tight races for the crown in your league, you will want to pay more attention to the day-to-day lineup cards, as a missed game here or a missed game there can start to add up.

Additionally, a missed game here or a missed game there is an opportunity for someone in that lineup to step up.

Thurs