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Whitney, Kovalev healthy scratches again

Edmonton Oilers v Phoenix Coyotes

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 23: Ryan Whitney #6 of the Edmonton Oilers warms up before the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on November 23, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Oilers 5-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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Two veteran NHLers that have already spent time in the press box will be back there again on Thursday.

In Edmonton, defenseman Ryan Whitney will be a healthy scratch when the Oilers take on the Minnesota Wild. Theo Peckham will replace Whitney in the lineup and make his season debut.

Whitney has been held out of three games this year by head coach Ralph Krueger,

In Florida, forward Alexei Kovalev will be a healthy scratch when the Panthers take on the Flyers in Philadelphia.

Kovalev, who turns 40 on Sunday, has missed just two games this season and has put up decent numbers following a one-year hiatus from the NHL, recording 2G-3A-5PTS while averaging over 16 minutes per game.

It sounds as though winger Mike Santorelli will draw into the Florida lineup to replace Kovalev.