NHL Hockey Player News

Timo Meier (personal) will not play on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, allowing Parent to draw into the lineup for his NHL debut. Parent is an undrafted 24-year-old that has spent the previous four seasons in the AHL with the Utica Comets. He has 12 points (6G / 6A) in 20 games with Utica this season.

Edvinsson was limited to only 14:37 time-on-ice in yesterday's 4-3 win over the Calgary Flames, exiting with a lower-body injury. The 22-year-old Edvinsson has played top-pair minutes this season, averaging a career-high 21:45 time-on-ice and scoring nine points (3G / 6A) in 28 games. The Red Wings recalled Erik Gustafsson in a corresponding move.

Simon Edvinsson (lower body) will not play on Thursday, resulting in the Red Wings recalling Gustafsson from the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL). The 33-year-old Gustafsson played one game with the Red Wings this season, recording zero points in 17:23 time-on-ice.

After allowing five goals on 27 shots (.815 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vladar bounced back in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks, saving 17 of 18 shots (.944 SV%). The 28-year-old Czech goalie has been solid for the Flyers, pacing for the best season of his career, with a 2.50 GAA and .908 SV% in 17 games (11-5-1). The Flyers enter Thursday's contest as +132 home underdogs against a Vegas Golden Knights team with points in five straight games (4-0-1).

Hedman has already missed 12 games due to injuries this season, and will return to the sidelines for at least a week, if not more, after surfacing on Injured Reserve on Thursday. The 34-year-old Norris Trophy winner has clearly not been at his best this season, as evidenced by his low shot totals: averaging only 1.4 shots per game, a full shot less than the 2.4 he averaged over the previous decade. He has 12 points (0G / 12A) in 18 games this season.

With Victor Hedman (undisclosed) returning to the sidelines with an injury, Tampa Bay has recalled Carlile from Syracuse (AHL). The 29-year-old Carlile is averaging 12:53 time-on-ice and has one goal in nine games with Tampa Bay this season.

Rielly was battling an illness, but will be ready to suit up when the Maple Leafs return to action on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. Already battling a myriad of injuries on their blueline, the Maple Leafs would ill-afford to be without their icetime leader, Morgan Rielly. The 31-year-old Rielly is putting together an excellent season, with 22 points (5G / 17A) in 28 games.

Jet Greaves has proven to be the more reliable Blue Jackets goalie this season, but Merzlikins will get another look on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. The 31-year-old Merzlikins allowed a season-high seven goals on 40 shots (.825 SV%) in his most recent game, a 7-6 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers. He has an ugly 3.87 GAA and .885 SV% in 12 games (6-5-1). Despite his poor statistics, Merzlikins has quality starts in 50 percent of his games, his best rate in the last five seasons. The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as +102 home underdogs against a Senators team that has lost five of its last six games (1-5-0).

Markstrom has been unreliable and inconsistent between the pipes this season, but the Devils are hoping he can build momentum off a solid 35-save performance (.921 SV%) in their most recent game, a 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators. The 35-year-old Markstrom has an ugly 3.48 GAA and .880 SV% in 15 games (8-6-1) and is sporting a career-worst 29 percent quality start rate. The Devils enter Thursday's contest as +120 home underdogs against a Tampa Bay Lightning team that erupted for a 6-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens in their last game after being shut out in two straight.