Egor Zamula will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Staal to draw back into the lineup. The veteran Staal played 17:12 in his last contest, well above his season average of 13:56, recording two hits and blocking one shot in the process.
Ersson has won three consecutive games and will start for a fifth straight time on Thursday night against the Nashville Predators. Ersson has been tremendous lately, helping his team collect at least a point in eight consecutive outings (7-0-1), allowing three or fewer goals in each, and posting a tremendous .930 SV%. The surprising Flyers, 7-0-2 in their last nine, are -119 home favourites against the Predators, who have scored only three combined goals in their last two games (1-1-0).
Bobrovsky had the night off in the Panthers' last contest but will likely return to the crease on Thursday evening. In his last game, Bobrovsky had a heroic 38-save performance (.974 SV%), allowing only one goal in a 5-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Through 23 games this season (14-8-1), Bobrovsky has a 2.49 GAA and .911 SV%. The Panthers are sizeable -200 home favourites against the St. Louis Blues, who were embarrassed by the Tampa Bay Lighting on Wednesday, being severely outplayed and losing 6-1.
Bellemare left the Kraken's game Monday vs. Dallas after just 4:10 TOI due to a broken bone in his leg and is now expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks. The 38-year-old French veteran left-winger had enjoyed a productive start to his 2023-24 season, with four goals, one assist, 25 SOG and a six PIMs in 29 games played prior to his injury.
On the back end of a back-to-back, the Islanders will likely turn to Varlamov after a 3-1 victory against the Edmonton Oilers last night courtesy of a strong performance from Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin has been active between the pipes for the Islanders this season, starting three of the last seven games. That said, his 2.73 GAA and .919 SV% are inflated by a strong start, as he has allowed three or more goals in each of his last eight contests (4-3-1), posting a .897 SV%. The Islanders are slight +102 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team that has only scored two combined goals in their last two games (1-1-0).
New Jersey was dealt a huge blow Tuesday as it was announced Dougie Hamilton is expected to be out until the playoffs after being placed on long-term Injured Reserve. The Devils will now be without their top defensemen until at least the playoffs who had five goals, 11 assists, 61 SOG, 20 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus in 20 games this season prior to getting hurt. The move opens up $9 million in cap space for the Devils.
Gauthier left the Islanders' game Tuesday after just 4:33 TOI due to an upper-body injury and will be out Wednesday vs. Washington but is staying with the team on their road trip. The 26-year-old right winger is on pace to set career highs in almost all statistical categories as he started the season with two goals, three assists, 19 SOG, four PIMs and a -3 plus/minus in 14 games prior to his injury.
Wahlstrom has missed the Islanders' previous eight games due to illness but is set to draw back into the lineup Wednesday as he takes the spot of Julien Gauthier (upper body). The 23-year-old right-winger had two goals, three assists, 23 SOG, four PIMs and a -5 plus/minus in 17 games played prior to missing the last two and a half weeks.
Talbot will return to the Kings' starters crease after backing up last game as he takes on Seattle Wednesday. The 36-year-old signed a one-year, $1 million contract in the offseason which has payed off fruitfully for the Kings as Talbot has been one of the leagues best goaltenders with his 13-5-2 record, .926 SV% and 2.02 GAA. He will host the Seattle Kraken Wednesday, who have lost two straight games and are struggling to score being 28th in the NHL in goals per game (2.7).
