Hyman did not play on Tuesday due to illness. Evander Kane replaced him on the top powerplay unit, but Hyman will retake his rightful spot there when he returns to action on Thursday. Hyman has been tremendous lately, recording multi-point efforts in three consecutive games, totalling seven points (4G / 3A) and an outrageous 16 shots on goal.
Wedgewood will return to the crease for the first time since November 20th, when he saved 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers. Wedgewood has been excellent when called upon this season, posting a 3.02 GAA and .916 SV% in five games (4-1-0) and has excelled lately, posting a .930 SV% in his last three starts (3-0-0). The Stars lost at home against the Calgary Flames last week but have been exceptionally better on the road this season, posting an 8-1-1 record, and, as such, are -128 road favourites on Thursday.
Georgiev has won six of his last seven starts and will likely start on Thursday as the Avalanche, who have won four straight, visit the Arizona Coyotes. Georgiev has been somewhat inconsistent this season but has been tremendous his last three games (3-0-0), saving 84 of 89 shots (.944 SV%) in that stretch. The Avalanche will look to win for the eighth time in their last nine games as they are sizeable -186 road favourites against a Coyotes team that has fared well recently as well, outscoring their opposition 5-1 during a two-game winning streak.
Binnington will start for the third consecutive game and look to build off a strong 34-save performance (.919 SV%) in a 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. Binnington has been mostly solid this season, recording a 2.91 GAA and .910 SV% through 16 games (6-6-1), but has allowed three or more goals in four of his last five appearances (1-2-0). The Blues are -122 home favourites on Thursday against a Buffalo Sabres team that ranks in the bottom-third of the league offensively (2.91 GF / GP) and has been wildly inconsistent this season, indicated by their 4-4-0 record over their last eight games.
Georgiev has won six of his last seven starts and will likely start on Thursday as the Avalanche, who have won four straight, visit the Arizona Coyotes. Georgiev has been somewhat inconsistent this season but has been tremendous his last three games (3-0-0), saving 84 of 89 shots (.944 SV%) in that stretch. The Avalanche will look to win for the eighth time in their last nine games as they are sizeable -186 road favourites against a Coyotes team that has fared well recently as well, outscoring their opposition 5-1 during a two-game winning streak.
Demko has started five of the last six games for the Canucks and will start again on Thursday as he looks for his third straight win. Demo was stellar on Tuesday, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 3-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks and has saved 53 of 55 (.964 SV%) over his last two games (2-0-0). The Canucks have won three of their last five (3-2-0) and are -124 home favourites against a Vegas Golden Knights team that has been held to one or fewer goals in two of their last three games (0-1-2).
Gudas did not play on Tuesday after exiting the previous game for the Ducks, playing only 13:02, with a lower-body injury, but is expected to return to their lineup on Thursday. Gudas, known mostly for his heavy-hitting, is pacing for his best offensive season in seven years, with seven points (4G / 3A) in 21 games. In contrast, he is averaging only 2.76 hits per game, his lowest output over the last four seasons.
Wedgewood will likely return to the crease for the first time since November 20th, when he saved 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers. Wedgewood has been excellent when called upon this season, posting a 3.02 GAA and .916 SV% in five games (4-1-0) and has excelled lately, posting a .930 SV% in his last three starts (3-0-0). The Stars lost at home against the Calgary Flames last week but have been exceptionally better on the road this season, posting an 8-1-1 record, and, as such, are -128 road favourites on Thursday.
Jonsson-Fjallby is expected to come out of the Jets' lineup on Thursday in anticipation of Gabriel Viladri's return. In six games this season, Jonsson-Fjallby registered zero points and one shot on goal while averaging 7:36 time-on-ice.
Kelemen played four of the last five games for the Coyotes but will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Juuso Valimaki to return to the lineup. The Slovak-born Keleman averaged 7:15 time-on-ice, registering four hits, two shots, and zero points in four games.
Don't look now, but Blackwood and the last-place San Jose Sharks are playing and competing in hockey games. The Sharks have won three of their last six (3-3-0), impressive totals considering the team's 11-game losing streak to start the season. The Sharks' recent uptick in play is due in part to Blackwood, who has been exceptional lately, recording a .924 SV% in his last eight appearances (3-3-1). That said, the Sharks are massive +429 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that has lost three straight (0-3-0) but defeated the Sharks 3-1 on October 19th.
Valimaki will play his first game since November 14th, when he took a puck to the face. Before his injury, Valimaki skated predominantly alongside Troy Stecher and recorded four points (0G / 4A) in 15 games while averaging 18:13 time-on-ice.
Deservedly so, Ingram will start for the third consecutive game after rotating starts evenly with Karel Vejmelka for the first six weeks of the season. Ingram has been sensational this season, responsible for eight of the Coyotes' 10 wins, despite only playing in 12 games himself, boasting a stellar 2.49 GAA and .924 SV%. Ingram has saved 64 of the last 65 shots he has faced (.985 SV%) during a two-game winning streak. Even so, the Coyotes are +164 home underdogs against the red-hot Colorado Avalanche, who have won four straight games, outscoring their opposition 15-6.
Over the past month, Varlamov has started one of every three games for the Islanders, a trend that will continue on Thursday as Varalamov was in the starter's crease at the morning skate. Varlamov has a tremendous 2.30 GAA and .930 SV% through seven games this season, totals positively inflated from a strong start to the season. The 35-year-old goaltender hasn't been nearly as dominant in recent games, allowing three or more goals in four straight outings (1-2-1) and posting a .893 SV%. The Islanders are +179 road underdogs against the Carolina Hurricanes, who have won two straight and rank 12th in the league offensively (3.33 GF / GP).
Luukkonen has been a bright spot in an inconsistent season for the Sabres, as he will likely start for the second consecutive game on Thursday. With Devon Levi being sent down to the AHL, Luukkonen appears to be the favourite in the Sabres' goaltending tandem with him and Eric Comrie. Luukkonen is riding a three-game winning streak and has a sensational .942 SV% in his past five appearances (3-1-0). That said, the Sabres are still +112 road underdogs against the St. Louis Blues, who rank in the bottom third of the league offensively (2.86 GF / GP).
Saros will start for the third straight game and look for his fifth consecutive victory as the red-hot Predators are riding a six-game winning streak. After a shaky start to the season, recording only four wins in his first 13 games (4-9-0) and a .892 SV%, Saros has looked more like himself during his current four-game winning streak, boasting a .925 SV%. The Predators are averaging 4.33 goals per game during this six-game stretch and are -115 home favourites against a Minnesota Wild team that ranks second-worst in the league defensively (3.80 GA / GP).
Bobrovsky is coming off a light, 20-save performance against the Ottawa Senators on Monday, in which he recorded his second shutout of the season in a commanding 5-0 victory. Bobrovsky will return to the crease on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens, a team he has been terrific against throughout his career, posting a 2.48 GAA and .921 SV% in 24 games (15-7-1). The Panthers are sizeable -244 road favourites against the Canadiens, who played last night in a 4-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets and rank sixth-worst in the league offensively (2.77 GF / GP).
