Kuznetsov made his NHL debut on Tuesday but will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Jordan Oesterle to draw back into the lineup. In his debut, Kuznetsov recorded two shots on goal and a -1 plus/minus in 11:58 time-on-ice.
Markstrom's strong performance on Tuesday, saving 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%), helped the Flames snap a two-game losing streak and will return to the crease on Thursday. Since returning from a fractured finger injury last month, Markstrom has quietly drawn together a solid stretch of play, posting a stellar .931 SV% in eight games (5-3-0). The Flames are -122 road favourites on Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes, who snapped a three-game losing streak in their last contest with a 4-3 overtime victory over the Boston Bruins.
With Linus Ullmark out of the lineup due to a lower-body injury, the Bruins net will belong to Swayman, starting tonight with a matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights. Swayman entered Tuesday's game in relief of Linus Ullmark and was put into a difficult position, allowing the game-winning goal on the first shot he faced in overtime. Swayman is winless in his last three (0-1-2), posting an ugly .861 SV% in the process. The Bruins are -128 road favourites on Thursday against the Golden Knights, who were shutout 3-0 by the Colorado Avalanche last night.
In only his third game after returning from the World Junior Tournament, Poitras exited Wednesday's game against the Arizona Coyotes after playing only 8:34 time-on-ice with a shoulder injury. Poitras has been held without a shot on goal in three games but has two points (0G / 2A).
With Linus Ullmark out of the lineup due to a lower-body injury, the Bruins net will belong to Swayman, starting tonight with a matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights. Swayman entered Tuesday's game in relief of Linus Ullmark and was put into a difficult position, allowing the game-winning goal on the first shot he faced in overtime. Swayman is winless in his last three (0-1-2), posting an ugly .861 SV% in the process. The Bruins are -128 road favourites on Thursday against the Golden Knights, who were shutout 3-0 by the Colorado Avalanche last night.
There is no timeline for a Landeskog return, and he was skating alone, but it was still encouraging to see him at the Avalanche practice facility on Thursday. Landeskog missed the entire 2022-23 regular season as he recovered from knee surgery and followed that up with a cartilage transplant in his right knee during the offseason. The 30-year-old has 571 points (248G/323A) and a +77 plus/minus across 738 career NHL games.
Mrazek wasn't tested heavily on Tuesday and allowed two goals on only 15 shots (.867 SV%) in a 2-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. He will return to the crease on Thursday for his third straight start as the Blackhawks take on another difficult foe, the Winnipeg Jets, who are riding a seven-game winning streak. Considering Mrazek plays on the second-worst offence in the league (2.36 GF / GP), it is remarkable that he has salvaged a 10-14-1 record along with a .902 SV%.
Vejmelka will continue the goalie rotation for the Coyotes on Thursday as he will start for the sixth time in the last 12 games. After seemingly refining his game in December, posting a stellar .939 SV% in three straight wins, Vejmelka has struggled against two tough opponents in his last two games (0-2-0), allowing eight goals on 72 combined shots (.889 SV%). Vejmelka and the Coyotes are slight +111 home underdogs against a more evenly matched opponent on Thursday, the Calgary Flames, who have lost two of their last three games (1-2-0).
Since Lyon returned shortly after the Christmas break, the Red Wings have bounced back from a 1-5-0 skid in his absence with a 4-1-0 record in their last five, all games that Lyon has started. Lyon has undoubtedly been the most reliable netminder for the Red Wings this season, as is evident from his .921 SV% over his last three games (3-0-0). That said, the Red Wings are +144 home underdogs against a tough opponent in the Edmonton Oilers, among the league's hottest teams and are riding an eight-game winning streak.
Forsberg will return to the crease for the Senators on Thursday as they attempt to snap their four-game losing skid. Forsberg has been wildly inconsistent this season but has salvaged a .914 SV% in his last four games (2-2-0) despite allowing three or more goals in three of them. The Senators are +116 road underdogs against a Buffalo Sabres team defeated 5-2 by the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday.
Shesterkin has followed up three of his last four quality starts by allowing three or more goals, including allowing five on 25 shots (.800 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. The 2023-24 campaign has been inconsistent for the 2021-22 Vezina winner, as his .904 SV% and 2.85 GAA are well below his career-averaged .921 SV% and 2.44 GAA. Despite his unspectacular play, Shesterkin has managed a respectable 16-9-0 record for a Rangers club that sits first in the Metropolitan Division. The Rangers have lost two straight but are sizeable -161 road favourites against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night.
Zibanejad did not practice on Wednesday due to an illness but will play on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. Zibenejad has only two points (0G / 2A) in his last four games but has been consistent all season, scoring 39 points (14G / 25A) in 39 games.
Trouba did not participate in practice on Tuesday or Wednesday as he was expecting the birth of his child but will play on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. The 29-year-old Trouba has been an effective producer for the Rangers lately, scoring three points (1G / 2A), registering 19 hits, and 18 shots in his last five games.
Demko did not play on Tuesday, the back end of a back-to-back, a 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders, but will return to the crease on Thursday in search of his third straight win. Demko has been unspectacular lately, allowing three or more goals in six of his last seven games, but his .898 SV% in that stretch has been enough to salvage a 5-1-1 record. The Canucks are +113 road underdogs against a Pittsburgh Penguins club that handily defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 in their last game.
Murray returned to backing up Scott Wedgewood on Wednesday after recording a shutout on Monday in his season debut against the Minnesota Wild. Murray has been involved in paper transactions daily since being recalled from the Texas Stars (AHL) after Jake Oettinger was injured as part of salary cap gymnastics. It is unclear if Murray's most recent demotion is permanent or if he will be recalled again ahead of their next contest as Oettinger nears his return.
Robertson scored a goal while playing 14:54 time-on-ice in his return to action from a two-game absence on Tuesday but will be a healthy scratch for the Maple Leafs on Thursday. Robertson has three goals in his last four games while averaging less than 12 minutes per night.
