Klingberg, previously believed to be a healthy scratch on Friday, will now be out of the lineup to tend to an undisclosed injury. Despite frequent deployment with the Maple Leafs top powerplay unit, Klingberg has failed to record a point in his last seven games, registering a -6 plus/minus rating.
Cozens has not played since November 3rd, when he suffered an upper-body injury in a fight with Philadelphia Flyer Garnet Hathaway. Prior to his injury, Cozens was in the midst of a dry spell, being held pointless in three consecutive games. He is expected to return to a top-six role and top-powerplay designation.
Nosek has missed the last 10 games with a lower-body injury and is slated to make his return on Friday. In two games this season, Nosek was held without a point, averaging 12:10 time-on-ice. He is expected to play on a line with Erik Haula and Curtis Lazar.
As has been the case most of the season, Bobrovsky has had difficulty with consistency between the pipes. That said, his Panthers teammates have done a formidable job of generating offence and providing him with goal support of late. Despite three sub-.900 SV% efforts, Bobrovsky has not lost in regulation in his last five games (4-0-1), saving 120 of 132 shots in the process (.909 SV%). On Friday, Bobrovsky and the Panthers are +119 home underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes squad that has won five of their last six (5-1-0).
Vanecek allowed five goals on 31 shots on Tuesday in a 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche but will look to rebound as the likely starter on Friday. Before that most recent loss, Vanecek had won four consecutive games, saving 108 of 120 shots faced (.900 SV%). Lindy Ruff's high-tempo offensive structure isn't particularly conducive to low-scoring affairs, but Vanecek should continue to garner a healthy amount of victories throughout the season. On Friday, the Devils are -170 home favourites against a Washington Capitals team that ranks second-worst in the league offensively (2.00 GF / GP).
Reilly played his first two games of the season with Uvis Balinskis being a healthy scratch, recording seven shots on goal and a -2 plus/minus rating in the two contests. Reilly will return to the pressbox with Balinskis drawing back into the Panthers' lineup.
Balinskis has played 10 games for the Panthers but has been scratched in their two most recent contests in favour of Mike Reilly. Balinskis, who has zero points while averaging 14:07 time-on-ice, will return to the third defensive pair with Josh Mahura.
Garand was originally called up as a precautionary measure with Jonathan Quick dealing with an injury in addition to the already-injured Igor Shesterkin. Garand's reassignment to Hartford is a good sign the Quick, Shesterkin, or both are ready to return to the lineup.
Foote spent most of the last two weeks with the Devils as a depth defenceman but was never given the opportunity to crack the lineup. Before his call-up, Foote had two points (1G / 1A) in three games with the Utica Comets of the AHL.
Blackwood was the driving force behind the Sharks' first victory of the season on Tuesday, saving 38 of 39 shots against the Philadelphia Flyers. Victory aside, the Sharks are still +288 home underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers team that will be desperate to shake out of their funk. After leading the league in offence a season ago (3.96 GF / GP), the Oilers rank 26th in the league (2.64 GF / GP) and, despite their well-documented struggles (2-8-1), remain a threat every night that Connor McDavid takes the ice.
With the surprise waiving of Jack Campbell earlier this week Stuart Skinner is now the Oilers' starter and will take the crease Thursday vs. San Jose. The 25-year-old was an All-Star last season but has been horrendous so far in 2023-24, with his 1-4-1 record, .856 SV% and 3.99 GAA. He takes on the historically struggling San Jose Sharks, who snapped an 11-game losing streak with a victory last game over PHI and are last in the NHL in both shots per game (24.8) and goals per game (1.17).
It's Copley's first start since October 27th's game in Arizona, when he was pulled in favour of Cam Talbot after allowing three goals on just six shots. Thanks to his own struggles and an excellent run of form from Talbot, Copley has been relegated back to his usual back-up role after he made a career-high 37 appearances for the Kings last year. Copley owns an abysmal .788 SV% and a 4.98 GAA across three starts this season. Copley and the Kings are slight favourites at -120 over the Penguins on Thursday.
Grubauer will get the start on Thursday against his former team, marking his fourth start in the Kraken's last five games. In his last three games (2-1-0), Grubauer has saved 91 of 100 shots (.910 SV%). Grubauer has historically been very good against the Avalanche, most recently leading the Kraken to knock them out in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. The Kraken are +169 road underdogs on Thursday but could put up a strong fight against an Avalanche team that has been shut out in three of their last five games (2-3-0) and will be starting Ivan Prosvetov in net.
Saros will get the nod in goal for a league-leading eleventh time this season. The Predators' workhorse gave up just three goals on 38 shots in Tuesday's 4-2 defeat to the Flames. Saros owns a .911 SV% and a 2.73 GAA to go along with his 4-6-0 record. He has a decent chance of getting back in the win column on Thursday with the Predators being just slight underdogs at +105 on the road in Winnipeg.
Dermott has an assist, 13 SOG, six PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through 10 games played so far this season. The 26-year-old is in his seventh NHL season but missed 71 games in 2022-23 due to injury. Michael Kesselring was recalled from Tucson (AHL) in a corresponding move.
Faksa has not played since October 30th but will return on Thursday after being a full participant in the Stars' last two practices. Faksa has zero points, averaging 13:24 time-on-ice through seven games this season.
Duchene exited the Stars' Saturday night contest against the Vancouver Canucks late in the second period and did not return, ultimately missing the teams' Monday game against the Boston Bruins. Before his injury, Duchene was in the midst of a five-game point streak, tallying five points (2G / 3A) and seems to be finding his stride with the Stars.
Pelech did not play on Saturday because of an undisclosed injury and he was a game-time decision for Tuesday's game against the Wild before ultimately being cleared to play. Pelech has registered one assist, 22 blocked shots, and 12 hits in ten games this season. The Islanders say Pelech is day-to-day with the lower-body injury.
Horvat did not play on Tuesday and was officially listed as a game-time decision on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. Heis averaging 19:43 time-on-ice this season and has nine points (4G / 5A) through 10 games.
