NHL Hockey Player News

Bobrosvky will start for the eighth time in nine games for the Panthers as they take on the Detroit Red Wings Thursday evening. As he has been for most of his tenure as a Panther, Bobrovsky has had an up-and-down season, averaging a 2.87 GAA and .903 SV% through seven games (3-3-1), with only three of those being quality starts. The Panthers are -117 road favourites but will be put to the test against a Red Wings team that has scored with ease, ranking fourth offensively early in the 2023-24 campaign (4.00 GF / GP).

Lockwood was a healthy scratch for the Panthers' previous game but will draw back into the lineup Thursday vs. Detroit as he replaces Sam Bennett (lower body). The 25-year-old is in his first campaign in Florida after signing a two-year, two-way contract in the offseason and has yet to pick up a point in his short two-game showing so far in 2023-24 while only averaging 6:54 TOI.

After a slow start to the season, the Hurricanes are in the midst of a three-game winning streak and will likely turn to Andersen for his second consecutive start. In his last two games (2-0-0), Andersen has saved 50 of 54 shots (.926 SV%) and appears to be returning to form after posting a .855 SV% in his first three appearances (2-0-0). Despite their recent success, the Hurricanes are slight +100 road underdogs as they visit the 7-2-0 New York Rangers, who have outscored their opposition 17-7 during a five-game winning streak.

Joseph Woll suffered his worst performance of the season, allowing four goals on 27 shots in a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday and as a result, the team appears it will turn back to Ilya Samsonov on Thursday night. In five games (2-1-1), Samsonov has an unimpressive 3.99 GAA and .841 SV% and won't have the luxury of easing his way back into form as the Maple Leafs take on the only Eastern Conference team without a regulation loss, the Boston Bruins (8-0-1).

Tomkins will get his second start of the season after serving as backup to Jonas Johansson for the majority of time thus far. In his only NHL game, Tomkins allowed four goals on 33 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators on October 15th. The Lightning will hope Tomkins fares more favourably against an easier assignment on Thursday as they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets, who rank 26th offensively (2.56 GF / GP) and have lost four consecutive games.

Fleury has appeared in two games so far this season for the Lightning and has an assist, and a +1 plus/minus but has been reassigned to Syracuse (AHL) Thursday for a conditioning assignment. The 27-year-old returns to the AHL for the first time since 2018-19 when he was with Charlotte (AHL) so he should be back up with Tampa sooner rather than later.

Gustavsson will return to the crease on Thursday after serving as the Wild backup in their last two games. After a sensational 41-save shutout in his season debut, Gustavsson has struggled immensely with a 5.45 GAA and .853 SV% in four games (1-2-1). Gustavsson was one of the league's top goaltenders last season and still has plenty of time to turn things around but Thursday night's matchup against the high-octane New Jersey Devils doesn't inspire much confidence. The Wild are only slight -103 home underdogs but are facing a Devils team that is averaging 4.6 goals per game over their last five contests (4-1-0).

Varlamov has been outstanding in limited action this season and will return to the crease for his third start as the Islanders take on the Washington Capitals. In two games this season (1-1-0), Varlamov has an outrageous 1.51 GAA and .961 SV% including one shutout and has been historically great against the Capitals in his career, boasting a 2.62 GAA and .918 SV% in 21 games (7-11-3). The Islanders are -113 road favourites against a Capitals team that is 29th in the league offensively (2.13 GF / GP).

Wotherspoon was recalled Wednesday after putting up an assist, six PIMs, and a -1 plus/minus in six games with Providence (AHL) and will make his Boston Bruins debut Thursday vs. Toronto. The 26-year-old defensemen signed a one-year, $775,000 deal with Boston in the offseason and has an assist, 10 SOG, four PIMs and a +5 plus/minus in 12 career games played after debuting in 2022-23 with the New York Islanders.

Forbort played a season-high 23:28 on Monday for the Bruins in their 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers but suffered an undisclosed injury at some point and will miss Thursday night contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Forbort's absence comes at a time when the Bruins are already thin on the back end, being without Charlie McAvoy (suspension) and Matt Grzelcyk (upper-body). On Wednesday, the team recalled defensemen Parker Wotherspoon, Ian Mitchell, and Mason Lohrei from the Providence Bruins of the AHL.

Merzlikins will get the start on Thursday as he is desperate to snap his current three-game losing streak but will be hard-pressed to do so against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After posting a.920 SV% in his first three games (2-1-0), Merzlikins has struggled since, failing to record a victory (0-1-2) while posting a .875 SV%. The Blue Jackets are +139 home underdogs as the Lightning will be looking to rebound from a 4-3 overtime loss on Monday against the Seattle Kraken.

Zub has missed the last four games with an upper-body injury and initially appeared like might return on Thursday but has now officially been ruled out of the contest against the Los Angeles Kings. In four games this season, Zub has amassed three points (1G / 2A), eight hits, and nine blocks while averaging 17:57 time-on-ice.

Shesterkin appears to be the starter on Thursday as he looks for his fourth consecutive victory. Shesterkin has been lights-out during his current three-game winning streak, allowing only six goals total and posting a .932 SV%. The Rangers in general are off to a fabulous start to the 2023-24 campaign, posting a 7-2-0 record, but will be challenged tonight as they welcome the Carolina Hurricanes, who have outscored their opposition 9-4 over their last three games (3-0-0).

Hart left the Flyers' Wednesday night game against the Buffalo Sabres midway through the first period with an apparent mid-body injury and was unable to return. Hart's status hasn't been confirmed yet but any extended absence will be a huge loss for the Flyers as he has been off to a terrific start, posting a 2.52 GAA and .913 SV% through eight games (4-3-1). Look for Samuel Ersson and Felix Sandstrom to take on Hart's goaltending duties in his absence.