Gauthier has missed two of the last three games but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The 26-year-old is off to the most productive start of his five-year career, with two goals, five points, 19 SOG and. four PIMs in 15 games.
Thompson was a late scratch for Wednesday's game, with the team only announcing his absence just over 30 minutes before the puck drop, but he will return to the lineup on Friday after being activated from the non-roster list. Thompson has nine goals and ten assists in 26 games this season. Tyson Jost drew into the Sabres' lineup and centred the first line in Thompson's absence.
Bobrovsky will start for the fourth straight game and look for his third consecutive win when he tends the twine on Friday night against the New York Rangers. The 35-year-old Bobrovsky has been tremendous in his last two outings, posting impressive victories against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights, saving a combined 50 of 54 shots (.926 SV%). Bobrovsky and the Panthers are -133 home favourites in their first matchup of the season against the Rangers, who have won five of their last six games (5-1-0).
Varlamov entered Wednesday's 7-0 blowout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in relief of Ilya Sorokin in the third period, allowing one goal on seven shots (.857 SV%). However, he was absent from practice on Thursday, dealing with an undisclosed injury, and is considered day-to-day, expected to miss Friday's contest against the Washington Capitals. The Islanders recalled Ken Appleby from Bridgeport (AHL), who will likely serve as the backup to Sorokin if Varlamov is unable to suit up on Friday.
With Semyon Varlamov battling an undisclosed injury, Lane Lambert and the Islanders coaching staff have an easy decision turning back to Sorokin between the pipes, despite his porous performance in their previous outings. On Wednesday, Sorokin allowed six goals on 25 shots (.760 SV%) in an eventual 7-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Islanders, -147 home favourites, are 1-1-1 against the Capitals this season, but Friday will mark Sorokin's first appearance against them this season.
Korpisalo was terrific in his first game back from the Christmas break and will likely return to the crease on Friday. The 29-year-old Korpisalo saved 34 of 36 shots (.944 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, his first win under the new Jacques Martin era in Ottawa. The Senators, winners of two straight, are slight +101 home underdogs in their first matchup of the season against the New Jersey Devils, who have points in three of their last four (2-1-1).
Bobrovsky will start for the fourth straight game and look for his third consecutive win when he tends the twine on Friday night against the New York Rangers. The 35-year-old Bobrovsky has been tremendous in his last two outings, posting impressive victories against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights, saving a combined 50 of 54 shots (.926 SV%). Bobrovsky and the Panthers are -133 home favourites in their first matchup of the season against the Rangers, who have won five of their last six games (5-1-0).
Carpenter has not played since December 3rd, a 10-game absence, and was a game-time decision for the Sharks on Thursday after being activated from the injured reserve. The 32-year-old centre is on pace to play the most amount of games he has in three seasons and has a goal, four assists, 21 SOG, and two PIMs in 18 games played this season.
Talbot will take the crease for the second half of the Kings' back-to-back as they head to Vegas on Thursday. The 36-year-old signed a one-year contract in the offseason and has been worth every penny as he has posted a 14-6-2 record, 2.06 GAA and .925 SV%. He will take on the ice cold Vegas Golden Knights, who have lost four straight games but are still 11th in the NHL in goals per game (3.33).
Thompson will be back between the pipes for the Golden Knights on Thursday for the second time in as many nights after he made his return from an upper-body injury on Wednesday. It's a bit of a surprising move considering Thompson is coming off an injury and did not look particularly sharp in Anaheim on Wednesday, when he allowed five goals on just 26 shots enroute to a 5-2 defeat. Vegas will be hoping he can find his form and put an end to their four-game losing streak when they host the Kings on Thursday.
Raanta was recently recalled from Chicago (AHL), where he went 1-0-1 while allowing six goals on 48 shots (.875 SV%). He has struggled for the Hurricanes this season, going 6-5-1 with a 3.61 GAA, .854 SV% and one shutout in 14 appearances. He has a good chance to get back in the win column on Thursday, as the Hurricanes host the Canadiens as large -252 home favourites.
Raanta was just recalled from Chicago (AHL) after going 1-0-1 with an .875 SV% and 2.90 GAA and will take the Hurricanes' crease for the first time since December 15th, 2023. The 34-year-old was waived earlier in the month due to his overall weak play, with his 6-5-1 record, 3.61 GAA and .854 SV%. He'll take on the Montreal Canadiens Thursday, who have won three of their last four games but are struggling offensively as they are 27th in the NHL in goals per game (2.79).
Talbot will take the crease for the second half of the Kings' back-to-back as they head to Vegas on Thursday. The 36-year-old signed a one-year contract in the offseason and has been worth every penny as he has posted a 14-6-2 record, 2.06 GAA and .925 SV%. He will take on the ice cold Vegas Golden Knights, who have lost four straight games but are still 11th in the NHL in goals per game (3.33).
After undergoing offseason shoulder surgery and prolonged contract negotiations, Bear has signed a two-year, $4.125 million contract with the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old Bear played 61 games with the Vancouver Canucks last season, scoring 16 points (3G / 13A), recording a +6 plus/minus, and registering 82 blocks while averaging 18:32 time-on-ice. Bear should help solidify the blueline for a Capitals team that already ranks top-10 in the league defensively, allowing only 2.75 goals per game.
With Olli Maatta and Jeff Petry expected to return to the lineup on Friday, Edvinsson's services are no longer needed and, as such, he has been reassigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL). Edvinsson played the last two games from the Red Wings, averaging over 14 minutes of time-on-ice, recording one point (0G / 1A), and registering three hits.
Karel Vejmelka was between the pipes for the Coyotes on Wednesday in their 5-4 overtime win over the Avalanche, but the team will shift back to their early-season strategy of alternating starts and turn to Ingram on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks. Ingram has lost the magic he had in late November, dropping four of his last five games (1-4-0), posting a subpar .873 SV%. That said, Ingram and the Coyotes will have a favourable matchup against a Ducks team that ranks fourth worst in the league offensively (2.65 GF / GP) despite defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 5-2 in their last game.
