NHL Hockey Player News

Spacek was drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and is awaiting his NHL debut. The 22-year-old defenseman has 11 points (0G / 11A) in 26 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL) this season.

The Capitals were atop the Eastern Conference one week ago, but after losing three straight (0-2-1), they find themselves in a Wild Card spot in an ultra-tight standings race. That said, Thompson has been outstanding for Washington this season, posting a 2.09 GAA and .922 SV% in 23 games (13-7-3). Better yet, he has a 1.90 GAA and .940 SV% in his last eight outings (5-1-2). The Capitals enter the action on Thursday as -150 home favorites against a Toronto Maple Leafs team that narrowly defeated the Chicago Blackhawks in a 3-2 come-from-behind win on Tuesday to snap a two-game losing skid.

Brendan Gaunce (personal) will not play on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild, allowing Aston-Reese to re-enter the lineup for the first time in over two weeks. The 31-year-old Aston-Reese has three assists and 41 hits in 17 games this season.

Gaunce has been a lineup-regular for Columbus over the past couple of weeks, but he will exit the lineup on Thursday to tend to a personal matter. The 31-year-old Gaunce has four points (1G / 3A) in 12 games this season. Zach Aston-Reese will draw back into the Blue Jackets' lineup as Gaunce's replacement.

Greaves snapped a personal seven-game losing streak (0-4-3) in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Anaheim Ducks, saving 24 of 27 shots (.889 SV%). Despite the lack of results, Greaves has undoubtedly been the more reliable Blue Jackets' goalie this season and will return to the crease for a sixth straight game on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. The 24-year-old Greaves has a solid 2.50 GAA and .911 SV% in his last 13 games (5-4-4). That said, the Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as slight +104 home underdogs against a red-hot Wild team that has outscored its opposition 23-7 during a five-game winning streak.

Eichel was absent from practice on Tuesday due to an illness, but was originally expected to be ready to play on Wednesday. The 29-year-old Eichel ultimately ended up missing his first game of the season and the Golden Knights' Head Coach Bruce Cassidy gave the impression that he may ending up missing more than just the one game. Vegas returns to action on Saturday against the Calgary Flames.

Warren made his NHL debut earlier this season and tallied two assists in two games with New York. The 24-year-old defenseman has spent most of the season in the AHL, where he has 12 points (3G / 9A) in 17 games with the Bridgeport Islanders.

The Sabres' three-goalie rotation is, at least temporarily, down to two with Colten Ellis (concussion) sidelined. As such, Lyon will return to the crease on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 33-year-old Lyon is on a hot run lately, winning three straight while posting a solid 2.05 GAA and .925 SV%. He has a 2.99 GAA and .905 SV5 through 17 appearances this season (6-6-3). The Sabres enter the action on Thursday as -137 home favourites against a Flyers team with points in five straight games (2-0-3).

Lauzon has not played since November 15th, but is set to return to the Golden Knights lineup after practicing the last two days. The 28-year-old is in his first season in Vegas and has four assists, 28 PIMs and a +3 plus/minus in 17 games before his injury.

Allen will make his 17th start of the season when the Devils travel to Vegas on Wednesday. Allen was victorious in his last start, allowing just one goal on 31 shots in a 4-1 win over the Ducks on Saturday. The 35-year-old netminder owns a 9-7-0 record and .907 SV% on the season. Allen and the Devils enter action on Wednesday at +140 on the money line.

Cholowski will take a seat on Wednesday in order to make room for the return of Brett Pesce (upper-body). Cholowski has appeared in 15 games this season, logging zero goals and one assist.

Jost will take a seat on Wednesday in order to make way for the return of Cole Smith (upper-body). Jost has 2 goals and 3 assists in 23 games this season.

The Jets went 3-8-1 in 12 games with Hellebuyck sidelined due to a knee injury, but have collected at least a point in both games since his return (1-0-1). The 32-year-old Hellebuyck has been solid between the pipes, as per usual, posting a 2.44 GAA and .915 SV% in 16 games (9-6-1). The Jets enter the action on Wednesday as -132 road favorites against a St. Louis Blues team that has been outscored 19-9 in their last four games (1-3-0).

Smith has not played since November 1st, tending to an upper-body injury, but will finally return to Nashville's lineup on Wednesday. Before his injury, the 30-year-old forward had three goals in 13 games.

The Predators will turn to Saros between the pipes for the 26th time this season when they host the Hurricanes on Wednesday. Saros secured a third consecutive victory in his last start, allowing just two goals on 22 shots in a 5-2 win in St. Louis on Monday. Nashville's franchise netminder carries a 12-10-3 record and .897 SV% into Wednesday night's game against Carolina, where the Preds enter action at +150 on the money line.

Pesce has not played since suffering an upper-body injury on October 26th, but will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 30-year-old defenseman has been a stabilizing force on New Jersey's blueline when healthy, averaging 19:39 time-on-ice and scoring three points (0G / 3A) in nine games.

Gritsyuk has not played the last two games due to an upper-body injury and will seemingly miss at least the next two while the Devils are on a road trip. The 24-year-old Gritsyuk's introduction to the NHL this season has been a positive one, tallying 16 points (7G / 9A) through 31 games while playing a middle-six role.

Vejmelka will return to the crease for the Mammoth on Wednesday after getting the night off in Monday's loss to the Avalanche. The 29-year-old netminder was fortunate to come away with the victory in his last start, securing a 5-4 overtime win in Pittsburgh on Sunday despite making just 12 saves on 16 shots. Vejmelka brings a 14-9-2 record and .891 SV% into Wednesday night's matchup, where the Mammoth enter action at +105 on the money line.