Samuelsson had two goals, eight assists, 76 SOG, 20 PIMs and a +14 plus/minus through 55 games but will not play Thursday vs. Ottawa in the Sabres' season finally. The 23-year-old puts the cap on a fairly successful third NHL season, which saw him play a career-high in games while putting up career goal and point totals as well.
Swayman stopped 34 of 37 shots (.919 SV%) for his seventh-straight win as he beat the Philadelphia Flyers in his previous start. The 24-year-old has been the league's best backup netminder this season, with his 23-6-4 record, 2.21 GAA and .922 SV%. He will take on the Montreal Canadiens, who have lost six of their last seven games and are 26th in the NHL in goals per game (2.75).
Irwin has two goals, three assists, 78 SOG, 36 PIMs and a -9 plus/minus through 60 games this season and will be a game-time decision Thursday due to an undisclosed injury. The 35-year-old had just reached 60 games in a season for the first time since 2016-17.
Woll allowed three goals on 48 shots (.938 SV%) for his fifth-straight win as he picked up the win over Tampa Bay in his previous start. The 24-year-old has been phenomenal in his small showings this season, with his 5-1-0 record, 2.19 GAA and .933 SV%. He will take on the New York Rangers, who have won three of their last five contests and are 10th in the NHL in goals per game (3.35).
Mantha has missed the Capitals' previous three games due to a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision Thursday vs. New Jersey. The 28-year-old has struggled this season, with his 11 goals, 16 assists, 119 SOG, 31 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 67 games this season prior to his injury.
van Riemsdyk has missed the Capitals' previous five games due to an undisclosed injury but will be a game-time decision Thursday vs. New Jersey. The 31-year-old is having a career season in 2022-23, with his seven goals, 16 assists, 97 SOG, 15 PIMs and a +10 plus/minus through 75 games this season.
Ovechkin missed the Capitals' previous three games due to an upper-body injury and will be a game-time decision Thursday vs. New Jersey. The 37-year-old is day-to-day with the injury and has 42 goals, 32 assists, 290 SOG and a -14 plus/minus through 72 games played this season prior to his injury.
Svozil had 11 goals, 67 assists, 24 PIMs and a +27 plus/minus through 56 games with the Regina Pats (WHL) and will make his NHL debut Thursday vs. Pittsburgh. The 20-year-old was Columbus' 2021 third-round pick (69th overall).
Pyyhtia had three goals in six games with Cleveland (AHL) after coming over from TPS (Liiga) earlier in the season and will make his NHL debut Thursday vs. Pittsburgh. The 21-year-old was Columbus' 2020 fourth-round pick (114th overall).
Knazko had a goal, 20 assists, 17 PIMs and a -13 plus/minus through 49 games this season with Cleveland (AHL) and is expected to make his NHL debut Thursday. The 20-year-old was the Blue Jackets' 2020 third-round pick (78th overall).
Angle had 11 goals, 12 assists, 28 PIMs and a -12 plus/minus through 65 games played with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) and will make his NHL debut Thursday vs. Pittsburgh. The 22-year-old was a star with the Windsor Spitfires and was the Blue Jackets' 2019 seventh-overall pick (212th overall).
Hutchinson allowed four goals on 39 shots (.897 SV%) for his sixth-straight loss as he took the hard-luck loss in overtime vs. Philadelphia last start. The 33-year-old has been hung out to dry in Columbus, leading to historically bad numbers in his 1-6-3 record, 4.45 GAA and .871 SV%. He will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins, who were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs on Wednesday night and are fifth in the NHL in shots per game (34.4).
Elliott allowed six goals on 39 shots (.846 SV%) for his third-straight loss as he was handed the loss by the Ottawa Senators in his last start. The 38-year-old has struggled as the Lightning's backup this season, with his 11-8-2 record, 3.56 GAA and .886 SV%. He takes on the Detroit Red Wings, who are in the midst of a four-game losing skid and are 29th in the NHL in shots (28.2).
Oettinger stopped 13 of 14 shots (.923 SV%) for his third-straight win in his previous start vs. Detroit. The 24-year-old has been sensational with his second 30+ win season, posting a 36-11-11 record, 2.41 GAA and .918 SV%. He will take on the St. Louis Blues, who have lost their last two games and are only 27th in the NHL in goals per game (28.6).
Kuemper allowed two goals on 40 shots (.950 SV%) in his previous start to snap a five-game losing drought as he beat the New York Islanders. The 32-year-old has had an up-and-down first season in Washington, with his 22-26-6 record, 2.83 GAA and .910 SV%. He will take on the New Jersey Devils, who have won three of their last four games and are fifth in the NHL in goals (3.51).
Anderson allowed six goals on 20 shots (.700 SV%) for his second-straight loss as he was defeated by the Nashville Predators in his previous start. The 41-year-old may potentially be making the final start of his impressive career, taking his 10-11-2 record, .908 SV% and 3.07 GAA into game 82. He will take on the Ottawa Senators, who have won their last two contests and are seventh in the NHL in shots per game (33.5).
Lyon allowed two goals on 25 shots (.920 SV%) to snap a five-game winning streak as he was narrowly defeated by the Toronto Maple Leafs in overtime in his previous start. The 30-year-old veteran has enjoyed an incredible last few weeks as he propelled the Panthers into the playoffs with his 9-3-2 overall record, .916 SV% and 2.80 GAA. He takes on the Carolina Hurricanes, who just snapped a three-game losing skid with a 4-1 victory over Detroit last game.
Lindgren was forced to leave his previous start after 45:21 TOI due to an undisclosed injury and is expected to be out for the Capitals' finale Thursday. The 29-year-old had just watched his save percentage drop below .900 for the first time all season and will likely end the year with a 13-11-3 record, 3.05 GAA and .899 SV%.
Hofer allowed five goals on 17 shots (.706 SV%) for the worst start of his career in his previous time between the pipes as he took the no decision to Los Angeles after being pulled after 15:50 TOI. The 22-year-old was incredibly solid in his previous short showing with St. Louis, picking up a 3-0-1 record, 2.79 GAA and .915 SV%. He will take on the Dallas Stars, who have won four-straight games and are seventh in the NHL in goals per game (3.44).
