NHL Hockey Player News

Mrazek will likely return to the crease on Friday, his third straight start, being rewarded for a heroic performance in their last game. On Tuesday, Mrazek was sensational, saving 35 of 37 shots (.946 SV%), holding down the fort and shutting down the Colorado Avalanche en route to a 3-2 victory. Mrazek has fared well this season for the league's fourth-worst defensive team (3.55 GA / GP), posting a 3.04 GAA and .909 SV% through 20 appearances while tallying a respectable .556 quality start percentage. In a rare occurrence on Friday, the Blackhawks are slight -110 home favourites against a Montreal Canadiens team that played last night, losing 4-3 to the Minnesota Wild in overtime.

Quick has turned back time this season, grossly outplayed Igor Shesterkin, and will likely start for the Rangers on the front end of a back-to-back on Friday. The 37-year-old Quick has been nearly unbeatable this season, winning his last seven starts while posting a serviceable .916 SV%. Quick's 2.09 GAA and .926 SV% surpass anything he has ended the season with throughout his illustrious career. The Rangers will look for their fourth straight win as -116 home favourites against an Oilers team that snapped a three-game skid last night, courtesy of a 6-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils.

Kulich has only played one game with the Sabres this season, spending most of his time with the Rochester Americans of the AHL, where he has 22 points (16G / 6A) in 23 games. The Sabres' 28th overall pick from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft has been reassigned to the Czech National Junior Team and will participate in the World Junior Tournament for the third straight year.

Perron forfeited $148,437.48 in salary for his six-game suspension and will return to the lineup on Friday, playing his first game since December 9th. At Friday's morning skate, he practiced on the third line with Michael Rasmussen and Andrew Copp. Perron has seven goals and six assists in 26 games with the Red Wings this season.

Reimer will likely start on Friday, the front end of a back-to-back, his third straight start since Ville Husso and Alex Lyon have been unable to suit up due to injuries. Reimer has a .888 SV% while being winless in his last eight appearances (0-5-2) and has not had a quality start since November 2nd. The Red Wings have faced struggles regardless of who is between the pipes, as they have lost four straight (0-4-0) and seven of their last eight (1-6-1). That said, they are -123 home favourites against a Flyers team that defeated them 1-0 less than a week ago and is coming off a 4-2 loss to the Nashville Predators last night.

Smith will get a chance to play on the Sharks' fourth line on Thursday alongside Justin Bailey and Jack Studnicka. Smith has one goal and two assists in 25 games this season.

Barabanov will take a seat on Thursday as Givani Smith slides back into the Sharks' lineup. Barabanov has one goal and four assists in 14 games this season.

Vlasic will be the odd-man out on Thursday as Jan Rutta (illness) is set to return to the Sharks' lineup.

Rutta did not play on Tuesday due to an illness and was be a game-time decision on Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes. He has five points (0G / 5A) in 26 games while averaging 18:56 time-on-ice.

Addison did not play on Tuesday, missing his first game since joining the Sharks earlier this year due to a lower-body injury, and was a game-time decision on Thursday. In 19 games with the Sharks, Addison has six points (1G / 5A), averaging 18:03 time-on-ice, including significant powerplay deployment.

Markstrom was excellent in his return from a fractured finger on Monday, surrendering just a single goal on 34 shots enroute to a 3-1 victory over the Panthers. It was one of the finest starts of the season for Markstrom, who now owns a .901 SV% and a 7-8-2 record on the year. He's in a great spot to keep things rolling on Thursday with the Flames being sizable favourites at -190 in Anaheim.

McTavish has missed the last seven games for the Ducks but will return to action on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. Before his injury, McTavish was held without a point in four straight games, recording a -7 plus/minus and six shots on goal.

Drysdale has not played since October 15th due to a lower-body injury but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. Drysdale has struggled to stay healthy during his young NHL career, but the 21-year-old has 42 points (7G / 35A) in 115 career games and has the offensive pedigree that could make him a staple on the powerplay for the Ducks.

Jones will take a seat on Thursday as Cale Makar is set to return from an upper-body injury. Jones has no goals and three assists in 15 games this season.

Korpisalo will start for the second time in as many games under interim head coach Jacques Martin when the Senators travel to Colorado on Thursday. Korpisalo was on the losing end of Tuesday's game in Arizona, allowing four goals on 38 shots in the 4-3 defeat. He owns an underwhelming .892 SV% and a 3.54 GAA to go along with his 6-10-0 record on the season. Things won't get any easier for Korpisalo on Thursday, with the Senators being +140 underdogs in Denver.

Georgiev allowed three goals on 22 shots (.864 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday but will return to the crease for his third straight start on Thursday. Georgiev has a below-.500 rating over his last seven outings (2-3-1), posting an unimpressive .889 SV%. The 27-year-old netminder's quality of play has significantly worsened from his stellar 2022-23 campaign when he finished the season with a 2.53 GAA and .918 SV% in 62 games (40-16-6). That said, the Avalanche are sizeable -160 home favourites against the Ottawa Senators, who are losers of five straight.

Makar has struggled to stay in the lineup lately, playing only four of the last nine games for Colorado, and was a game-time decision after being a full participant at practice on Thursday. Makar is among the league leaders for defensemen, scoring 37 points (8G / 29A) in 27 games this season.

Lucchini was a late addition to Thursday's lineup after Ryan Hartman was deemed unable to go due to an upper-body injury. Lucchini had nine goals, 20 points, six PIMs and a -6 plus/minus in 24 games with Iowa (AHL) and was recalled to Minnesota for the first time this season on Thursday on emergency conditions. The 28-year-old left-winger last appeared in the NHL for his one and only season in 2022-23 and had a goal, 14 SOG, and a -2 plus/minus in 11 games played.

Hunt will sit in favour of Dakota Mermis on Thursday after playing in each of the Wild's last three games. Hunt has no goals and one assist in eight games this season.