Boqvist will head to the press box on Thursday as a healthy scratch as Andrew Peeke takes his spot in the Blue Jackets lineup. The 23-year-old offensive defenseman has struggled to catch his footing all season as he's battled multiple injuries which has led to a disappointing one goal, eight points and -8 plus/minus through 28 games this season.
Peeke last appeared for the Blue Jackets on January 30th but will make his first appearance in nearly a month as he replaces Adam Boqvist on Columbus' blue line Thursday. The 25-year-old has yet to score this season but has six assists, 21 SOG and a -4 plus/minus in the 20 games that he has dressed.
Tarasov will get his first start in three games on Thursday after yielding the crease to Elvis Merzlikins for the Blue Jackets' previous two games. The 24-year-old has struggled for a second-straight season as his .887 SV% is the fourth worst among starters with nine or more games played which has resulted in his ugly 4-7-2 record and 3.65 GAA. He will take on the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, who have won five of their last seven games and are seventh in the NHL in shots per game (32.6).
Grushnikov was a second-round pick (No.48 overall) of the Stars in 2021. The 20-year-old Russian defenseman turned pro at the end of his 2023 season with the Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL) and has five points (1G / 4A) in 45 AHL games since. He was acquired via trade on Wednesday in a move that saw Chris Tanev dealt to the Dallas Stars.
Jarry will return to the crease on Thursday searching for his fourth straight victory. The 28-year-old Jarry saved 32 of 35 shots (.914 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. He has a 2.57 GAA and .912 SV% through 39 games this season (17-17-4). The Penguins enter action as +104 road underdogs against the Seattle Kraken.
Jakub Lauko will draw back into the Bruins lineup on Thursday, resulting in Richard being scratched and ultimately sent down to the Providence Bruins (AHL). Richard scored three points (1G / 2A) while playing the last nine games for the Bruins.
Jarry will likely return to the crease on Thursday searching for his fourth straight victory. The 28-year-old Jarry saved 32 of 35 shots (.914 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. He has a 2.57 GAA and .912 SV% through 39 games this season (17-17-4). The Penguins enter action as +104 road underdogs against the Seattle Kraken.
Swayman will return to the crease on Thursday for a Bruins team amid a three-game losing skid. Swayman allowed three goals on 39 shots (.923 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks in his last outing and has allowed three or more goals in five of his last six (2-3-1). That said, the Bruins are -158 home favourites against the Vegas Golden Knights, who defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-2 on Tuesday.
Kartye has been in and out of the lineup the last month and will return to the lineup on Thursday, replacing Andre Burakovsky (undisclosed). The 22-year-old Kartye has 15 points (8G / 7A) in his rookie season (53 games) but has been held off the scoresheet in the last seven games.
Burakovsky did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday due to an undisclosed injury. He played 18:15 time-on-ice in Seattle's last outing, a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins, recording one assist and two shots on goal. He has three points (0G / 3A) in his last four games after being held without a point in seven games straight.
Texier has points in only one of his last seven games, a two-point outing (0G / 2A) on February 21st against the Anaheim Ducks. Texier has most recently been playing on the fourth line with Sean Kuraly and Mathieu Oliver.
Demko will start for the fifth straight game as the Cancuks are mired in a stretch with only one win in their last seven outings. Demko allowed four goals on 40 shots (.900 SV%) in a 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday and has allowed four goals in three of his last five outings (2-2-1). The Canucks enter action as -144 home favourites against a Los Angeles Kings club that has lost three of their last four (1-3-0).
Vlasic has not played the last two games due to an upper-body injury but could return to the lineup on Thursday night against the Anaheim Ducks. The 36-year-old defender was quietly productive before his injury, scoring four points (3G / 1A) in his last seven games, his most productive seven-game stretch since the 2018-19 season.
Demko will likely start for the fifth straight game as the Cancuks are mired in a stretch with only one win in their last seven outings. Demko allowed four goals on 40 shots (.900 SV%) in a 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday and has allowed four goals in three of his last five outings (2-2-1). The Canucks enter action as -144 home favourites against a Los Angeles Kings club that has lost three of their last four (1-3-0).
Johnson has struggled offensively this season, highlighted by a 12-game stretch with only one point (0G / 1A) while averaging over 13 minutes of ice time. He will be out of the lineup indefinitely with an upper-body injury.
Grubauer has started two of the last three games and appeared in relief in the other. Grubauer's return from injury and Joey Daccord's decline in play have directly correlated, with Grubauer seizing the opportunity, posting a .929 SV% and 3-0-0 record since his return. Seattle is a slight -115 home favourite against a Pittsburgh Penguins club that has scored 15 goals in their last three games (3-0-0).
Saros has been terrific lately and is expected to return to the crease on Thursday evening. The talented netminder has allowed two or fewer goals in each contest while riding a four-game winning streak, including saving 24 of 25 shots (.960 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. The Predators enter action as -116 home favourites in a divisional matchup against the Minnesota Wild.
Despite losing his last three starts, Colorado has become more comfortable rolling with Annunen between the pipes. That said, he played well in his last outing, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Annunen draws a favourable matchup on Thursday as the Avalanche are sizeable -270 road favourites against the bottom-dwelling Chicago Blackhawks.
Dakota Mermis will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Bogosian to make his return from a three-game absence due to a concussion. Before his injury, Bogosian had one assist, 13 shots, 13 hits, and 19 penalty minutes in nine games.
Zach Bogosian will be returning from a concussion on Thursday, prompting Minnesota to make Mermis a healthy scratch. Mermis has a -3 plus/minus, three shots, four hits, and one goal in his last four games.
