Kovacevic has a goal, five assists, 48 SOG, and 20 PIMs across 44 games played but will be a healthy scratch Thursday as Montreal takes on Detroit. He will be replaced by Chris Wideman in the Canadiens' lineup.
Wideman has been a healthy scratch for the Canadiens' previous four games but will draw back into the lineup Thursday vs. the Red Wings. The 33-year-old has four assists, 24 SOG, 59 PIMs and a +5 plus/minus through 28 games this season.
Hellebuyck allowed two goals on 41 shots (.951 SV%) for his third loss in four games as he was beaten by Nashville in his previous start. The 29-year-old is a top candidate for the Vezina Trophy this season, with his 23-13-1 record, 2.38 GAA and .925 SV%. He takes on Buffalo, who have won their last four games after a 5-3 win over St. Louis last time out and are 1st in the entire NHL in goals per game (3.81).
Allen allowed four goals on 22 shots (.818) but snapped a seven-game losing streak with a victory over St. Louis in his previous start. The 32-year-old has struggled while starting all season, with his 10-16-1 record, 3.52 GAA and .892 SV%. He takes on the Detroit Red Wings, who won their last game 3-2 over San Jose in overtime but are 21st in the NHL in goals per game (3.04).
Saros stopped 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%) for his third win in four games as he beat Winnipeg in his previous start. The 27-year-old has kept the Predators in every game he's taken the crease for, leading to an impressive 18-13-5 record, .920 SV% and 2.70 GAA. He takes on the New Jersey Devils, who have won eight of their last nine games and are sixth in the NHL in goals per game (3.47).
Ullmark stopped all 17 of 17 shots (1.000 SV%) winning his eighth game in nine starts as he beat San Jose his last time between the pipes. Ullmark leads all goaltenders in the Vezina Trophy race this season, due to his incredibly impressive 25-2-1 record, 1.82 GAA and .938 SV%. He takes on the Tampa Bay Lightning, who snapped a two-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over Minnesota in their last game.
Hellebuyck allowed two goals on 41 shots (.951 SV%) for his third loss in four games as he was beaten by Nashville in his previous start. The 29-year-old is a top candidate for the Vezina Trophy this season, with his 23-13-1 record, 2.38 GAA and .925 SV%. He takes on Buffalo, who have won their last four games after a 5-3 win over St. Louis last time out and are 1st in the entire NHL in goals per game (3.81).
Kuemper allowed three goals on 26 shots (.885 SV%) for his second-straight loss as he was defeated by Colorado in his last start. The 32-year-old has been very solid in his first season in the Capital, with his 14-13-4 record, 2.57 GAA and .916 SV%. He will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins, who won their last game 7-6 over Florida and ranks 10th in the NHL in goals per game (3.28).
Fleury allowed three goals on 38 shots (.921 SV%) for his second-straight loss as he was defeated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in his previous start. The league's second-oldest netminder has shown his age this year, with his .903 SV%, 2.95 GAA and 14-10-3 record. He will take on the Philadelphia Flyers, who have lost three of their last four games after a 4-3 overtime loss to Los Angeles last game.
Wilson left the Capitals' previous game after blocking a shot 9:05 TOI into the game with a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision Thursday as Washington takes on Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old has two goals, one assist, 13 SOG, and a -7 plus/minus through eight games this season.
Carrier left the Predators' previous game vs. Winnipeg after just six shifts and 4:40 TOI due to an upper-body injury and will now miss 4-6 weeks due to an upper-body injury. The 26-year-old had two goals, six assists, 46 SOG, 25 PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 40 games prior to the injury.
Kuemper allowed three goals on 26 shots (.885 SV%) for his second-straight loss as he was defeated by Colorado in his last start. The 32-year-old has been very solid in his first season in the Capital, with his 14-13-4 record, 2.57 GAA and .916 SV%. He will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins, who won their last game 7-6 over Florida and ranks 10th in the NHL in goals per game (3.28).
Vasilevskiy stopped 33 of 35 shots (.943 SV%) to snap a two-game winning streak as he beat Minnesota in his previous start. The 28-year-old has led the NHL in wins in each of the last five seasons and is on pace to compete for the crown again as he is 21-12-1 with a 2.54 GAA and .917 SV%. He runs into the juggernaut that is the Boston Bruins, who have won 10 of their last 11 games after a 4-2 win over Montreal last game.
Hartman has five goals, nine assists, 64 SOG, 47 PIMs and a -2 plus/minus but will be a surprisingly healthy scratch Thursday vs. the Penguins after a few costly turnovers in the Wilds' previous game. The 28-year-old is just a year removed from a 34 goals, 31-assist season in 2021-22.
Mandolese has been recalled to his third level this season after seeing time early with the Allen Americans (ECHL) and then moving up to the Belleville Senators (AHL) before receiving his promotion to the Senators Thursday. The 22-year-old netminder struggled in Belleville, with his 4-6-2 record, .886 SV% and 3.39 GAA but got the call-up due to Cam Talbot leaving Wednesday's game with a lower-body injury.
Allen allowed four goals on 22 shots (.818) but snapped a seven-game losing streak with a victory over St. Louis in his previous start. The 32-year-old has struggled while starting all season, with his 10-16-1 record, 3.52 GAA and .892 SV%. He takes on the Detroit Red Wings, who won their last game 3-2 over San Jose in overtime but are 21st in the NHL in goals per game (3.04).
Andersen already missed a lengthy period of time this season, missing most of November and all of December and is dealing with another injury. It's unclear how long he's expected to be sidelined, but expect Pyotr Kochetkov to come up from the AHL to share the crease with Antti Raanta if he misses time.
Talbot suffered a lower-body injury in the second period of Wednesday's win over the Islanders and will miss at least one week. Kevin Mandolese was recalled from Belleville (AHL) and will serve as Anton Forsberg's backup moving forward.
