Johnson did not play in Tuesday's 9-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the Maple Leafs. In his last two games, Johnson is averaging 11:50 time-on-ice, has a -1 plus/minus, and two hits.
Vasilevskiy had his shutout bid spoiled with just over four minutes remaining in Tuesday's 6-1 victory of the St. Louis Blues and will likely return to the crease for his sixth straight start on Thursday. The 29-year-old netminder has been slightly inconsistent since returning for off-season back surgery but has shown more good than bad lately, posting an impressive .925 SV% across his last seven games (5-2-0). Tampa Bay is a -113 home favourite on Thursday against a Vegas Golden Knights team that has lost two of three (1-2-0), allowing 4.7 goals per game.
Tristan Jarry has been solid most of the season but has taken a back seat lately to Nedeljkovic, who will likely start for the third time in the last four games. Nedeljkovic has won each of his last two starts, saving 63 of 69 shots (.913 SV%). In his first season with the Penguins, Nedeljkovic is sporting an impressive 2.58 GAA and .925 SV% through eight games (4-2-1). The Penguins are +119 home underdogs on Thursday against a Carolina Hurricanes team that is coming off a convincing 6-3 win against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Sergachev exited Tuesday's 6-1 win over the St. Louis Blues in the first period after playing only 4:31 time-on-ice with a lower-body injury. He was seen at the practice facility working on his stick handling but did not participate in on-ice drills as he avoided putting weight on his left foot. That said, the worst seems to have been avoided and he will only miss 1-2 games. Sergachev has taken a decreased role this year after a career-best 2022-23 campaign where he scored 64 points (10G / 54A) in 79 games, but still has 19 points (2G / 17A) and ranks second amongst all players, averaging 22:59 time-on-ice through 33 games this season.
Bobrovsky had the night off in the Panthers' last contest but will return to the crease on Thursday evening. In his last game, Bobrovsky had a heroic 38-save performance (.974 SV%), allowing only one goal in a 5-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Through 23 games this season (14-8-1), Bobrovsky has a 2.49 GAA and .911 SV%. The Panthers are sizeable -200 home favourites against the St. Louis Blues, who were embarrassed by the Tampa Bay Lighting on Wednesday, being severely outplayed and losing 6-1.
Schmid has started three of the last five games for the Devils and will likely start again on Thursday after spending the first portion of the season as the clear backup to Vitek Vanecek. Since taking on a larger role in late November, Schmid has a 4-4-0 record while posting a .905 SV%, a vast improvement over the .885 SV% he sported in the six games leading up to it (1-3-1). The Devils have a challenging matchup on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers but are still -111 home favourites despite losing to them 4-1 less than two weeks ago.
The Sabres will hope Levi can erase a forgettable Tuesday night performance from his memory as the rookie goaltender was amid a terrific stretch leading up to it. On Tuesday, Levi was pulled after allowing four goals on 18 shots (.778 SV%) in an eventual 9-4 loss at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets. He had won three of four (3-0-1) leading up to that contest, allowing two or fewer goals in each, posting a sparkling .942 SV%. The Sabres are +127 road underdogs against a Toronto Maple Leafs team that is 6-1-3 in their last 10.
Marc Staal will draw back into the lineup in favour of Zamula, who has played five of the last six games for the Flyers. Through 23 games this season, Zamula has four points (1G / 3A), 31 blocks, and 10 hits while averaging 15:20 time-on-ice.
Egor Zamula will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Staal to draw back into the lineup. The veteran Staal played 17:12 in his last contest, well above his season average of 13:56, recording two hits and blocking one shot in the process.
Ersson has won three consecutive games and will start for a fifth straight time on Thursday night against the Nashville Predators. Ersson has been tremendous lately, helping his team collect at least a point in eight consecutive outings (7-0-1), allowing three or fewer goals in each, and posting a tremendous .930 SV%. The surprising Flyers, 7-0-2 in their last nine, are -119 home favourites against the Predators, who have scored only three combined goals in their last two games (1-1-0).
Bobrovsky had the night off in the Panthers' last contest but will likely return to the crease on Thursday evening. In his last game, Bobrovsky had a heroic 38-save performance (.974 SV%), allowing only one goal in a 5-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Through 23 games this season (14-8-1), Bobrovsky has a 2.49 GAA and .911 SV%. The Panthers are sizeable -200 home favourites against the St. Louis Blues, who were embarrassed by the Tampa Bay Lighting on Wednesday, being severely outplayed and losing 6-1.
Bellemare left the Kraken's game Monday vs. Dallas after just 4:10 TOI due to a broken bone in his leg and is now expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks. The 38-year-old French veteran left-winger had enjoyed a productive start to his 2023-24 season, with four goals, one assist, 25 SOG and a six PIMs in 29 games played prior to his injury.
