NHL Hockey Player News

Vejmelka allowed five goals on 37 shots (.865 SV%) for his second-straight loss as he was defeated by Florida in his previous start. The 26-year-old has been incredibly solid for the offensively challenged Coyotes, with his 11-11-4 record, 3.23 GAA and .906 SV%. He will face Philadelphia Thursday, who is in the middle of a three-game winning streak with a 4-1 win over Anaheim last game.

Kuemper allowed five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) for his second straight loss as he was downed by Buffalo in his last start. The 32-year-old has been incredibly solid in his first season in Washington, with his 10-9-4 record, .916 SV% and 2.58 GAA. He takes on a struggle Columbus team, who has lost seven of their last eight contests after a 4-0 loss to Ottawa last game.

Jones stopped 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) for his second straight win as he beat Edmonton in his previous start. The 32-year-old is top six in the NHL in wins with his 16-5-3 record but has horrendous numbers with his .890 SV% and 2.92 GAA. He draws the tough task of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who lost their last game 6-5 in the shootout to St. Louis but are seventh in the NHL in goals per game (3.42).

Binnington allowed five goals on 25 shots (.800 SV%) yet still picked up the win in a victory over Toronto in his last game. The 29-year-old has not been his sharpest this season, with his 14-12-3 record, 3.21 GAA and .892 SV%. He will face New Jersey, who is fifth in the NHL in shots (34.6) and eighth in goals (3.39).

Blackwood took a puck to the hand during morning practice and will be held out of the lineup for precautionary measures Thursday. The 26-year-old has been having a year to forget prior to yet another injury, with his 5-3-1 record, 3.05 GAA and .888 SV%.

Schmid was recalled Thursday after Mackenzie Blackwood left practice due to a hand injury. The 22-year-old was excellent in his first showing with the Devils earlier in the season, with a 5-3-0 record, .932 SV% and 1.96 GAA.

Palat has not played since Oct. 24th due to a groin injury but will return to the Devils' lineup Thursday as they take on the Blues. Prior to his injury, the 31-year-old had three goals, eight SOG and a -1 plus/minus rating.

Tierney had two goals, three points, three SOG and a +1 plus/minus rating through five games previously with the Panthers in his last stint with the club. In 20 games with Charlotte (AHL) he had three goals, 16 points, 10 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus.

Thompson failed to pick up a point in limited minutes across two games for the Devils and will head back to the Utica Comets (AHL) Thursday. Prior to his time in New Jersey, he had six goals, 13 points, six PIMS and a -6 plus/minus through 22 games with Utica.

Moverare will be recalled to the Kings for the second time this season after failing to collect a point in two games in his previous stint with the club. In 20 games with Ontario (AHL), he has five assists, 25 PIMs and a -6 plus/minus.

Dowd has 10 goals, 17 points, 38 SOG, 18 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus through 39 games but will miss his first contest of the year as he heads away from the team for the birth of his child.

Noesen has eight goals, 20 points, 75 SOG, 17 PIMs and a +5 plus/minus through 37 games with the Hurricanes but will miss his first contest of the year Thursday as he deals with a lower-body injury. He is considered day-to-day for the time being.

Pacioretty has yet to play a game in 2022-23 due to surgery to repair a torn Achilles in the offseason but had been activated from the injured non-roster list Wednesday and will make his season debut Thursday. The 34-year-old was acquired by the Hurricanes in the offseason after a 19-goal, 18-assist season in 39 games with Vegas in 2021-22.

Kochetkov allowed four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%) to snap a five-game winning streak as he was defeated by the New York Rangers his last time out. The rookie netminder has been phenomenal this season, with his 10-2-4 record, .924 SV% and 2.08 GAA. He draws a good matchup with the Nashville Predators, who rank 27th in the NHL in goals per game (2.72) and 28th in powerplay percentage (17.9).

Grundstrom has six goals, four assists, 53 SOG, 14 PIMs and a -7 plus/minus across 36 games played but will, unfortunately, be the odd man out and a healthy scartch as Brandon Lemieux returns to the Kings lineup.

Lemieux missed the Kings' previous three games as a healthy scratch but will draw back into the lineup Thursday as the team takes on Boston. The 26-year-old has three assists, 15 SOG and 34 PIMs through 17 games so far this season.

Pettersson has 11 assists, 47 SOG, 19 PIMs and a +4 plus/minus through 37 games this season but will be a game-time decision Thursday vs. Vegas as he deals with an undisclosed injury. The Penguins should provide an update as the teams heads on the ice for warmups.