NHL Hockey Player News

Orlov has missed five straight due to an upper-body injury but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 33-year-old defenseman is averaging 19:42 time-on-ice, recording 24 points (4G / 20A), 49 blocks, and 80 hits in 62 games this season.

Svechnikov has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury and will miss a fourth on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 24-year-old Svechnikov is averaging 17:29 time-on-ice and has 43 points (18G / 25A) in 63 games this season.

Karlsson has not played since January 20th due to a lower-body injury but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. The 32-year-old Karlsson is averaging 17:11 time-on-ice and has 18 points (7G / 11A) in 38 games this season. Before his injury, Karlsson only had one point (0G / 1A) in his last 12 games.

The Jets are coming off a disappointing 6-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks when Hellebuyck allowed five goals on 21 shots (.762 SV%). Hellebuyck will return to the crease on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers, looking to build on a terrific 2.05 GAA and .924 SV% through 53 games this season (39-10-3). The Jets enter Thursday's contest as slight +104 road underdogs against an Oilers club outscoring their opposition 12-3 during a three-game winning streak.

Benson is battling an illness and will not play on Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 19-year-old forward is averaging 14:35 time-on-ice and has 23 points (10G / 13A) in 60 games this season.

The Sabres will somewhat surprisingly turn to Reimer between the pipes when they travel to Utah on Thursday. Reimer's last start came on March 3rd, when he allowed four goals on 20 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss in Montreal. The 36-year-old netminder owns a 2-5-2 record and a .903 SV% across 11 appearances this season. Reimer and the Sabres enter action on Thursday at +150 on the money line.

Oilers' head coach Kris Knoblauch made it clear the team's main priority is having Leon Draisaitl healthy for the playoffs, which could potentially limit his usage down the stretch. The 29-year-old Draisaitl is averaging 21:39 time-on-ice and has 101 points (49G / 52A) in 68 games this season. He had a career-high 55 goals in the 2021-22 season.

Kylington is yet to appear in a game since being acquired from the Islanders for future considerations on March 7th. Kylington will slot in for Nikita Nesterenko (undisclosed), as the Ducks will opt to dress seven defenceman on Thursday.

Nesterenko showed no signs of an injury in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Dallas Stars, scoring a goal in 13:08 time-on-ice, but he will miss Thursday's game against the Nashville Predators. The 23-year-old Nesterenko is averaging 10:28 time-on-ice and has four points (3G / 1A) in 10 games this season.

The Predators have been outscored 7-2 in their last three games (0-2-1) and will turn to Annunen between the pipes on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 25-year-old Annunen was excellent in his most recent outing but didn't receive any goal support, saving 20 of 21 shots (.952 SV%) in a 1-0 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings. He has a 2.93 GAA and .900 SV% in 15 games with the Predators this season (8-5-1). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as -166 home favorites against a Ducks squad coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars.

Husso was sent down to create room on the roster for John Gibson's return from a lower-body injury. Husso has an 1-6-2 record and an .874 SV% in 11 games split between the Ducks and Red Wings this season.

Utah HC is coming off a disappointing 7-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, where Vejmelka was pulled after allowing three goals on 15 shots (.800 SV%). Still, he will return to the crease on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 28-year-old Czech goalie has a 2.50 GAA and .908 SV% in 45 appearances this season (19-18-6). Utah enters Thursday's contest as -171 home favorites against a Sabres team riding a two-game winning streak.

Garland was a game-time decision on Thursday after missing Tuesday's game against the Jets with an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old Garland is averaging 18:46 time-on-ice and has 41 points (17G / 24A) in 67 games this season. He had a career-high 52 points (19G / 33A) with the Canucks in the 2021-22 season.

Romanov is battling an illness and will miss a second consecutive game. The 25-year-old Romanov is averaging 22:46 time-on-ice, recording 18 points (4G / 14A), 120 hits, and 138 blocks in 52 games this season.

Middleton will slot in for Samuel Girard, who was a late scratch due to a lower-body injury. Middleton will likely skate alongside Erik Johnson on the team's third pair.

The Canucks are coming off an impressive 6-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets, where Lankinen saved 19 of 21 shots (.905 SV%), and he will return to the crease on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. The 29-year-old Lankinen has a 2.53 GAA and .904 SV% in 44 games this season. The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as +128 road underdogs against a Blue squad outscoring their opposition 16-4 during a three-game winning streak.

Girard was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with the team only announcing his absence minutes before puck drop. Keaton Middleton will draw into the lineup in his place.