NHL Hockey Player News

Skinner stopped 28 of 29 shots for his fifth-straight victory as he picked up a massive win over the Colorado Avalanche in his previous start. The 24-year-old Edmonton native has made a strong case for Calder Trophy consideration this season, with his 28-14-5 record, 2.76 GAA and .914 SV%. He takes on the San Jose Sharks, who are in the middle of a five-game losing skid and are 25th in the NHL in goals per game (2.85).

Rittich allowed four goals on 24 shots (.833 SV%) for his fourth-straight loss as he was beaten by the Carolina Hurricanes his last time out. The 30-year-old Jets' backup has had a very mediocre season in Winnipeg, with his 9-7-1 record, 2.65 GAA and .902 SV%. He takes on the Colorado Avalanche, who just had a five-game winning streak snapped with a. 2-1 loss to Edmonton in their previous game.

Pettersson has not played since March 18th due to a lower-body injury and is expected to return to the Penguins' lineup Thursday vs. Columbus. The 26-year-old had a goal, 23 assists, 95 SOG, 58 PIMs and a +4 plus/minus through 67 games prior to his injury.

O'Connor has missed the Penguins' previous two games with an upper-body injury but is expected back in the Penguins' lineup Thursday vs. Columbus. The 24-year-old had five goals, six assists, 61 SOG, 12 PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 45 games prior to his injury.

Jarry stopped 22 of 25 shots (.880 SV%) to snap a two-game winning streak with a loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in his previous start. The 27-year-old has had an up-and-down injury-filled year, with his 24-13-6 record, .909 SV% and 2.90 GAA. He takes on the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have four players making their NHL debuts and have lost four-straight games prior to Thursday.

Larkin missed the Red Wings' previous contest due to a lower-body injury but is a game-time decision Thursday vs. Tampa Bay. The 26-year-old has 32 goals, 47 assists, 241 SOG, 45 PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through 79 games this season prior to his injury.

Husso was pulled after allowing three goals on five shots (.400 SV%) in just 12:10 TOI for his third-straight loss as Dallas rocked him in his previous start. The 28-year-old started the year off strong but has greatly fizzled out recently, leading to his 26-21-7 record, .896 SV% and 3.09 GAA. He takes on the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are in the middle of a four-game losing skid but are still eighth in the NHL in goals per game (3.4).

Marner missed Toronto's previous game due to rest related reasons but will draw back into Toronto's lineup for game 82 as he attempts to reach the century mark in points for the first time in his seven-year career. The 25-year-old has 30 goals, 69 assists, 195 SOG, 28 PIMs and a +18 plus/minus through 79 games this season.

Matthews missed the Maple Leafs' previous game due to rest-related reasons but will draw back into the lineup for Toronto's final game Thursday. The 25-year-old is currently sitting on 40 goals, 45 assists, 324 SOG, 20 PIMs and a +31 plus/minus through 73 games this season.

Tavares has 36 goals, 44 assists, 277 SOG, 34 PIMs and a -7 plus/minus through 80 games but is not expected to play on Thursday due to personal reasons. The 32-year-old just reached 80 points for the first time since 2018-19.

Nosek has seven goals, 11 assists, 69 SOG, 48 PIMs and a +9 plus/minus through 66 games this season but will not play Thursday vs. Montreal due to illness. The 30-year-old tied his career high in points (30 pts) with a two-point performance in the Bruins' last game.

Samuelsson had two goals, eight assists, 76 SOG, 20 PIMs and a +14 plus/minus through 55 games but will not play Thursday vs. Ottawa in the Sabres' season finally. The 23-year-old puts the cap on a fairly successful third NHL season, which saw him play a career-high in games while putting up career goal and point totals as well.

Swayman stopped 34 of 37 shots (.919 SV%) for his seventh-straight win as he beat the Philadelphia Flyers in his previous start. The 24-year-old has been the league's best backup netminder this season, with his 23-6-4 record, 2.21 GAA and .922 SV%. He will take on the Montreal Canadiens, who have lost six of their last seven games and are 26th in the NHL in goals per game (2.75).

Irwin has two goals, three assists, 78 SOG, 36 PIMs and a -9 plus/minus through 60 games this season and will be a game-time decision Thursday due to an undisclosed injury. The 35-year-old had just reached 60 games in a season for the first time since 2016-17.

Woll allowed three goals on 48 shots (.938 SV%) for his fifth-straight win as he picked up the win over Tampa Bay in his previous start. The 24-year-old has been phenomenal in his small showings this season, with his 5-1-0 record, 2.19 GAA and .933 SV%. He will take on the New York Rangers, who have won three of their last five contests and are 10th in the NHL in goals per game (3.35).

Mantha has missed the Capitals' previous three games due to a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision Thursday vs. New Jersey. The 28-year-old has struggled this season, with his 11 goals, 16 assists, 119 SOG, 31 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 67 games this season prior to his injury.

van Riemsdyk has missed the Capitals' previous five games due to an undisclosed injury but will be a game-time decision Thursday vs. New Jersey. The 31-year-old is having a career season in 2022-23, with his seven goals, 16 assists, 97 SOG, 15 PIMs and a +10 plus/minus through 75 games this season.

Ovechkin missed the Capitals' previous three games due to an upper-body injury and will be a game-time decision Thursday vs. New Jersey. The 37-year-old is day-to-day with the injury and has 42 goals, 32 assists, 290 SOG and a -14 plus/minus through 72 games played this season prior to his injury.

Svozil had 11 goals, 67 assists, 24 PIMs and a +27 plus/minus through 56 games with the Regina Pats (WHL) and will make his NHL debut Thursday vs. Pittsburgh. The 20-year-old was Columbus' 2021 third-round pick (69th overall).