Verhaeghe missed Tuesday's contest due to an undisclosed injury and is expected to return to the Panthers' lineup Thursday after feeling better during practice. The 27-year-old will be a welcome addition back as he leads the Panthers in goals (15) and has 24 points in 29 games played.
It seems the bug that is going around the league has hit Boston as Hampus Lindholm will be a game-time decision, but will play Thursday vs. Los Angeles. Lindholm is on pace for career numbers this season after an incredibly hot start that saw his collect four goals, 20 points, 22 PIMs and a +20 plus/minus through 28 games so far this season
Kotchetkov stopped all 27 shots for his second straight shutout in a win over Detroit in his previous start. The 23-year-old has been incredible in replacing the injured Frederick Andersen, with his 7-1-4 record, 2.01 GAA, two shutouts and a .926 SV%. He will look to keep his shutout streak alive as he takes on Seattle, who have lost four of their last five games after a 6-2 loss to Tampa Bay in their last game.
Oettinger stopped 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) but snapped a two-game winning streak, handing Pittsburgh their sixth straight win in a loss in his last start. Oettinger has been very solid in his third NHL season, with his 11-4-3 record, two shutouts, .916 SV% and 2.49 GAA. He will face the Washington Capitals, who are in the middle of a five game winning streak.
Harpur had three goals, two assists, and 24 PIMs across 17 games with Hartford (AHL) and will make his New York Rangers debut Thursday vs. Toronto.
Shesterkin stopped 26 of 29 shots (.897 SV%) for his fourth straight victory as he beat New Jersey in his last start. Last season's Vezina Trophy winner has been solid again this year, with a 14-4-4 record, 2.52 GAA and .916 SV%. He will face the scorching hot Toronto Maple Leafs, who have won four straight and nine of their last 10 games.
Kravtsov has been a healthy scratch since Dec. 5th but will draw back into the lineup Thursday vs. Toronto. The 22-year-old, 2018 1st round pick (9th overall) has been a bit of a disappointment in his second season in the NHL, with a goal, an assist, seven SOG and six PIMs through 10 games so far.
Jarry stopped 27 of 28 shots (.963 SV%) as he picked up his fifth straight win with a victory over Dallas in his last start. The 27-year-old has been the league's hottest netminder as of late, which has led to his 13-3-3 record, 2.67 GAA and .920 SV%. He should face a lot of rubber tonight as he takes on the Florida Panthers, who lead the league in shots per game (37.4) and won their last outing 4-0 over Columbus.
Allen stopped 34 of 35 shots (.971 SV%) in a win over Calgary in one of his strongest starts of the season his last time out. The Canadiens' starter has been up and down this season, as shown by his 9-10-0 record, .901 SV% and 3.26 GAA. He draws the Anaheim Ducks, the league's coldest team, after a 7-0 loss to Toronto in their last game, having lost nine of their last ten contests.
Pitlick was a healthy scratch for the Canadiens' previous game but will draw back into the lineup Thursday. The 25-year-old has one goal, five shots and eight PIMs through 12 games while playing in Montreal's bottom six this season.
Pelech left the Islanders' game last Tuesday (Dec. 6th) after just 15:37 TOI due to an upper-body injury and will now head to the injured reserve meaning he will miss at least one more game. The 28-year-old has been enjoying his most productive statistical season to date, with three goals, eight assists, 24 PIMs and +12 plus/minus through 27 games this season.
Moore has seven goals, 18 points, 103 SOG, and a -4 plus/minus through 32 games this season and will now be signed with the Kings through the 2027-28 season after signing a five-year contract extension worth an AAV of $4,200,000.
Georgiev stopped 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) picking up his third straight defeat in a hard-luck overtime loss to the New York Rangers in his last start. The 26-year-old has been sensational in his first season in Colorado, with his 11-5-2 record, .920 SV% and 2.65 GAA. He takes on the Buffalo Sabres, who are coming off a high after a 6-0 win in their last game and rank first in the NHL in goals per game (3.93).
