NHL Hockey Player News

Vanecek has appeared in four straight games for the Devils and currently finds himself in the midst of a two-game winning streak after stopping 31 of 34 shots (.912 SV%) and beating Minnesota in his previous start. The 27-year-old has won despite his mediocre play this season as he is 4-2-0, .895 SV%, and 3.24 GAA. He takes on the reeling Minnesota Wild, who have dropped their previous three games but are tied for seventh in the NHL in goals per game (3.56).

Joseph Woll suffered his worst performance of the season, allowing four goals on 27 shots in a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday and as a result, the team will turn back to Ilya Samsonov on Thursday night. In five games (2-1-1), Samsonov has an unimpressive 3.99 GAA and .841 SV% and won't have the luxury of easing his way back into form as the Maple Leafs take on the only Eastern Conference team without a regulation loss, the Boston Bruins (8-0-1).

Ekman-Larsson was forced to leave the Panthers' previous game after taking a high hit from Charlie McAvoy which led to a four-game suspension and was a game-time decision Thursday vs. Detroit. The 32-year-old signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Panthers in the offseason and has a goal, two assists, 21 SOG and six PIMs in eight games this season.

Kuemper was sensational in his last start as he kept a two game winning streak alive after stopping 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a victory over San Jose and is expected to start Thursday vs. the New York Islanders. The 33-year-old netminder has had an up-and-down start to his 2023-24 season, with his 3-2-0 record, .903 SV% and 2.92 GAA. He hosts the Islanders at home Thursday, who are ninth in the NHL in shots per game (32.9) but have struggled to score ranking 25th in goals per game (2.63).

Talbot has been the only reliable netminder for the Kings this season and as such, appears to be the starter on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. In seven games (4-2-1), Talbot has a respectable 2.47 GAA and .914 SV% but has been even more impressive of late, allowing only five goals (.936 SV%) in his last three contests (2-0-1). The Kings are slight -109 road favourites against a Senators team that, despite an unremarkable 4-4-0 start, has had no trouble scoring goals, ranking fifth in the league offensively (4.00 GF / GP).

Korpisalo was on the ball in his previous start as he stopped 41 of 43 shots (.953 SV%) to snap a two-game losing streak as he beat Pittsburgh and will likely take the crease Thursday after occupying the starter's crease at morning skate. After signing a five-year, $20 million contract in the offseason he has struggled early and is 2-3-0 with a .903 SV% and 3.22 GAA. He takes on his old team in Los Angeles, whose offense is in tact as they are currently leading the NHL in goals per game (4.33)

After a slow start to the season, the Hurricanes are in the midst of a three-game winning streak and will likely turn to Andersen for his second consecutive start. In his last two games (2-0-0), Andersen has saved 50 of 54 shots (.926 SV%) and appears to be returning to form after posting a .855 SV% in his first three appearances (2-0-0). Despite their recent success, the Hurricanes are slight +100 road underdogs as they visit the 7-2-0 New York Rangers, who have outscored their opposition 17-7 during a five-game winning streak.

Shesterkin will be the starter on Thursday as he looks for his fourth consecutive victory. Shesterkin has been lights-out during his current three-game winning streak, allowing only six goals total and posting a .932 SV%. The Rangers in general are off to a fabulous start to the 2023-24 campaign, posting a 7-2-0 record, but will be challenged tonight as they welcome the Carolina Hurricanes, who have outscored their opposition 9-4 over their last three games (3-0-0).

Mayfield was forced to leave the Islanders' opening game vs Buffalo after blocking a shot and has not played since. The 31-year-old defensemen is coming off a career season in 2022-23 which saw him collect career highs in goals (6), assists (18), and SOG (119)

Mete did not appear in a game with the Flyers during his promotion. He returns to the AHL to create room for Cal Petersen to be recalled. Mete has one assist and a minus-3 rating in five AHL games this season.

With Carter Hart suffering a mid-body injury in Wednesday's game, Petersen earns the call-up where he'll likely split the Flyers' Friday/Saturday back-to-back with Samuel Ersson. Petersen, who was acquired from the Kings in the offseason, has got 1-3-0 with a 3.76 GAA and .884 SV% in four AHL games this season.

Kuemper was sensational in his last start as he kept a two game winning streak alive after stopping 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a victory over San Jose and is expected to start Thursday vs. the New York Islanders. The 33-year-old netminder has had an up-and-down start to his 2023-24 season, with his 3-2-0 record, .903 SV% and 2.92 GAA. He hosts the Islanders at home Thursday, who are ninth in the NHL in shots per game (32.9) but have struggled to score ranking 25th in goals per game (2.63).

Tuch did not participate in the Sabres' skate Thursday after missing practice due to maintenance and is a game-time decision Friday vs. Philadelphia after Lukas Rousek was recalled from Rochester (AHL). The 27-year-old right-winger has a goal, six assists, 20 SOG, 18 PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through 10 games this season.

Rousek started off the season hot in Rochester (AHL) and has earned himself a call-up to Buffalo Thursday after putting up two goals, four assists, four PIMs, and a -3 plus/minus in eight games. The 24-year-old made his NHL debut in 2022-23, appearing in two games and scoring a goal and an assist. Alex Tuch missed Thursday's team practice due to maintenance so if he is unable to go, Rousek should be expected to take his spot in the Sabres' lineup.

Swayman returns to the Bruins' crease after backing up last game and will look to keep his four-game win streak in tact vs. Toronto. The 24-year-old has been sensational yet again this season, with his 4-0-0 record, .957 SV% and 1.26 GAA. He draws Toronto at home Thursday, who is looking to snap a two-game losing streak and are 13th in the NHL in goals per game (3.22).

After allowing five goals on 42 shots in a 6-5 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Canadiens season-opener, Allen has settled into an impressive run, winning three straight games and posting a 2.63 GAA and .930 SV% on the season (3-0-1). Allen and the Canadiens are +113 road underdogs against the Arizona Coyotes, who are averaging 4.5 goals per game over their last four outings (1-2-1).

The Predators will turn back to Juuse Saros after giving him his first rest of the season, a 5-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. Saros will be starting for the ninth time in 10 games and should continue to be a workhorse for the Predators as Lankinen's first start on Tuesday likely did not instill much confidence from the coaching staff. Saros is performing right around his career averages this season, posting a 2.49 GAA and .915 SV% but has only been able to record a 4-4-0 record due to his team's inability to score consistently (2.78 GF / GP). The Predators visit the Seattle Kraken on Thursday, who have the 27th-ranked offence in the league (2.40 GF / GP).

Demko will start for the Canucks on Thursday and look to improve on his impressive start to the season as the Canucks visit the low-scoring San Jose Sharks. Demko's 1.92 GAA and .935 SV% through six games (4-2-0) mixed with a winless Sharks team (0-8-1) that has the worst offence in the league (1.00 GF / GP) is a perfect recipe for the Canucks, who are -225 road favourites.

Ylonen has been a healthy scratch the last two games and hasn't played since October 26th but will return to the Canadiens lineup on Thursday in Arizona. Michael Pezzetta will serve as a healthy scratch, allowing Pezetta, who has one point (1G / 0A) in seven games, to return to the lineup.