Hunt played one game with the Flames this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL. The 29-year-old forward has been outstanding with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) this season, scoring 48 points (15G / 33A) in 48 games.
With Adam Boqvist (upper body) sidelined due to an injury, Mayfield will re-enter the lineup for the Islanders. The 32-year-old Mayfield is averaging 17:09 time-on-ice, recording seven points (2G / 5A) and a +14 plus/minus rating in 54 games this season.
Boqvist was limited to only 7:51 time-on-ice before exiting Monday's 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings with an upper-body injury and did not practice on Thursday. The 24-year-old Boqvist is averaging 13:31 time-on-ice and has 11 points (4G / 7A) in 30 games this season. Scott Mayfield will draw into the lineup as Boqvist's replacement.
The Jets will turn to Hellebuyck between the pipes on Friday in a heated matchup between the top two teams in the Central Division. As he has against most teams this season, Hellebuyck has been tremendous in two games against the Dallas Stars this season (1-1-0), posting an excellent 1.52 GAA and .952 SV%. The 31-year-old goalie has a 1.99 GAA and .927 SV% in 50 games this season (38-9-3). The Jets enter Friday's contest as -133 home favorites against a Stars team that has scored four or more goals in 10 of their last 11 games (8-2-1).
Kozak made his NHL debut earlier this season, scoring one goal in 11 games with the Sabres, but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL. The 22-year-old forward has 14 points (8G / 6A) in 31 games with the Rochester Americans (AHL) this season.
The Islanders have been outscored 8-2 during a two-game losing skid and will likely turn to Sorokin between the pipes on Friday against the Edmonton Oilers. Sorokin was serviceable in his previous outing but did not receive ample goal support, saving 28 of 31 shots (.903 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. The 29-year-old goalie has a 2.77 GAA and .905 SV% in 48 games this season (24-20-4). The Islanders enter Friday's contest as +117 home underdogs against an Oilers team that lost 3-2 to the New Jersey Devils last night.
Parent's contract doesn't start until the 2025-26 season, so the 23-year-old will remain with Utica (AHL) for the 2024-25 season. The undrafted free agent has scored 11 goals with 15 assists (26 points) in 44 games in his second full season with Utica.
Christiansen was limited to only 5:27 time-on-ice before exiting Thursday's 4-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights due to an upper-body injury. The 25-year-old Christiansen is averaging 12:43 time-on-ice and has eight points (1G / 7A) in 65 games this season.
Hill is in the final year of a two-year deal that carries a $4.9M cap hit. His new deal will go through the 2030-31 season. Hill has enjoyed another strong season, going 24-11-4 with a 2.53 GAA (t-13th), and .906 SV% (t-18th), 0.360 GSAx/60 (12th) and four shutouts (t-2nd).
With Lian Bichsel's status uncertain for Friday's game against the Winnipeg Jets due to an illness, Dallas has recalled Capobianco from Texas (AHL). The 27-year-old Capobianco played one game with Dallas earlier this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, tallying 35 points (5G / 30A) in 49 games with the Texas Stars.
The Rangers have lost four straight (0-2-2) and will turn to Shesterkin between the pipes on Thursday as they desperately search for wins in a heated race for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The 29-year-old Shesterkin played well in his previous outing but did not receive ample goal support, saving 22 of 24 shots (.917 SV%) in a 2-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. He has a 2.87 GAA and .905 SV% in 47 games this season (21-22-4). The Rangers enter Thursday's contest as slight -104 road underdogs against a Wild club that has scored two or fewer goals in seven of their last eight games (3-5-0).
Kapanen will draw back into the Oilers lineup on Thursday after sitting out Monday's game in Buffalo. Mattias Janmark (illness) will sit in his place.
The Devils are coming off an important 5-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets but will switch to Allen between the pipes on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. Allen was excellent against the Oilers in a matchup earlier this season, recording a 31-save shutout in a 3-0 victory. The Devils enter Thursday's contest as +128 home underdogs against an Oilers squad coming off a disappointing 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.
Tanev has missed the last six games, but will likely return to the lineup on Thursday against the Florida Panthers. The 35-year-old Tanev is averaging 19:48 time-on-ice, recording 17 points (2G / 15A) and 151 blocks in 57 games this season.
Atkinson will slot in for Darren Raddysh, as the Lightning will return to dressing 12 forwards. Mitchell Chaffee will also slot in for Nikita Kucherov (illness).
Chaffee will get the chance to immediately draw back into the Lightning lineup on Thursday as Nikita Kucherov (illness) is unavailable. Cam Atkinson will also slot in for Darren Raddysh.
Raddysh will take a seat as the Lightning opt to dress just six defencemen on Thursday. Mitchell Chaffee draws back into the lineup while Cam Atkinson will also slot in for Nikita Kucherov (illness).
Kucherov did not play for the entirety of the third period in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes and it appears he will miss Thursday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 31-year-old Kucherov remains among the league leaders with 92 points (28G / 64A) in 61 games this season. That said, the elite forward has been held off the scoresheet in two straight games for only the second time this season.
The Golden Knights have lost two straight (0-1-1) and will hope to return to the win column on Thursday with Hill tending the twine against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Hill struggled in his previous outing, allowing six goals on 29 shots (.829 SV%) in a 6-5 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. The 28-year-old Hill has a 2.60 GAA and .904 SV% in 38 games this season (23-11-4). The Golden Knights enter Thursday's contest as -181 road favorites against a Blue Jackets team with losses in three of their last four games (1-3-0).
Tampa Bay has been outscored 8-1 in their previous two games (0-2-0) and will attempt to change their fortunes on Thursday, turning to Johansson between the pipes against the Philadelphia Flyers. Johansson was excellent in his previous outing, saving 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 29-year-old goalie has a 3.15 GAA and .896 SV% in 14 games (7-5-1) this season. Tampa Bay enters the action on Thursday as -148 road favorites against a Flyers squad amid a five-game losing skid (0-5-0).
