NHL Hockey Player News

After winning their first three games, the Panthers have lost two straight and will turn to Tarasov between the pipes on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 26-year-old Tarasov was unspectacular in his only outing this season, allowing three goals on 20 shots (.850 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as +134 road underdogs against a Devils team that has scored 11 goals through their first three games (2-1-0).

Jiricek was traded from Columbus last season due to growing frustration with a lack of NHL play, a commonality early in his tenure with the Minnesota Wild. The talented 21-year-old defenseman has been limited to only six games with Minnesota since being acquired in January last season, tallying two points (1G / 1A) in the process.

Clague was recalled by the Jets last week but did not draw into the lineup. He has been loaned to the AHL, where he has spent the majority of the previous two seasons. He scored 39 points (10G / 29A) in 69 games with the Rochester Americans (AHL) last season.

The Bruins are coming off their first loss of the season (3-1-0), but Swayman remains perfect and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights. After a forgetful 2024-25 season, the 26-year-old Swayman is off to a hot start in 2025-26, posting a 1.00 GAA and .966 SV% through two games (2-0-0). Still, the Bruins enter Thursday's contest as +198 road underdogs against a Golden Knights team that has scored 14 goals through their first four games (2-0-2).

Klingberg did not practice on Wednesday and is questionable for Friday's game against the Utah Mammoth. The 33-year-old Klingberg has been productive from the blueline early in his tenure with the Sharks, scoring two points (1G / 1A), both on the powerplay, in his first three games. The Sharks recently acquired Vincent Iorio off waivers, and he could draw into the lineup if Klingberg does not play.

Brunicke was a healthy scratch in Pittsburgh's most recent game in an attempt to help him acclimate to the NHL, but he will be back in the lineup on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 19-year-old defenseman has one goal through three games.

With Jeffrey Viel making his season debut on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights, Khusnutdinov will head to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Khusnutdinov is averaging 10:32 time-on-ice, recording zero points a -2 plus/minus through four games this season.

Benjamin Kindel will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings, allowing Acciari to re-enter the lineup. The 33-year-old Acciari is averaging 13:04 time-on-ice and has seven hits through three games this season.

The Penguins are off to a 2-2-0 start to the 2025-26 season and will continue to alternate their goalies, turning to Silovs on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. Silovs has shown a mixed bag in his two games as a Penguin. He opened the season with a spectacular 25-save shutout in a 3-0 win over the New York Rangers, but followed it up by allowing six goals on 30 shots (.800 SV%) against the same Rangers team four days later. The Penguins enter the action on Thursday as +172 road underdogs against a Kings team that has been outscored 16-12 through four games this season (1-2-1).

With Darcy Kuemper (undisclosed) sidelined, the Kings will turn to Forsberg on Thursday when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Forsberg was acquired by the Kings in the offseason and struggled in his debut last week, allowing five goals on 35 shots (.857 SV%) in a 6-5 shootout victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Forsberg has a 3.05 GAA and .904 SV% in 191 career games (75-81-14). The Kings enter the action on Thursday as -193 home favorites against the Penguins.

Adin Hill (lower body) was back at practice on Thursday, but the Golden Knights will roll with Schmid between the pipes on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. The 25-year-old Schmid has been impressive early in his Golden Knights' tenure, posting a 1.80 GAA and .929 SV% through two appearances (2-0-0). The Golden Knights enter the action on Thursday as sizable -227 home favorites against a Bruins team outscoring their opposition 13-4 through four games this season (3-1-0).

The Penguins are off to a 2-2-0 start to the 2025-26 season and will continue to alternate their goalies, turning to Silovs on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. Silovs has shown a mixed bag in his two games as a Penguin. He opened the season with a spectacular 25-save shutout in a 3-0 win over the New York Rangers, but followed it up by allowing six goals on 30 shots (.800 SV%) against the same Rangers team four days later. The Penguins enter the action on Thursday as +172 road underdogs against a Kings team that has been outscored 16-12 through four games this season (1-2-1).

Kindel was Pittsburgh's 11th-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and will serve has a healthy scratch for the first time in his young career. Through four games, the 18-year-old has one point (1G / 0A) and is averaging 14:20 time-on-ice.

Viel is an undrafted 28-year-old forward that has spent most of his career playing in the AHL. He played five games with Boston last season but spent most of the 2024-25 campaign with the Providence Bruins (AHL), where he scored 37 points (13G / 24A) in 68 games.

Iorio was Washington's 55th-overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft but had trouble solidifying an NHL role with the team, limited to nine total games. The 22-year-old had 20 points (5G / 15A) in 67 games with the Hershey Bears (AHL) last season and will try to establish himself with a young Sharks team. He is expected to meet the Sharks in Utah for their game on Friday.

Liljegren showed no signs of an injury in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, playing 20:48 time-on-ice, but did not practice on Wednesday and has officially been ruled out for Friday's game against the Utah Mammoth after being placed on Injured Reserve. The 26-year-old Liljegren has zero points and a -2 plus/minus through three games this season.

Despite being absent from practice on Thursday to tend to personal matters, Terry will likely play in the evening against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 28-year-old Terry has been suiting up on a line with Frank Vatrano and Mikael Granlund. Terry has three points (0G / 3A) through three games.

The Ducks are off to a 2-1-0 start to the season, riding a two-game winning streak, and will turn to Dostal on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. After a strong 2024-25 season, earning himself the starting gig in Anaheim, Dostal will look to improve on his 3.08 GAA and .893 SV% through two games this season (1-1-0). The Ducks enter the action on Thursday as +170 home underdogs against a Hurricanes team that remains undefeated this season (3-0-0).

Raymond exited Monday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs after only 7:58 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. He did not play on Wednesday, but has skated on his own prior to practice. His status for Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning is uncertain. The 23-year-old Raymond was off to a strong start to the season, with three points (2G / 1A) in three games.