Georgiev is amid his best two-game streak of the season (2-0-0), saving 45 of 49 shots (.918 SV%). The 29-year-old netminder has an ugly 3.54 GAA and .879 SV% in 36 appearances this season (12-19-1). Still, the Sharks enter Thursday's contest as significant +329 road underdogs against a Colorado Avalanche club that defeated them 4-2 on December 19th when Georgiev allowed four goals on 31 shots (.871 SV%).
Puljujarvi had his contract terminated by the Pittsburgh Penguins in early February after failing to establish his presence regularly in the lineup. He was signed to a one-year, two-way contract by the Panthers on Wednesday and will report to the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). The 26-year-old forward had nine points (3G / 6A) in 26 games with the Penguins this season.
Oesterle began the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL but was thrust into a role with Boston this season due to injuries on their blueline. The 32-year-old defenseman averaged 17:36 time-on-ice and scored six points (1G / 5A) in 22 games with Boston this season.
Vrana had only cracked the Capitals' lineup once since early January and had been placed on waivers on Wednesday. The 29-year-old Vrana is averaging only 9:50 time-on-ice and has 11 points (7G / 4A) in 26 games this season and could get a more prominent role on a Predators team struggling offensively.
Fischer was a lineup-regular for the Red Wings this season but found himself on waivers Wednesday, ultimately being claimed by the Blue Jackets on Thursday. The 27-year-old forward is averaged 11:09 time-on-ice and had seven points (1G / 6A) in 45 games this season with the Red Wings.
Reaves has only played three games for the Maple Leafs since the beginning of February and has been placed on waivers. The 38-year-old hard-hitting forward is averaging 7:48 time-on-ice, recording two points (0G / 2A) and 103 hits in 35 games this season.
Carcone has not played since February 25th, but will re-enter the lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old Carcone is averaged 11:39 time-on-ice and has 13 points (5G / 8A) in 41 games this season.
Brisson was a first-round pick, 29th overall, of the Golden Knights in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old forward played nine games with the Golden Knights this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, tallying 19 points (5G / 14A) in 45 games with the Henderson Silver Knights.
Smith was held out of the Rangers lineup for their previous few games as they anticipated trading the impending UFA, a move that came to fruition on Thursday, sending him to his former club, the Golden Knights. The 33-year-old Smith averaged 15:36 time-on-ice and scored 29 points (10G / 19A) in 58 games with the Rangers this season.
With Jimmy Vesey making his Colorado debut on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks, Wood will be the odd-man out of the lineup as a healthy scratch. The 29-year-old Wood is averaging 11:22 time-on-ice and has four points (2G / 2A) in 28 games this season.
With Josh Manson returning from injury and Keaton Middleton drawing back into the lineup, Oliver Kylington and Sam Malinski will be healthy scratches on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 26-year-old Malinski is averaging 15:30 time-on-ice and has seven points (2G / 5A) in 59 games this season.
Middleton has not played since February 22nd but will re-enter the lineup on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 27-year-old Middleton is averaging 10:45 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in a career-high 28 games this season.
With Josh Manson returning from injury and Keaton Middleton drawing back into the lineup, Oliver Kylington and Sam Malinski will be healthy scratches on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 27-year-old Kylington is averaging 12:59 time-on-ice and has four points (1G / 3A) in 13 games with Colorado this season.
Hamilton was limited to only 5:15 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Dallas Stars, exiting the contest in the first period due to a lower-body injury. Hamilton has 40 points (9G / 31A) in 63 games, including 15 points on the powerplay. After Hamilton left the game on Tuesday, Luke Hughes occupied his spot on New Jersey's top powerplay unit.
Fresh off a five-year, $4.75M AAV contract extension, Vejmelka will be between the pipes on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Vejmelka allowed three goals on 29 shots (.897 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.45 GAA and .910 SV% in 38 games this season (16-16-4). Utah HC enters the action on Thursday as -132 road favorites against a Red Wings club amid a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).
Ellis was a third-round pick, 93rd overall, of the Blues in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old goalie has yet to play an NHL game but has had an impressive season in the AHL, posting a 2.41 GAA and .926 SV% in 31 games (19-7-3) with the Springfield Thunderbirds.
The acquisition of Sturm will add some depth to the Panthers' bottom-six forward group. The 29-year-old Sturm averaged 10:08 time-on-ice and scored 13 points (7G / 6A) in 47 games with the Sharks this season.
Traff was a third-round pick, 91st overall, of the Devils in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old forward has yet to play and NHL game. He scored seven points (3G / 4A) in 25 games with HV7a Jonkoping (SweHL) this season.
Tanev is an impending UFA will be held out of Seattle's lineup on Thursday as the team anticipates to trade him before Friday's trade deadline. The 33-year-old Tanev has 17 points (9G / 8A) in 60 games this season.
Dumoulin will add some defensive depth and Stanley Cup pedigree to the Devils blueline. The 33-year-old defenseman averaged 19:48 time-on-ice and scored 16 points (2G / 14A) through 61 games with the Ducks this season.
