Zhilkin was a third round pick of the Jets in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old forward has yet to play an NHL game. He has 14 points (7G / 7A) in 30 games with the Manitoba Moose (AHL) this season.
The Sabres have relied exclusively on Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen since Alex Lyon (lower body) was injured nearly two weeks ago, but Ellis will likely tend the twine on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 25-year-old Ellis has not played since December 9th, when he suffered an injury late in the first period. He has a 3.25 GAA and .895 SV% in eight appearances this season (4-3-0). The Sabres have won 11 of their last 12 games (11-1-0) and enter Thursday's contest as -122 road favorites against a Rangers team that is missing several key players, including their starting goalie, Igor Shesterkin.
Drysdale exited Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks after only 5:56 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury. An update on Drysdale's status has not yet been provided, but he will not play on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 23-year-old defenseman has 18 points (3G / 15A) in 41 games this season.
Brink only played one shift in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks, exiting the contest early in the first period because of an upper-body injury. A concrete update on Brink's status has not been revealed yet, but he will not play on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old forward has 20 points (11G / 9A) in 41 games this season.
Michkov did not play in the Flyers win over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, but he will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. After a 63 point rookie season, Michkov has faced some adversity in his sophomore season, with only 23 points (9G / 14A) in 40 games. That said, he has played better lately, with seven points (1G / 6A) in his last 10 games.
The Jets went 3-8-1 in 12 games with Hellebuyck sidelined due to a knee injury, but unfortunately for them, their struggles have continued since Hellebuyck's return. The 32-year-old goalie has just one win since returning to the lineup in mid December, posting a 2.84 GAA and .886 SV% through 10 games (1-5-4). The Jets enter the action on Thursday as +102 home underdogs against an Oilers team coming off a 6-2 win over the Nashville Predators.
The Maple Leafs have been rolling lately, with points in seven straight games (5-0-2), and will turn to Hildeby on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 24-year-old Swedish goalie was solid in his most recent outing, entering the contest in relief of Joseph Woll, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 6-5 win over the Winnipeg Jets. He has a 2.90 GAA and .912 SV% in 15 appearances this season (3-5-4). The Maple Leafs enter the action on Thursday as slight +108 road underdogs against a Flyers team that has scored five or more goals in three of their last four games (3-1-0).
Smith was a regular for the Blue Jackets after making his debut in early December, but has not played the previous few games and subsequently underwent surgery to address a torn meniscus. The 36-year-old defenseman was averaging 11:05 time-on-ice and had two assists in 15 games.
Korpisalo has not played in nearly two weeks, but was solid in his previous outing, saving 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The 31-year-old Finnish goalie has a 3.60 GAA and .882 SV% in 15 games this season (6-8-0). The Bruins enter the action on Thursday as -136 home favorites against a Calgary Flames team that played last night, losing 4-1 to the Montreal Canadiens, extending its losing streak to three games (0-3-0).
Ivan made his NHL debut last season and scored eight points (5G / 3A) in 40 games with the Avalanche, but has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. The 23-year-old Czech forward has eight points (2G / 6A) in 28 games with the Eagles (AHL) this season.
Malkin has not played in over a month, but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 39-year-old Malkin was having a renaissance season before his injury, scoring 29 points (8G / 21A) through 26 games. The future Hall of Famer has not finished a season above a point-per-game pace since the 2022-23 season.
Gibson's stellar play between the pipes has continued, and he will return to the crease on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 32-year-old Gibson saved 35 of 38 shots (.921 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-3 win over the Ottawa Senators. He has an exceptional 2.03 GAA and .932 SV% in his last 10 games (8-2-0). The Red Wings enter Thursday's contest as -146 home favorites against a Canucks team on a four-game losing streak (0-2-2).
After a poor start to his tenure with the Penguins, Skinner has strung together consecutive wins, allowing just one goal in each and saving 38 of 40 combined shots (.950 SV%). The 27-year-old Skinner has a 2.87 GAA and .874 SV% through five games with the Penguins (2-3-0). Pittsburgh has won five straight and enters the action on Thursday -115 home favorites against a New Jersey Devils team coming off a humiliating 9-0 loss to the New York Islanders.
The Rangers are battling a myriad of key injuries and had a scare on Wednesday when Lafreneiere was absent from practice because of an illness, but he should play on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 24-year-old Lafreniere has been held off the scoresheet in 28 of 44 games this season and continues to be unable to live up to the expectations he garnered when he was drafted first overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He has 24 points (9G / 15A) in 44 games this season.
With Adam Fox (undisclosed) on LTIR, the Rangers recalled Morrow from Hartford (AHL) earlier this week. The 23-year-old Morrow averaged 15:34 time-on-ice and had three assists in 16 games with the Rangers earlier this season.
The Flyers have made it clear that Vladar is their go-to option between the pipes and will likely start again on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 28-year-old Czech goalie has allowed three or fewer goals in nine straight games (6-1-2), posting a solid .916 SV%. He has a 2.37 GAA and .910 SV% through 25 games this season (16-6-3)). The Flyers enter Thursday's contest as -113 home favorites against a Maple Leafs team with points in seven straight games (5-0-2).
Miller has been sidelined for nearly three weeks because of an upper-body injury, but should return to the lineup on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 32-year-old Miller has a pedestrian 22 points (10G / 22A) in 35 games this season, but was producing at a better rate lately, with eight points (3G / 5A) in his last nine games.
Koivunen scored a goal in his most recent game and has two points (1G / 1A) in his last three outings, but has been assigned to the AHL. The 22-year-old forward has five points (2G / 3A) in 27 games with Pittsburgh this season.
Engstrom has played two of the past five games for the Canadiens, but has been used sparingly and should see more consistent playing time with Laval (AHL). The 22-year-old defenseman is averaging 12:32 time-on-ice and has zero points in 11 games this season.
With Linus Ullmark still on a leave of absence due to personal reasons, the Senators will again hand Merilainen the start when they travel to Utah on Wednesday. Merilainen struggled in his last start, allowing three goals on eight shots before being pulled as the Senators lost 5-3 to the Red Wings on Monday. The 23-year-old netminder has appeared in 14 games this season, logging a 6-7-0 record and an .869 SV%. The Sens enter action on Wednesday at +105 on the money line.
