Smith has been a previous scratch for the Devils' previous six games but will draw back into the lineup Thursday vs. Washington. The 34-year-old defenseman has five assists, 47 SOG and 61 PIMs through 52 games this season.
Quick stopped 25 of 28 shots (.893 SV%) for his first win as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights as he beat Montreal in his last start. The 37-year-old veteran netminder has struggled on both teams he's occupied this season, with his 12-13-4 record, 3.48 GAA and .877 SV%. He will look to stay undefeated in Vegas as he takes on the Tampa Bay Lightning, who just snapped a five-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over Philadelphia last game.
Jarry was pulled in his previous start after allowing four goals on 12 shots (.667 SV%) as he failed to pick up a decision in his last start vs. Columbus. The 27-year-old has been great during his injury-filled season, with his 19-7-5 record, 2.86 GAA and .914 SV%. He will face the New York Islanders, who have won five of their last seven games but are still just 24th in the NHL in goals per game (2.89).
Shesterkin allowed four goals on 24 shots (.833 SV%) as he snapped a two-game winning streak with a loss to Boston in his last start. The 27-year-old will not be receiving the Vezina Trophy for a second straight season as he has a 27-11-7 record, 2.67 GAA and .909 SV%. He will face the Montreal Canadiens, who are looking to snap their current four-game losing skid after a 4-3 shootout loss to Carolina last game.
Sorokin stopped 22 of 24 shots (.917 SV%) for his second-straight win as he beat the Buffalo Sabres in his previous start. The 27-year-old has been incredible despite what his record may show, as he is 22-18-6, with a 2.33 GAA and .926 SV%. He will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have won five of their last six after a 5-4 comeback victory in overtime over Columbus last game.
Kahkonen allowed five goals on 24 shots (.792 SV%) for his sixth-straight loss as he was rocked by Colorado in his previous start. The 26-year-old has been horrific in 2022-23, with his 8-15-5 record, 3.81 GAA and .879 SV%. He will face the downfalling St. Louis Blues, who have lost eight of their last nine games after a 6-2 loss to Arizona last game.
Sandstrom last took the crease for the Flyers on Feb. 12th, as he picked up his sixth-straight loss after allowing four goals on 21 shots (.810 SV%) vs. Seattle. The 26-year-old has struggled in his second NHL season, with his 1-8-1 record, 3.52 GAA and .880 SV%. He will hope to improve those numbers as he takes on Carolina, who has won three-straight games and eight of their last 10.
Patera has a 12-13-1 record, a .916 SV% and 2.66 GAA with the Henderson Silver Knights (AHL) and has been recalled to Vegas for the first time this season as a replacement for the injured Adin HIll. The 24-year-old was Vegas' 2017 sixth-round pick (161 overall).
Schmid allowed three goals on 27 shots (.889 SV%) for his fifth loss in six starts as he was defeated by the Vegas Golden Knights. The 22-year-old has been sensational despite his recent losses, with his 6-4-1 record, 2.00 GAA and .926 SV%. He will face the Washington Capitals, who lost their last game 4-2 to Los Angeles and are 20th in the NHL in goals per game (3.08).
Fehervary missed the Capitals' previous two games due to a lower-body injury and will be a game-time decision Thursday vs. New Jersey. The 23-year-old defenseman has five goals, eight assists, 70 SOG, 24 PIMs and a -9 plus/minus through 51 games this season.
Kochetkov's last Hurricane start was on January 15th, and he took the overtime loss after stopping 29 of 23 shots (.906 SV%) from the Vancouver Canucks. The 23-year-old rookie has been great in his limited fill-in appearances this season, with his 10-4-5 record, 2.33 GAA and .913 SV%. He will face the Philadelphia Flyers, who have lost five of their last six contests and are 29th in goals per game in the NHL (2.62).
Foerster has 18 goals, 20 assists, and 47 PIMs across 56 games played with Lehigh Valley (AHL) and has been recalled by the Flyers' for the first time this season. The 21-year-old was the Flyers' 2020 1st round pick (23rd overall).
Harris has three goals, 12 assists, 63 SOG, 24 PIMs and a -7 plus/minus through 60 games but will not play Thursday due to a lower-body injury. It is the first time this season that the rookie has been forced to miss time due to injury.
Desnoyers had 20 goals, 38 points, 14 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus through 52 games with Lehigh Valley (AHL) and has been recalled to Philadelphia for a second time this season. The 21-year-old had previously played in two games with the Flyers, failing to pick up a point but collecting two SOG.
Comrie allowed three goals on 36 shots (.917 SV%) for his fourth-straight win as he beat Tampa Bay in his previous start. The 27-year-old Sabres' third netminder has struggled in his limited showings this season, with his 8-8-0 record, 3.56 GAA and .885 SV%. He will face the Dallas Stars, who snapped a three-game winning streak with a 5-4 loss to Calgary in their last game.
Montembeault allowed three goals on 33 shots (.909 SV%) for his second-straight loss as Anaheim defeated him in his previous start. The 26-year-old Canadiens' backup has been their better of the two goalies, even though he has a 12-13-2 record and 3.30 GAA and .905 SV% stat line. He takes on the struggling New York Rangers, who have lost six of their last eight games after a 4-2 loss to Boston last game.
Hill missed Wednesday's practice with a lower-body injury and he's not expected to be available for Thursday's game. With Hill likely to be out, look for Jonathan Quick to start and Jiri Patera to be recalled from Henderson (AHL) to serve as the backup.
Raanta suffered an undisclosed injury in the first period of Tuesday's game in Montreal. The Hurricanes recalled Pyotr Kochetkov from Charlotte (AHL), so don't expect Raanta to be available vs. the Flyers.
Antti Raanta suffered an undisclosed injury in Tuesday's game in Montreal, so Kochetkov comes up to serve as the Hurricanes' No.2 netminder behind Frederik Andersen. WIth a back-to-back on Saturday/Sunday, there's a good chance that Kochetkov seems some action.
Demko stopped 36 of 37 shots (.973 SV%) for his second win in three games since returning from injury as he beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in his previous start. The 27-year-old has struggled in an injury-riddled campaign, posting a 5-11-2 record, 3.66 GAA, and .893 SV%. He takes on the Anaheim Ducks, who have won four of their last six games but are 31st in the NHL in goals per game (2.51).
