NHL Hockey Player News

Oettinger as expected, should lead the Stars as they take on the undefeated Nashville Predators on the road after being the first goalie off the ice at Dallas' morning skate. Oettinger earned a new three-year, $12 million contract in the offseason after leading the Stars back to the playoffs after the 23-year-old posted 30 wins, and .914 SV% on the season. The three-year veteran will look to keep his career GAA around the impressive 2.59 GAA mark he has achieved in his first 77 games with Dallas.

Saros is expected to take the crease after easily winning Nashville's opening game vs San Jose 4-1 last week in Prague. The Finish star stopped 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) as the Predators handled the Sharks easily. Nashville enters the game on a two-game winning streak and will hope to continue their early season success as they return to hockey on North American soil.

The league's oldest player, 41-year-old netminder Craig Anderson takes the crease for the Sabres' opening home matchup against Ottawa. The 19-year veteran struggled in 2021-22, achieving his lowest SV% (.897) in nearly 16 seasons while collecting his 308th career win after a 31-start season.

Blackwood will get the first start of the season as they take on the Flyers in Philadelphia. The 25-year-old is entering his fifth season as a member of the Devils, posting a career SV% of .907 while winning 55 games in 123 starts. He will be looking to bounce back this season with an exciting Devils' roster after posting an SV% below .900 for the first time in his career in 2021-22 (.892).

The 26-year-old defenceman signs a $50 million extension with the Philadelphia Flyers after collecting 116 points (29G/87A) in 335 games while averaging over 20 min TOI (20:18) throughout his career. He starts his sixth season with the Flyers Thursday as they take on the New Jersey Devils at home.

Laine scored just minutes into Columbus' season opener Wednesday but could only complete 7:49 TOI. Before leaving, the star winger collected two shots, a hit and a blocked shot, while adding the earlier-mentioned goal. His month-long absence will come as a massive blow to Columbus who just added Johnny Gaudreau during the offseason.

Jones will start the second of Seattle's back-to-back games after the Kraken lost 5-4 in overtime Wednesday night to Anaheim. Seattle will be the veteran's fourth team in 10 seasons amassing a career SV% of .907 across 387 starts. He struggled in 35 GP in 2021-22 with Philadelphia posting a 3.42 GAA and .900 SV%.

Thompson will draw his second start in as many games after beating the LA Kings in the Golden Knights season opener 4-3. Thompson will look to build off his solid performance as he stopped 27 of 30 shots (.900%) on way to the 11th win of his career.

Durzi had one assist and three shots in 22:58 TOI in his season debut on Tuesday but will come out of the lineup on Thursday. Brandt Clarke will replace Durzi and make his NHL debut.

Clarke was the No.8 overall pick in 2021 and registered 59 points (11G / 48A) in 55 OHL games in 2022. Clarke, who will replace Sean Durzi and skate with Alex Edler, had two assists in four pre-season games.

Lemieux will draw in on the fourth line with Viktor Arvidsson (illness) coming out of the lineup. Lemieux had 13 points (8G / 5A) in 50 games a season ago.

Arvidsson had two shots in 17:33 TOI in the season opener but will come out of the lineup on Thursday. With Arvidsson out, Gabriel Vilardi is expected to move up to the second line, and Brendan Lemieux is expected to draw in on the fourth line.

Quick will look to start his second straight game of 2022-23 after losing a hard-fought 47-save battle to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. The 36-year-old veteran will look to build off his impressive .922 SV% with what should be a much easier matchup as Seattle is playing their second game of a back-to-back. Quick is just 32 wins away from the all-time leader for wins among American NHL goalies.