Kastelic signed a three-year, $4.701 million contract extension on January 3rd and was injured less than a week later, missing the last two games. The heavy-hitting 6'4 forward is averaging 11:19 time-on-ice, recording 12 points (4G / 8A) and 167 hits in 43 games this season.
With Tristan Jarry clearing waivers and reporting to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL), Nedeljkovic will be between the pipes for Pittsburgh on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres. Nedeljkovic last played on January 11th, allowing five goals on 17 shots (.706 SV%) in a 5-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The 29-year-old netminder has a 3.40 GAA and .886 SV% in 19 appearances this season (7-7-4). The Penguins enter Friday's contest as +114 road underdogs against a Sabres squad that has won three of their last four (3-1-0).
Frederik Andersen (knee) was activated from Injured Reserve, but Kochetkov will be between the pipes on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights. Kochetkov allowed three goals on 20 shots (.850 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, and only has one win in his last four games (1-2-1). The 25-year-old Kochetkov has a 2.54 GAA and .901 SV% in 28 appearances this season (16-9-2). The Hurricanes enter Friday's contest as -160 home favorites against a Golden Knights club that has lost three of their last four (1-3-0).
Gatcomb made his NHL debut on Tuesday, playing 7:27 time-on-ice, and returns to New York after a brief stop in Bridgeport (AHL). Gatcomb is an undrafted forward out of the University of Connecticut. The 25-year-old has 17 points (9G / 8A) in 35 games with the Bridgeport Islanders (AHL) this season.
Shore began the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL but has been a regular in Minnesota's lineup the past several weeks. The 30-year-old forward is averaging 8:13 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A) in 25 games this season.
With Frederik Andersen (knee) activated from Injured Reserve, Tokarski's services in Carolina are no longer needed, and he has been assigned to the Chicago Wolves (AHL). Tokarski played well in his brief six-game sample (4-2-0) at the NHL level this season, posting a 2.18 GAA and .902 SV%.
The Sabres will likely roll with Luukkonen between the pipes for a fifth straight game on Friday when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Luukkonen was tremendous in his most recent outing, saving 35 of 37 shots (.946 SV%) in an impressive 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The 25-year-old Luukkonen has played well lately, posting a .911 SV% in his previous nine games (6-2-1). The Sabres enter Friday's contest as -126 home favorites against a Penguins squad outscored 14-4 during a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).
Frederik Andersen (knee) was activated from Injured Reserve, but Kochetkov will likely be between the pipes on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights. Kochetkov allowed three goals on 20 shots (.850 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, and only has one win in his last four games (1-2-1). The 25-year-old Kochetkov has a 2.54 GAA and .901 SV% in 28 appearances this season (16-9-2). The Hurricanes enter Friday's contest as -160 home favorites against a Golden Knights club that has lost three of their last four (1-3-0).
Andersen has been activated from Injured Reserve nine weeks into his initial 8-to-12 week timetable following a procedure on his knee. Dustin Tokarski has been assigned to the Chicago Wolves (AHL) in a corresponding move. The 35-year-old Andersen only played four games before his injury (3-1-0) but was solid in this outings, posting a 1.48 GAA and .941 SV%.
Vincent Desharnais will draw back into Vancouver lineup on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings as Juulsen is unable to go due to an undisclosed injury. The 27-year-old Juulsen is averaging 16:34 time-on-ice and has zero points, a -11 plus/minus, 57 blocks, and 89 hits in 32 games this season.
The Kings have struggled scoring lately, limited to only five goals in their previous four games (2-2-0), and will need to rely on Kuemper for another strong performance on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. Kuemper was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 29 of 30 shots (.967 SV%) in a 1-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The 34-year-old netminder has had a resurgent season in Los Angeles, posting a stellar 2.11 GAA and .921 SV% in 21 appearances (12-3-5). The Kings enter Thursday's contest as slight +101 road underdogs against a Canucks club coming off a disappointing 6-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.
Skinner will play for the first time since January 9th as Edmonton opts to get some fresh bodies into their lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Kasperi Kapanen will sit in his place.
Stecher will play on Thursday as Edmonton opts to get some fresh bodies into their lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Josh Brown will sit in his place.
Kapanen will take a seat on Thursday as the Oilers opt to get some fresh legs into their lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Jeff Skinner will draw into the lineup in his place.
Brown will take a seat on Thursday as the Oilers opt to get some fresh legs into their lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Troy Stecher will draw into the lineup in his place.
Cernak managed only one shift in Thursday night's game before exiting with the undisclosed injury and was unable to return. We should get an update on his status ahead of Tampa Bay's game against the Red Wings on Saturday.
Poehling exited the game after taking a hard hit from Maxim Tsyplakov and was unable to return. We should get an update on Poehling's status ahead of Philadelphia's game in New Jersey on Saturday.
Skinner will get the start for the tail-end of Edmonton's back-to-back after Calvin Pickard got the nod on Wednesday. Skinner was fantastic in his last start, stopping all 30 shots he faced in a 1-0 shutout victory over the Kings on Monday. The 26-year-old netminder owns a 17-9-3 record and a .902 SV% on the season. The Oilers enter action on Thursday at +100 on the money line.
The Jets have outscored their opposition 9-1 during a two-game winning streak and will roll with Hellebucyk between the pipes on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. Hellebuyck has been tremendous all season and is essentially a shoo-in for the Vezina trophy at the midway point of the season, posting an immaculate 1.99 GAA, .929 SV%, and six shutouts in 35 games (27-6-2). The Jets enter Thursday's contest as sizeable -206 home favorites against a Kraken team coming off a 4-2 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Daccord will make his 26th start of the season when the Kraken travel to Winnipeg to take on the Jets on Thursday. Daccord was excellent in his last start, allowing just two goals on 33 shots in a 4-2 victory in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. He carries a 14-9-2 record and an impressive .914 SV% into Thursday night's matchup. Daccord and the Kraken enter action at +185 on the money line in Winnipeg.
