Kurashev has not played in over five weeks, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. The 26-year-old forward has 15 points (6G / 9A) in 31 games this season.
Chytil has not played since mid-October, limited to only six games this season, but could return to the lineup on Friday against the New Jersey Devils. The 26-year-old Czech forward had three goals in six games before his injury, but has unfortunately had trouble staying healthy over the past few seasons.
Sherwood has not played in nearly two weeks due to an undisclosed injury, and his first game with the San Jose Sharks will have to wait, but it should be before the Olympic break. The 29-year-old hard-hitting Sherwood truly broke out last season, scoring 40 points (19G / 21A) and recording an absurd 462 hits in 78 games. He has continued the 2025-26 season on a similar pace, with 23 points (17G / 6A) and 210 hits through 44 games.
Kuemper missed two weeks in mid-December due to an upper-body injury, and though it's unclear if this injury is related, his presence at practice on Thursday is an encouraging sign. Anton Forsberg will likely be between the pipes if Kuemper is not ready to play on Sunday against the St. Louis Blues.
Huberdeau was a surprise absence on Wednesday, with the Flames not announcing it until before warmups, but he is expected to play on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The 32-year-old Huberdeau is having a disappointing season, with only 21 points (8G / 13A) in 44 games. He has been held off the scoresheet in 11 of his last 13 games.
Halliday made his NHL debut earlier this season, recording six points (0G / 6A) in 18 games, but has split time with Belleville (AHL). The 23-year-old Halliday was drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He will draw into the lineup for an injured David Perron (sports hernia).
Suter has not played in nearly four weeks because of a high-ankle sprain, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. The 29-year-old Swiss forward has 14 points (7G / 7A) in 37 games this season.
Sergei Bobrovsky has struggled the past few weeks, resulting in a slight uptick in playing time for Tarasov, who will return to the crease on Thursday. The 26-year-old Tarasov has a 2.64 GAA and .908 SV% in his last five games (3-1-1). The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as slight -102 road underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets team that has points in six of their last seven games (5-1-1).
Sergei Bobrovsky has struggled the past few weeks, resulting in a slight uptick in playing time for Tarasov, who will likely return to the crease on Thursday. The 26-year-old Tarasov has a 2.64 GAA and .908 SV% in his last five games (3-1-1). The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as slight -102 road underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets team that has points in six of their last seven games (5-1-1).
Perron is averaging only 13:26 time-on-ice, his lowest total since his rookie season in 2007-08, but he has remained productive, with 25 points (10G / 15A) in 49 games. That said,the 37-year-old veteran forward will be sidelined into March because of a sports hernia injury.
Johansson has been sidelined for the last week because of a lower-body injury, but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 35-year-old Johansson is pacing for career-best offensive totals, with 34 points (13G / 21A) in 46 games. That said, his production has cooled down in recent weeks, with only two points (1G / 1A) in his last eight games.
Eriksson Ek has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury two weeks ago, but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old Eriksson Ek is averaging 19:34 time-on-ice and has 32 points (11G / 21A) in 45 games this season. If he is able to play, expect him to return to his role on the team's top powerplay unit.
Gustavsson has battled through some inconsistencies lately, but saved 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%) in his previous outing to salvage a 6-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 27-year-old Swedish goalie has a 2.67 GAA and .892 SV% in his last eight games (4-2-2). Minnesota enters the action on Thursday as -140 home favorites against a surging Detroit Red Wings team that defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime last night to improve to 7-1-0 in their last eight games.
Knight is coming off his third shutout of the season, an outstanding 32-save performance in a 2-0 win over the Winnipeg Jets, and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 24-year-old Knight has strung together an impressive 1.98 GAA and .935 SV% in his last five games (3-2-0). That said, the Blackhawks enter Thursday's contest as significant +255 road underdogs against a Hurricanes team that has outscored its opposition 15-3 during a three-game winning streak.
The Senators have received steadier goaltending since acquiring Reimer, and he will return to the crease on Thursday for a third consecutive start. The 37-year-old goalie was terrific in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, saving 20 of 21 shots (.955 SV%). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as -114 road favorites against a Nashville Predators team that has been outscored 12-5 during a two-game losing streak (0-2-0).
Rantanen was a late omission from the Stars' lineup on Tuesday because of an illness, and he will remain sidelined on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 29-year-old Ranatnen has 63 points (19G / 44A) in 48 games this season. The team is hopeful he can return to the lineup tomorrow against the St. Louis Blues.
DeSmith played well in his most recent game, saving 22 of 24 shots (.917 SV%), but suffered a 3-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Despite a 1-2-1 record, DeSmith has remained consistent while his team has struggled, posting a 2.34 GAA and .907 SV% over the past two weeks. The Stars enter Thursday's contest as -112 road favorites against a Columbus Blue Jackets team whose four-game winning streak was snapped on Tuesday in a 4-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators.
Hellebuyck was solid in his most recent outing, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%), but received no goal support in a 2-0 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. The 32-year-old Hellebuyck struggled after returning from a knee injury, posting a 3.14 GAA and .876 SV% in 10 games (0-6-4), but seems to be rounding back into form, with a 2.81 GAA and .905 SV% in his last five (3-1-1). The Jets enter Thursday's contest as slight -109 home favorites against a Florida Panthers team that has lost two of their last three games (1-2-0).
McDonagh has been plagued by injuries this season, playing only 18 games, but is expected to return before the Olympic Break in two weeks. The 36-year-old defenseman has eight points (4G / 4A) and is averaging 20:00 time-on-ice.
After outscoring their opposition 11-0 during a two-game winning streak, the Oilers had trouble finding the net on Tuesday, failing to generate goal support for Jarry in a 2-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils. The 30-year-old Jarry has played well since joining the Oilers, posting a 2.48 GAA and .904 SV% in six games (4-1-1). The Oilers enter Thursday's contest as -162 home favorites against Jarry's former team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, who they defeated 6-4 a month ago.
