NHL Hockey Player News

Hofer delivered a dazzling 25-save shutout in the Blues' season opener, validating Head Coach Jim Montgomery's decision to bench veteran Jordan Binnington, but Hofer has been inconsistent since. That said, the 26-year-old Hofer is coming off a tremendous performance, saving 32 of 33 shots (.919 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. He has a 2.19 GAA and .919 SV% in six games (3-2-1). The Blues enter Thursday's matchup as +113 home underdogs against a Vegas Golden Knights team coming off a disappointing 6-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Bourque has missed the past four game with an upper-body injury, but was back at practice on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Bourque was playing a meaningful middle-six role for the Predators before his injury, scoring one assist in four games.

Rifai has only played five career NHL games, but is coming off a career-high 19:14 time on ice. That said, he is battling an undisclosed injury, and his status for Thursday's game against the New York Rangers is uncertain. The 28-year-old defenseman has one goal in two games this season.

The Devils are coming off an impressive 4-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche, thanks to a strong performance by Jake Allen, but they will turn to Daws on Thursday. The 25-year-old Daws has only played three of nine games this season (1-2-0), posting a subpar 3.38 GAA and .857 SV%. That said, he was solid in his most recent outing, saving 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) in a 7-1 win over the New York Rangers. The Devils enter Thursday's action as significant -201 home favourites against a struggling Anaheim Ducks team that has been outscored 16-8 during a four-game losing streak (0-4-0).

Suzuki played 21:03 time on ice in Montreal's previous game, a 4-3 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks, and scored two points (1G / 1A), but has been ruled out for the next several weeks with an upper-body injury. The Canadiens have been outscored 34-30 over nine games this season (4-3-2) and will be tested without their number-one center. The 27-year-old Suzuki is coming off a career-best 101-point season and started 2026-27 strong, with 12 points (5G / 7A) in nine games.

Ullmark exited Ottawa's previous game in the third period with a lower-body injury and will miss at least one week before he is eligible to be activated from Injured Reserve. The 33-year-old Swedish goalie has had a terrific start this season, posting a dazzling 1.33 GAA and .945 SV% in eight games (7-1-0). Expect Sam Ersson to get most of the action while Ullmark's out. Ottawa recalled Jonas Johansson from Belleville (AHL) in a corresponding move.

Linus Ullmark (lower body) exited Ottawa's previous game in the third period and will miss at least one week, resulting in the team recalling Johansson from Belleville (AHL). The 31-year-old Johansson has never thrived at the NHL level, but he has plenty of experience, posting a 3.29 GAA and .889 SV% in 105 career appearances (43-36-14).

McCabe exited Toronto's previous game in the first period after just 4:15 time-on-ice with an upper-body injury. That said, he was back at morning skate on Thursday and should play against the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old defenseman has zero pints, 21 blocks, and 15 hits in 11 games.

Beck played two games with Montreal earlier this season, but has yet to become a full-time player at the NHL level. The 22-year-old forward, the 33rd-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, has two points (1G / 1A) in five games with Laval (AHL) this season.

The Penguins, losers of four straight (0-4-0), hope to rebound on Thursday, turning to Silovs in net. The 25-year-old Latvian goalie had an encouraging start to the season, recording a shutout in his first game, but has struggled since, allowing five goals in four of his last five games (2-3-0). He has an ugly 3.51 GAA and .866 SV% in six games (3-3-0) this season. The Penguins enter Thursday's matchup as slight -113 home favourites against a Florida Panthers team coming off a 5-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators last night.

The Bruins have been stout defensively to start the season, allowing just 22 goals in 10 games, but they haven't leaned hard on rookie Michael DiPietro. That said, DiPietro has played well in limited action, including saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks for his first career win. The Bruins enter Thursday's contest as -140 home favourites against a Nashville Predators team that has scored two or fewer goals in three of their last four games (1-1-2).

The Devils are coming off an impressive 4-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche, thanks to a strong performance by Jake Allen, but they will turn to Daws on Thursday. The 25-year-old Daws has only played three of nine games this season (1-2-0), posting a subpar 3.38 GAA and .857 SV%. That said, he was solid in his most recent outing, saving 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) in a 7-1 win over the New York Rangers. The Devils enter Thursday's action as significant -201 home favourites against a struggling Anaheim Ducks team that has been outscored 16-8 during a four-game losing streak (0-4-0).

After being sidelined from November 2024 until the start of this season, the Islanders have used Varlamov sparingly, but he will return to the crease for his third start on Thursday. The veteran 38-year-old goalie showed some rust in his return to action, allowing three goals on 22 shots (.864 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers, but had an encouraging performance in his second outing, saving 19 of 20 shots (.950 SV%) in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Islanders enter Thursday's action as slight -113 home favourites against a 1-4-2 Los Angeles Kings team that is coming off their first win of the season.

The Maple Leafs are riding their first winning streak of the season and hope to extend it to three games on Thursday against the New York Rangers, with Bobrovsky between the pipes. The 38-year-old Bobrovsky has had an up-and-down start with the Maple Leafs, but he's coming off a tremendous performance, stopping 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the San Jose Sharks. He has a 2.96 GAA and .902 SV% in seven games (2-3-2). The Maple Leafs enter Thursday's contest as slight -104 home underdogs against a surprising 7-3-1 Rangers team.

The Bruins have been stout defensively to start the season, allowing just 22 goals in 10 games, but they haven't leaned hard on rookie Michael DiPietro. That said, DiPietro has played well in limited action, including saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks for his first career win. The Bruins enter Thursday's contest as -140 home favourites against a Nashville Predators team that has scored two or fewer goals in three of their last four games (1-1-2).

After being sidelined from November 2024 until the start of this season, the Islanders have used Varlamov sparingly, but he will return to the crease for his third start on Thursday. The veteran 38-year-old goalie showed some rust in his return to action, allowing three goals on 22 shots (.864 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers, but had an encouraging performance in his second outing, saving 19 of 20 shots (.950 SV%) in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Islanders enter Thursday's action as slight -113 home favourites against a 1-4-2 Los Angeles Kings team that is coming off their first win of the season.

The Maple Leafs are riding their first winning streak of the season and hope to extend it to three games on Thursday against the New York Rangers, with Bobrovsky between the pipes. The 38-year-old Bobrovsky has had an up-and-down start with the Maple Leafs, but he's coming off a tremendous performance, stopping 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the San Jose Sharks. He has a 2.96 GAA and .902 SV% in seven games (2-3-2). The Maple Leafs enter Thursday's contest as slight -104 home underdogs against a surprising 7-3-1 Rangers team.

The Pittsburgh Penguins released a statement on Tuesday saying they had to divert a team flight due to a medical emergency involving Ben Kindel. He has since been placed on Injured Reserve due to a vasovagal issue. It's unclear what his recovery status is, but he will likely miss some time as he continues to be evaluated and navigates the best path toward a return.

Rust was sidelined at the start of the season with an upper-body injury and will miss at least one more game before he is eligible to return after being placed on Injured Reserve with a lower-body injury. The 34-year-old is coming off consecutive career-best 65-point seasons, but he has battled some injuries, missing at least 10 games in each of the past three seasons.