NHL Hockey Player News

Vanecek was excellent in relief of Karel Vejmelka on Tuesday, saving all 10 shots he faced, but the game was already out of reach for Utah, losing 5-2 to the Edmonton Oilers. The 30-year-old Vanecek has played well lately, posting an impressive 1.86 GAA and .923 SV% in five appearances (2-1-1) since the beginning of March. The Mammoth enter Thursday's contest as -137 home favourites against Vejmelka's former team, the Washington Capitals, who have only scored four combined goals in their last three games (1-1-1).

Yamamoto is one of two lineup changes for the Mammoth on Thursday, as Barrett Hayton was already ruled out with an upper-body injury. Brandon Tanev and Daniil But will draw into the lineup.

It's unclear when Crosby suffered the undisclosed injury, but he left the game after just 6:39 of ice time and did not return. We should get an update on his status ahead of Pittsburgh's game against the Stars on Saturday.

Toffoli has been sidelined with a lower-body injury for a week, but will return on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. The 33-year-old Toffoli has 44 points (18G / 26A) in 67 games this season and would add a much-needed offensive boost for a Sharks team that is struggling to stay in playoff contention.

Leddy will slot into the lineup on Thursday in favour of John Klingberg. Leddy has zero goals and four assists in 22 games this season.

It's unclear whether Klingberg is simply a healthy scratch or if he's dealing with an undisclosed injury. Nick Leddy will draw into the lineup in his place.

Wiesblatt will slot back into the lineup on Thursday in place of Joakim Kemell. Wiesblatt has one goal and four assists in 38 games this season.

Kemell will be the odd-man out when the Predators host the Devils on Thursday. Ozzy Wiesblatt will dress in his place.

While Juuse Saros was out with a lower-body injury for several games last week, Annunen shone for the Predators and proved himself to be a reliable option between the pipes. The 26-year-old Annunen saved 39 of 40 shots (.975 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, giving him a stellar 2.34 GAA and .921 SV% in 15 appearances since the beginning of December (7-5-1). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as slight -107 home favourites against a New Jersey Devils team that has scored four or more goals in five of their last six games (4-2-0).

After two consecutive starts for Jake Allen, the Devils will turn to Markstrom on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. The 36-year-old Markstrom is on a two-game winning streak but has been far from stellar, allowing three or more goals in six consecutive outings (4-2-0), posting a subpar 3.29 GAA and .863 SV%. The Devils enter Thursday's contest with -105 odds on the road against a red-hot Predators team on a five-game winning streak.

Melanson will be the odd-man out when the Kraken travel to Tampa Bay on Thursday. He will replaced by the recently recalled Oscar Fisker-Molgaard.

Fisker-Molgaard made his NHL debut earlier this season, scoring one assist in three games, and has been recalled by a Seattle team desperate for an offensive uptick. The 21-year-old second-round pick from the 2023 NHL Entry Draft has 32 points (10G / 22A) in 46 games this season with the Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL).

Amid a five-game losing streak (0-4-1), Seattle will try to right their ship by turning to Grubauer on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 34-year-old Grubauer didn't provide much optimism in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 25 shots (.800 SV%) in a 6-2 loss to the same Lightning team. Since returning from the Olympic break, Grubauer has a 3.49 GAA and .875 SV% in five appearances (1-3-0). Seattle enters Thursday's contest as sizable +248 road underdogs against a Tampa Bay team on a five-game point streak (4-0-1).

George will take a seat on Thursday when the Islanders host the Stars. He'll be replaced by Ryan Pulock, who is returning from a lower-body injury.

Pulock has not played the past two games for the Islanders due to a lower-body injury, but is ready to return on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. The 31-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:59 time-on-ice and has 25 points (3G / 22A) in 67 games this season.

Sabourin will immediately exit the lineup after drawing in for Tuesday's game against the Wild. Oliver Bjorkstrand will dress in his place.

Bjorkstrand will draw right back into the lineup after sitting out Tuesday's game against the Wild. Scott Sabourin will sit in his place.

Dobes has become the most reliable netminder for the Canadiens over the past few weeks and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. In his last six games (4-2-0), the 24-year-old Czech goalie has dazzled with a solid 2.20 GAA and .926 SV%. The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as slight -112 home favourites against a Blue Jackets team that is 5-1-0 in their last six games.

Veleno will slot into the lineup on Thursday in place of Alexandre Texier. Veleno has two goals and two assists in 51 games this season.

Texier will take a seat on Thursday in favour of Joe Veleno. Texier has appeared in 46 games this season, tallying eight goals and 12 assists.