NHL Hockey Player News

Thornton was hurt early in the third period of Wednesday's loss to the Oilers and did not return. Thornton was not on the ice for Thursday's practice and is scheduled to undergo an MRI. Early indications are that Thornton is going to miss some time. Look for Jimmy Vesey to skate with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner on Friday.

This isn't surprising, considering head coach Paul Maurice listed him as doubtful on Wednesday. Laine skated briefly on Wednesday, so he isn't expected to be sidelined long-term.

Vesalainen sat as a healthy scratch in the first three games of the season but will draw into the lineup on Thursday. Head coach Paul Maurice did not disclose who Vesalainen will replace but he comes in with one assist in five career NHL games.

Niku appeared in the first three games of the season but will sit in favour of Ville Heinola on Thursday. Head coach Paul Maurice was critical of Niku's game to start the season, so it could be a while before he gets back into the lineup.

Heinola is a talented offensive defenseman that will replace Sami Niku and skate on a pair with Josh Morrissey on Thursday. The 19-year-old had four assists in seven games with Finland at the 2021 World Juniors and picked up five points (1G / 4A) in eight NHL games a season ago.

Rask allowed one goal on 17 shots in the Bruins' 1-0 loss to the Islanders on Monday. The Bruins are trying to limit Rask's workload a bit, so Rask will start tonight and Jaroslav Halak will start Saturday. Rask has been steady so far, stopping 36 of the 39 shots (.923 SV%) that he's faced in two games. Tonight he faces a Flyers team that is already battling plenty of injury concerns.

Hart was pulled after allowing four goals on 22 shots in the Flyers blowout loss to Buffalo on Monday. Even though he was pulled, the Flyers stuck with their plan of starting Brian Elliott on Tuesday, so Hart comes into Thursday's game refreshed after a couple days off. So far, he's gone 2-1-0 while allowing a combined nine goals on 89 shots (.899 SV%) and tonight he faces a Bruins team that still hasn't scored at even strength this season.

Korpisalo allowed two goals on 37 shots in the Blue Jackets' win in Detroit on Monday. Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins have alternated starts to begin the season but Korpisalo has been the better of the two thus far. Korpisalo has stopped 67 of 71 shots (.944 SV%) in his first two outings but draws a terrible matchup tonight vs. the Lightning.

Myers suffered the injury on a hit from Jake McCabe, who also dislocated Morgan Frost's left shoulder in the same game. With Myers listed as week-to-week, he'll likely miss at least two weeks and Mark Friedman is expected to draw into the lineup for him on Thursday.

Both Hamonic and Alex Edler left Wednesday's game vs. Montreal and did not return. During his postgame press availability, head coach Travis Green did not have an update on either defenseman. If both aren't available for Thursday's game, look for Olli Juolevi and Jordie Benn to be in the lineup.

Both Edler and Travis Hamonic left Wednesday's game vs. Montreal and did not return. During his postgame press availability, head coach Travis Green did not have an update on either defenseman. If both aren't available for Thursday's game, look for Olli Juolevi and Jordie Benn to be in the lineup.

Forst dislocated his shoulder on a hit from Jake McCabe in Tuesday's win over the Sabres. The Flyers have listed Frost as "out indefinitely" and said they will provide further details on his timeline in the near future. Connor Bunnaman is expected to draw into the Flyers lineup for Frost on Thursday.

Grzelcyk left midway through Tuesday's game with an upper-body injury and did not return. However, Grzelcyk was back on the ice for Wednesday's practice session and head coach Bruce Cassidy said that he is "trending" towards playing on Thursday. Grzelcyk remains the QB of the Bruins' PP1, which keeps him in the fantasy conversation but the Bruins offence has been stagnant without David Pastrnak to kick-off the season.

Laine returned to the ice on Wednesday but head coach Paul Maurice still has him as doubtful to go Thursday in Ottawa. With Laine out on Tuesday, Kyle Connor was back with Mark Scheifele and Andrew Copp was elevated to the second line.