NHL Hockey Player News

Vasilevskiy was tremendous in his previous outing, posting his second shutout of the season with a 28-save performance in a 2-0 win over the Utah Mammoth. The 31-year-old goalie has been otherworldly in recent weeks, proving why he is regularly considered one of the NHL's top goalies, boasting a dazzling 1.41 GAA and .939 SV% in his last nine games (8-0-1). Tampa Bay enters the action on Thursday as -181 home favourites against a Winnipeg Jets team that has lost four of its last six games (2-2-2).

After serving as Mackenzie Blackwood's backup on Wednesday, Wedgewood will unsurprisingly get the nod for the tail-end of Colorado's back-to-back on Thursday. Wedgewood was unfortunate to be tagged with the loss in his last outing, allowing just a single goal on 17 shots in a shootout loss to the Ducks back on January 21st. Wedgewood has been outstanding when called upon this season, putting up a 20-3-5 record along with a .918 SV% across 30 appearances. The Avalanche enter action on Thursday at -125 on the money line.

The Flyers will turn to Ersson between the pipes for the 22nd time this season when they travel to Boston on Thursday. Ersson was tagged with the loss in his last outing, allowing four goals on 23 shots in a 4-0 shutout loss to the Islanders on Monday. The 26-year-old netminder is in the midst of another disappointing season, registering an .860 SV% and 3.39 GAA through 23 appearances. Ersson and the Flyers enter action on Thursday at +125 on the money line.

Bussi has been exquisite in recent games, riding a three-game winning streak while posting a sensational 1.02 GAA and .957 SV%. The 27-year-old first-year NHLer has been a revelation in Carolina's crease this season and has won eight of his last 10 games (8-2-0). The Hurricanes enter the action on Tuesday as -162 home favourites against a Montreal Canadiens team that defeated them 7-5 earlier this month.

Vejmelka was terrific in his most recent outing, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a 2-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, a rare loss for the Czech goalie, who has been tremendous in recent weeks. The 29-year-old Vejmelka has a dazzling 2.01 GAA and .925 SV% in his last nine games (8-1-0). Still, the Mammoth enter the action on Thursday as +151 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes team with points in five straight games (4-0-1).

Igor Shesterkin remains unavailable due to a lower-body injury, so the Rangers will be sticking with Quick between the pipes for Thursday's game against the Islanders. Quick has struggled in Shesterkin's absence, but he did manage to secure a victory in his last start. The 19-year-veteran made 21 saves on 24 shots in a 4-3 overtime win over the Bruins on Monday. Quick brings a 4-11-2 record and an .884 SV% into Thursday night's matchup, where the Rangers enter action at +115 on the money line.

Cizikas played last night, but will exit the lineup on Thursday because of an illness. The 34-year-old Cizikas is averaging 11:34 time-on-ice and has 14 points (6G / 8A) in 53 games this season. Maxim Shabanov will draw into the lineup to replace Cizikas.

Casey Cizikas (illness) will not play on Thursday, allowing Shabanov to re-enter the lineup against the Rangers. The 25-year-old Shabanov has 15 points (4G / 11A) in 38 games this season.

The Flyers will turn to Ersson on the tail end of a back-to-back, desperate for a win after losing 5-3 last night to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 26-year-old Ersson allowed four goals on 23 shots (.826 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-0 loss to the New York Islanders, but has played better lately, salvaging points in three of his last four starts (2-1-1). The Flyers enter Thursday's contest as +133 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins team with points in four straight games (3-0-1).

Jost has only played once in nearly two weeks, but will re-enter the lineup on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 27-year-old Jost is averaging 11:28 time-on-ice and has seven points (3G / 4A) in 39 games this season.

Dostal had the night off in Anaheim's previous game, the team’s first loss in eight games (7-1-0), but he hopes to continue his winning streak on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 25-year-old Czech goalie has been excellent lately, posting a 1.95 GAA and .931 SV% in his last six games (6-0-0). The Ducks enter the action on Thursday as -142 road favourites against a Vancouver Canucks team on a three-game losing streak (0-3-0).

Englund made his season debut in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins, going scoreless in 7:43 time-on-ice. He played 35 games last season, split between the Nashville Predators and Los Angeles Kings, but had spent the entirety of the 2025-26 season in the AHL. The 30-year-old defenseman has six points (2G / 4A) in 34 games with Milwaukee (AHL) this season.

Annunen was solid in his previous outing, saving all 13 shots he faced in relief of Juuse Saros in a 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The 25-year-old Annunen has seen limited action in recent weeks, but has been mostly serviceable when called upon, posting a 2.61 GAA and .912 SV% in seven appearances (3-2-0). The Predators enter the action on Thursday as +112 road underdogs against a New Jersey Devils team on a two-game losing streak (0-2-0).

Sam Colangelo will draw back into Anaheim's lineup on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks, sending Strome to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. After six consecutive seasons with 40 or more points, Strome has struggled to produce this season. The 32-year-old forward has just eight points (3G / 5A) in 32 games.

Ryan Strome will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Colangelo to re-enter the lineup against the Vancouver Canucks. The 24-year-old Colangelo has been out of the lineup for nearly two weeks. He has one goal in eight games this season.

Terry has been sidelined for over three weeks because of an upper-body injury. He returned to practice on Wednesday, but will miss at least one more game. The 28-year-old Terry is having an excellent season, with 42 points (13G / 29A) in 43 games. He had seven points (3G / 4A) in his last five games before his injury.

Holl played 73 games with the Red Wings last season, but has spent the entirety of the 2025-26 campaign playing in the AHL for the first time in nearly a decade. The 33-year-old defenseman has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 31 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) this season.

Dries has 26 points (16G / 10A) in 122 career NHL games, but has played exclusively in the AHL since the 2022-23 season. The 31-year-old has 28 points (14G / 14A) in 32 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) this season.

Ross Colton (lower body) will return from a multi-game absence on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens, resulting in Makar being a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Makar is averaging 6:22 time-on-ice and has zero points in nine games this season.

Colton has not played in over a week because of a lower-body injury, but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 29-year-old Colton has 20 points (5G / 15A) in 48 games this season. Taylor Makar will exit the lineup to accommodate Colton's return.