NHL Hockey Player News

Rittich had a forgetful stat on October 30th, allowing six goals on 34 shots (.824 SV%) in a 6-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, but returned to the crease three days later, saving 20 of 22 (.909 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 33-year-old Rittich has been used sparingly this season but has shown more good than bad, posting a 3.01 GAA and .902 SV% in four games. Rittich returns to the crease on Friday against a Minnesota Wild team playing the tail end of a back-to-back.

Trocheck has not played since suffering an upper-body injury in the second game of the season, but appears to be making strides for returning after returning to practice this week. The 32-year-old Trocheck scored 59 points (26G / 33A) in 82 games last season.

Samuel Ersson (undisclosed) has returned to practicing and is nearing a return, but Vladar will remain in the Flyers' crease on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. The 28-year-old Vladar has a solid 2.33 GAA and .912 SV% in eight games this season (5-3-0). That said, he has struggled in his last two games (1-1-0), allowing four goals in both outings. The Flyers enter Thursday's contest as +108 road underdogs against a Nashville Predators team with points in three straight games (1-0-2).

For the first time this season, Minnesota has won consecutive games and will try to extend its winning streak to three when Gustavsson tends the twine on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Gustavsson has been solid in his last two games (2-0-0), saving 58 of 62 combined shots (.935 SV%). The 27-year-old goalie has a 3.11 GAA and .900 SV% in 11 games this season (4-6-1). Minnesota enters Thursday's contest as +167 road underdogs against a Hurricanes team that has lost three of its last five games (2-3-0).

Daemon Hunt will make his season debut on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes, sending Jiricek to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 21-year-old Jiricek has yet to score a point in 10 games this season, but has seen sheltered minutes, averaging only 12:40 time-on-ice while playing on Minnesota's bottom defensive pair.

David Jiricek will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes, allowing Hunt to enter the lineup for his season debut. The 23-year-old Hunt spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, where he scored 14 points (2G / 12A) in 48 games with the Cleveland Monsters.

The Blues have been abysmal defensively this season, allowing a league-worst 59 goals through 14 games (4.21 GA / GP). Jordan Binnington was between the pipes last night in another blowout loss, 6-1 to the Washington Capitals. The team will hope for some stability on Thursday when Hofer tends the twine against the Buffalo Sabres. The 25-year-old Hofer is showcasing an ugly 5.02 GAA and .836 SV% in six appearances this season (1-3-0). The Blues enter Thursday's contest as +113 road underdogs against a Sabres team with points in seven straight games (3-0-4).

The Senators return to the ice after a five-day break and will turn to Ullmark between the pipes against the Boston Bruins. Ullmark has played better lately, helping his team record a point in five of his last six starts (3-1-2), with a 3.00 GAA and .873 SV%. However, his inconsistent play has raised concerns. The 32-year-old goalie has a 3.41 GA and .861 SV% in 11 games this season (5-4-2). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as -138 road favorites against a Bruins team riding a four-game winning streak.

Zuccarello was originally scheduled to be out of the lineup until late November, but finds himself a couple of weeks ahead of schedule, on the precipice of returning to the lineup. The 38-year-old Zuccarello has remained productive for Minnesota over the years, playing primarily alongside Kirill Kaprizov, including scoring 54 points (19G / 35A) in 69 games last season.

Kane has not played since suffering an upper-body injury on October 17th, missing nine games, but appears to be nearing a return after returning to practice on Thursday. The 36-year-old Kane was off to a hot start this season, scoring five points (2G / 3A) in five games. Red Wings' head coach Todd McLellan said Kane could be an option on Friday against the New York Rangers.

Brown played the first 11 games for the Devils this season, but will miss a third straight due to an undisclosed injury. The 31-year-old Brown is averaging 15:47 time-on-ice and has six points (5G / 1A) in 11 games this season. His next opportunity to return will be on Saturday when the Devils host the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Miller has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on October 20th, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. The 25-year-old Miller was off to a strong start with the Hurricanes, averaging 23:32 time-on-ice and scoring four points (2G / 2A) in six games while spending some time quarterback the team's top powerplay unit.

The Senators return to the ice after a five-day break and will turn to Ullmark between the pipes against the Boston Bruins. Ullmark has played better lately, helping his team record a point in five of his last six starts (3-1-2), with a 3.00 GAA and .873 SV%. However, his inconsistent play has raised concerns. The 32-year-old goalie has a 3.41 GA and .861 SV% in 11 games this season (5-4-2). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as -138 road favorites against a Bruins team riding a four-game winning streak.

Oettinger recently welcomed his first child and, as such, served as the Stars' backup in their previous two games, but he will return to the crease on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. After an inconsistent start to the season, Oettinger has been excellent in his last three outings (2-0-1), posting a superb 1.30 GAA and .953 SV%. He has a 2.53 GAA and .913 SV% in nine games this season (5-2-2). The Stars enter Thursday's contest as -175 home favorites against a Ducks team that has outscored their opposition 19-8 during a four-game winning streak.

Hintz has not played since receiving an open-ice hit from Carolina's Taylor Hall on October 25th, missing five straight games. He is a game-time decision for Thursday's game against the Anaheim Ducks. The 28-year-old Hintz has eight points (1G / 7A) in eight games this season.

The Metropolitan Division-leading New Jersey Devils will turn to Markstrom between the pipes on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. Markstrom has struggled this season, posting an ugly 4.17 GAA and .875 SV% in five games (3-2-0). That said, since signing a two-year contract extension last week ($6 million AAV), Markstrom has only played one game, which was his best performance of the season, saving 43 of 44 shots (.977 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings. The Devils enter Thursday's contest as -134 home favorites against a Canadiens team that leads the Eastern Conference with a 9-3-1 record.

Glass has not played since October 21st, missing seven games with an upper-body injury, but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 26-year-old Glass is averaging 12:34 time-on-ice and has two points (2G / 0A) in six games with the Devils this season.

Koppanen split his 2024-25 season between the NHL and AHL, but spent most of the season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL), where he had 23 points (8G / 15A) in 56 games. Koppanen has just one goal and one assist in 20 career NHL games since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2016 NHL Draft.

Hallander left Wednesday's practice early with an undisclosed injury and will not play on Thursday. Hallander has spent parts of the 2025-26 season playing alongside Sidney Crosby, and has tallied four points (1G / 3A) in 12 games. With Hallander unable to suit up, expect Ben Kindel to take his spot on Pittsburgh's top line.