NHL Hockey Player News

After evenly alternating goalies for the first two weeks of the season, the Sabres settled into starting Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for the last five games. That said, they will likely return to Levi between the pipes on Friday in the front end of a back-to-back. The 23-year-old Levi started the season strong in his first two outings before a disastrous performance, allowing six goals on 25 shots (.760 SV%) in a 6-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, keeping him from occupying the net in two weeks. The Sabres enter the action on Friday as -111 home favorites against a New York Islanders club that has scored only 22 goals this season, tied for fewest in the league.

With Tomas Nosek (upper-body) ready to draw into the lineup and debut with the Panthers on Friday, Giles has been sent down to the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). The 24-year-old Giles made his NHL debut with the Panthers this season but was held off the scoresheet in all nine games.

Dewar is eligible to play with the Marlies for six days and three games as he works his way back from offseason shoulder surgery. Upon returning from the Marlies, Dewar will be in the mix to play on the Maple Leafs' fourth line moving forward. Dewar had five points (1G / 4A) in 17 games after being traded to Toronto last season.

Hakanpää is eligible to play with the Marlies for six days and three games as he works his way back from arthroscopic knee surgery. Upon returning from the Marlies, Hakanpää will be in the mix as the Maple Leafs' No.6 defenseman with Conor Timmins and Matt Benning.

Nosek missed the first 11 games of the season but will make his season debut Friday in Finland. Nosek, who had six points (2G / 4A) in 36 games last season, will centre the Panthers' fourth line with A.J. Greer and Mackie Samoskevich on his wings.

Oettinger stopped 22 of 24 shots in the Stars 4-2 win over the Blackhawks last Saturday. Oettinger has had an elite start to the 2024-24 season, going 5-1-0 with a 1.84 GAA, .938 SV% and one shutout in his first six outings. Friday's game in Finland is a coin-flip, with the Stars listed at -109.

The move comes just hours after Stienburg was assessed a two-game suspension. Stienburg was assessed 17 minutes in penalties, including a game misconduct, in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Tampa Lightning for charging Erik Cernak.

Parssinen will fill in for Mark Jankowski, who is out with an upper-body injury. Parssinen has played in just one game this season, registering an assist and a -3 rating.

Del Gaizo will make just his fourth appearance of the season when the Oilers come to town on Thursday. Dante Fabbro will sit in his place.

With no reason being given for his absence, Fabbro appears to be a healthy scratch. Marc Del Gaizo will draw into the lineup in his place.

Jankowski was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. Jankowski has no goals and one assist in nine games this season.

The Predators will unsurprisingly turn to their franchise netminder when they welcome the Connor McDavid-less Oilers to Nashville on Thursday. Saros got stuck with the loss his last time out, allowing three goals on 27 shots in a 3-2 overtime defeat at the hands of the Lightning. The 10-year-veteran now owns a 2-4-1 record on the season along with a .905 SV%. Saros is a decent bet to get back in the win column tonight as Nashville enters action as slight favourites at -130.

Johnston will be the odd-man out on Thursday when the Ducks travel to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins. Brett Leason draws into the lineup in his place.

Leason re-enters the lineup in place of Ross Johnston, who is a healthy scratch. Leason has no goals and one assist in seven games this season.

Lizotte suffered a concussion during training camping and has missed the first 11 games of the season, but is finally ready to make his debut on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 28-year-old signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract in the offseason with Pittsburgh after five solid seasons in Los Angeles. In 62 games in 2023-24, Lizotte had seven goals, 15 points, 76 SOG and 20 PIMs while averaging just 11:49 TOI/GP.

Robertson will enter the lineup in place of Ryan Reaves, who is a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Robertson has been limited to only one point (1G / 0A) in nine games this season.

Daccord has seemingly taken over the crease in Seattle and will start between the pipes for a fourth straight game on Thursday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Daccord was stellar in his last outing, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%) in an 8-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens in his previous outing, and has a respectable 2.80 GAA and .914 SV% through six games this season (4-1-1). Seattle enters the action on Thursday as +164 road underdogs against a Maple Leafs club that has lost three of their last four (1-2-1).

Reaves will get the night off on Thursday when Seattle comes to town. Nick Robertson will draw into the lineup in his place.

Dostal is fresh off another fantastic start on Tuesday, allowing just a single goal on 41 shots against in a 3-1 victory on Long Island. The 24-year-old netminder has been one of the most underrated goaltenders in the early parts of the 2024-25 season, compiling a 4-2-1 record to go along with a ridiculous .943 SV% and 2.00 GAA. Despite the hot start, Dostal and the Ducks enter action in Pittsburgh on Thursday at +150 on the money line.

With Frederik Andersen still sidelined due to a minor injury, the Hurricanes will roll with Kochetkov for a second consecutive game. The 25-year-old Kochetkov has won three of four starts (3-1-0), allowing three or fewer goals three times, posting a 2.77 GAA and .894 SV%. The Hurricanes, riding a four-game winning streak, enter the action on Thursday as -169 home favorites against a Boston Bruins club with a 4-5-1 record.