Dermott has not played since December 20th, but will return to the lineup for the first time in five games on Thursday against the Washington Capitals. The 28-year-old Dermott is averaging 12:22 time-on-ice and has a -4 plus/minus in 12 games this season.
Minnesota will turn to Fleury between the pipes for the first time in two weeks. Fleury was unsuccessful in his most recent outing, allowing two goals on 18 shots (.889 SV%) in a 2-1 loss to the Utah Hockey Club. The veteran 40-year-old Fleury has a 2.81 GAA and .898 SV% through 11 games this season (6-3-1). Minnesota enters Thursday's contest as +142 road underdogs against a Washington Capitals team coming off a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins.
Ville Heinola will draw back into Winnipeg's lineup on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks, sending Coghlan to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Coghlan has only played three games this season, averaging 15:11 time-on-ice and scoring zero points.
Dylan Coghlan will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks, allowing Heinola to re-enter the lineup. The 23-year-old Heinola is averaging 13:43 time-on-ice, recording zero points in 11 games.
Middleton was the fourth-round pick, 101st overall, of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He has been a product of the Avalanche since the 2020-21 season but had only played three NHL games before this season. In 10 games this season, the 26-year-old Middleton is averaging 10:31 time-on-ice and has zero points, 10 blocks, and 14 hits. He signed a two-year, $1.55 million contract extension ($775,000 AAV).
The Jets gave Hellebuyck a rare night off in their previous game, a 5-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, but will return to him on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 31-year-old Hellebuyck has been outstanding this season, a favorite for the Vezina trophy, posting an absurd 2.00 GAA and .930 SV% in 30 games this season (24-5-1). The Jets enter Thursday's contest as significant -273 home favorites against a Ducks squad riding a two-game winning streak.
Fehervary was limited to only 14:10 time-on-ice before exiting Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins with an upper-body injury. The 25-year-old Slovak defenseman is averaging 19:24 time-on-ice, recording seven points (0G / 7A), 79 blocks, and 69 hits in 37 games this season.
Dach was recalled on Thursday and will likely make his NHL debut on Friday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 21-year-old Dach is in his second professional season, scoring 25 points (12G / 13A) in 30 games with the Rockford IceHogs (AHL).
The Panthers were shut out 4-0 in consecutive games last week but responded with a 5-3 win over the New York Rangers, in which Bobrovsky saved 33 of 36 shots (.917 SV%). The 36-year-old Bobrovsky has had an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign, recording a 2.81 GAA and .896 SV% in 25 games (17-7-1). The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as -119 home favorites against a Carolina Hurricanes club coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Back has impressed in a fourth-line role in his first NHL season and has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension. The 24-year-old forward has nine points (1G / 8A) in 31 games with Dallas this season.
Fehervary was limited to only 14:10 time-on-ice before exiting Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins with an upper-body injury. The 25-year-old Slovak defenseman is averaging 19:24 time-on-ice, recording seven points (0G / 7A), 79 blocks, and 69 hits in 37 games this season.
The Capitals lost their last two games when Lindgren was in the crease, but they will try to correct that downward trend on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. Lindgren allowed four goals on 27 shots (.852 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The Minnesota native has a 2.69 GAA and .898 SV% in 18 games this season (10-8-0). Washington enters Thursday's contest as -155 home favorites against a Minnesota club that has won three of their last four (3-1-0).
The Capitals lost their last two games when Lindgren was in the crease, but they will try to correct that downward trend on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. Lindgren allowed four goals on 27 shots (.852 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The Minnesota native has a 2.69 GAA and .898 SV% in 18 games this season (10-8-0). Washington enters Thursday's contest as -155 home favorites against a Minnesota club that has won three of their last four (3-1-0).
The struggling Rangers have been outscored 19-6 in their last four games (0-4-0) and will turn to Quick between the pipes on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. Quick allowed five goals on 25 shots (.833 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils on December 23rd. He has a 2.69 GAA and .907 SV% in 12 appearances this season (5-4-0). The Rangers enter Thursday's contest as slight -106 home favorites against a Bruins club coming off a 3-1 loss to the Washington Capitals.
Anderson hasn't played the previous three games and has been assigned to the Rockford IceHogs (AHL). The 26-year-old Anderson has spent most of the season with the Blackhawks, averaging 12:24 time-on-ice and scoring zero points (0G / 1A) in 18 games.
The Islanders will roll with Sorokin between the pipes for the 14th time in the last 15 games. Sorokin was solid in his most recent outing, a 3-1 losing effort to the Toronto Maple Leafs, saving 22 of 24 shots (.917 SV%). That said, Sorokin has struggled this season, posting a 2.92 GAA and .898 SV% in 27 games (11-12-4). He has an ugly .868 SV% in his last 11 games (5-6-0). The Islanders enter Thursday's rematch against the Maple Leafs as slight -106 home favorites.
Stillman was signed by the Hurricanes in the offseason but has yet to play a game in the 2024-25 season. His last NHL game was in the 2022-23 season as a member of the Buffalo Sabres when he had three points (1G / 2A) in 18 games. He has four points (1G / 3A) in nine games with the Chicago Wolves (AHL) this season.
Nichushkin exited Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets in the second period after only 11:54 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old Nichushkin has played well since debuting in November, scoring 17 points (11G / 6A) in his last 18 games. His next chance to return to the lineup will be on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens but he is expected to miss 7-10 days so that looks unlikely.
