The Senators are riding a three-game winning streak, including a commanding 6-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres last night courtesy of Joonas Korpisalo, but will switch to Forsberg to tend the twine on the tail end of their back-to-back. Forsberg has struggled lately, losing two straight, allowing 11 goals on 64 combined shots (.828 SV%). That said, the Senators enter action as -174 home favourites against the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Blackhawks are riding a rare two-game winning streak and will likely have Mrazek in the crease for the third straight game. Mrazek was stellar in his last outing, saving 38 of 39 shots (.974 SV%) to hold off the Calgary Flames in a 3-1 victory. The Blackhawks enter action as +156 road underdogs against an Ottawa Senators that played last night, defeating the Buffalo Sabres 6-2.
The Penguins snapped a three-game losing skid on Tuesday courtesy of Nedeljkovic and will return to him between the pipes on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Nedeljkovic has started three of the last five games for the Penguins, and was especially impressive in his last outing, saving 38 of 39 shots (.974 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Penguins enter action as -224 home favourites.
The Flyers have two straight but will ride with Ersson in the crease for the second consecutive game on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. Ersson is coming off one of his worst performances of the season, allowing six goals on 27 shots (.778 SV%) in a 6-5 loss to the New York Rangers. Ersson was solid in his last outing against the Canadiens, saving 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout victory in January.
Matthews did not participate in the morning skate on Thursday due to an illness and will be a game-time decision against the Washington Capitals. The 26-year-old Matthews leads the league with 59 goals and is only one shy of his career-high. Matthews has 11 points (4G / 7A) during a five-game point streak.
The Panthers have lost five of their last six, recording their only win with Stolarz between the pipes. Stolarz was terrific on Sunday, saving 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%) in a 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, his sixth straight win. The Panthers enter action as -192 home favourites against a New York Islanders club that has lost seven of their last eight (1-6-1).
The Penguins snapped a three-game losing skid on Tuesday courtesy of Nedeljkovic and will likely return to him between the pipes on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Nedeljkovic has started three of the last five games for the Penguins, and was especially impressive in his last outing, saving 38 of 39 shots (.974 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Penguins enter action as -224 home favourites.
The Panthers have lost five of their last six, recording their only win with Stolarz between the pipes. Stolarz was terrific on Sunday, saving 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%) in a 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, his sixth straight win. The Panthers enter action as -192 home favourites against a New York Islanders club that has lost seven of their last eight (1-6-1).
Ekblad has been sidelined since March 9th due to a lower-body injury but has been a full participant at practice for several days and will return on Thursday. The 28-year-old Windsor native's production has taken a bit of a hit in 2023-24 as he has only four goals and 17 points in 47 games.
Kleven was recalled from Belleville (AHL) in response to Thomas Chabot exiting Wednesday's contest with a lower-body injury. The 22-year-old Kleven has 17 points (3G / 14A) in 45 games with Belleville and will likely suit up for Ottawa on Thursday if Chabot is unable to play.
Chabot recorded an assist on Wednesday but played only 14:54 time-on-ice before exiting the game with a lower-body injury. The Senators have recalled Tyler Kleven from Belleville (AHL) as a precautionary measure if Chabot is unable to play on Thursday. Chabot has six points (2G / 4A) in his last six games.
The Coyotes' coaching staff has committed to alternating goalies down the stretch, a trend that will likely continue on Thursday with Ingram between the pipes. Ingram has lost two straight (0-2-0), allowing three or more goals in each, but played well in his last outing, saving 31 of 34 shots (.912 SV%) in a 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. The Coyotes enter action as +147 home underdogs against the red-hot Nashville Predators.
Luukkonen will start his third straight game when Buffalo takes on Ottawa on Wednesday. The 25-year-old started the season in a trio of goalies but has torn away from the pack due to his solid 24-18-3 record, 2.48 GAA and .913 SV%. He will host the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday, who despite having won five of their last eight games are not playing for much due to their rank in the standings.
It's the first recall of the season for Iorio, who has spent the entirety of the 2023-24 season in the AHL with the Hershey Bears. Iorio played three games and registered one assist with the Capitals last season. He has four goals and ten assists in 60 games with Hersey this year.
The Capitals recalled Phillips just three days after assigning him to Hershey on Sunday. Phillips has one goal and four assists in 31 games split between the Capitals and Penguins this season.
Boston's goaltender carousel will continue on Wednesday as Linus Ullmark looks to pick up Boston's fifth win in their last eight games. The 30-year-old reigning Vezina Trophy winner has enjoyed another strong 2023-24, with his 19-8-7 record, 2.66 GAA and .914 SV%. He will host the red-hot Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, who have won seven of their last eight games and have the top powerplay in the NHL (29.0%).
Reimer has backed up for the Red Wings' previous two games but will look to extend his personal three-game win streak as he takes the crease on Thursday vs. Carolina. The 36-year-old veteran has emerged as potentially Detroit's best option between the crease lately due to his 9-7-2 record, 2.98 GAA and .907 SV%. He will head to Carolina to take on the Hurricanes, who have won six of their last eight games and are fourth in the NHL in shots per game (33.1).
Balisnkis appeared in 22 games for Florida before being reassigned to Charlotte (AHL) on Wednesday and had a goal and two assists with six PIMs during his first season with the team. The 27-year-old defenseman will return to Charlotte, where he excelled offensively earlier in the season with three goals, 21 points, 27 PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through 35 games played.
