Crozier made his season debut last week and recorded zero points in three games with Tampa Bay. The 24-year-old defenseman returns to the AHL, where he has nine points (3G / 6A) in 22 games with the Syracuse Crunch.
After a forgetful 21-game stretch where the Rangers only won five games (5-16-0), they have rebounded admirably, collecting points in nine straight (6-0-3), partly due to terrific play from Shesterkin. Shesterkin has saved the last 47 shots he's faced, recording consecutive shutouts. The 29-year-old netminder is up to a 2.78 GAA and .912 SV% in 33 games (16-15-2). The Rangers enter Thursday's contest as -147 home favorites against a Flyers club with points in six straight (5-0-1).
After a season-best seven-game winning streak, the Red Wings have struggled, being outscored 11-3 amid a three-game losing skid (0-2-1). Talbot will likely return to the crease on Thursday and hope to rebound from his previous outing when he allowed five goals on 16 shots (.688 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 37-year-old netminder has a 3.07 GAA and .901 SV% in 25 appearances this season (11-10-2). The Red Wings enter Thursday's contest as -126 home favorites against a Montreal Canadiens squad with points in eight of their last nine (7-1-1).
The Hurricanes have won three straight and will likely turn to Andersen between the pipes on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Andersen was serviceable in his return from a multi-week absence, saving 22 of 25 shots (.880 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 35-year-old netminder has a 1.78 GAA and .929 SV% in five games this season (4-1-0). The Hurricanes enter Thursday's contest as -380 home favorites against a Blue Jackets squad coming off a dominant 5-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs last night.
Gustavsson did not play the previous two games due to an illness but will return to the crease on Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 26-year-old netminder has struggled lately, allowing four or more goals in four straight (1-3-0). He has a 2.58 GAA and .914 SV% in 31 games (18-9-3). Minnesota enters Thursday's contest as -140 home favorites against a Utah team coming off an impressive 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets.
Updates surrounding Kaprizov's lower-body injury were few and far between, but after missing 12 straight games, he will finally return to the lineup on Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club. Before his injury, the 27-year-old Kaprizov was amid an excellent campaign among the league leaders, scoring 50 points (23G / 27A) in 34 games.
Spurgeon has missed nine straight with a lower-body injury but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club. Before his injury, Spurgeon had four goals, 13 points and 59 SOG while averaging 20:43 TOI in 32 games played this season.
Knies appeared to suffer the injury after taking a hit from Kirill Marchenko late in the second period and was unable to return. We should get an update on his status ahead of Toronto's game in Ottawa on Saturday.
The Kings have been outscored 9-3 in their last two games (0-2-0) and will turn to Kuemper between the pipes on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. Kuemper struggled in his most recent outing, allowing three goals on 21 shots (.857 SV%) in a 4-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken, but has been excellent most of the season. The 34-year-old netminder has a stellar 2.10 GAA and .920 SV% in 23 games this season (13-4-5). The Kings enter Wednesday's contest as -113 home favorites against a Panthers squad that defeated that defeated the Anaheim Ducks 5-2 last night.
The Jets have been outscored 8-3 in their last two games (0-2-0) and will turn to Hellebuyck between the pipes when they attempt to return to the win column on Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche. Hellebuyck struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 27 shots (.852 SV%) but remains the leading candidate for the Vezina trophy, boasting a 2.02 GAA and .927 SV% in 37 games (28-7-2). The Jets enter Wednesday's contest as +107 road underdogs against an Avalanche squad they defeated 3-0 on January 11th.
Lowry exited Monday's 5-2 loss to the Utah Hockey Club after only 5:18 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 31-year-old Lowry is averaging 15:24 time-on-ice and was pacing to surpass his 36-point career-high from the 2022-23 season. He has 26 points (11G / 15A) in 26 games this season. The team already announced he is out week-to-week with the injury.
Juulsen is averaging 16:34 time-on-ice and has zero points, a -11 plus/minus, 57 blocks, and 89 hits in 32 games this season. The Canucks recalled defenceman Elias Pettersson from Abbotsford (AHL) in a corresponding move.
Let the confusion begin. Pettersson was selected in the third round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and is yet to make his NHL debut. The 20-year-old blue-liner has one goal and 12 assists in 36 AHL games this season. Defenceman Noah Juulsen was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday in a corresponding move.
Karlsson has performed well for Abbotsford this season, scoring 12 goals and adding six assists in 17 AHL games. He's appeared in just two NHL games this year and is yet to register a point.
Sillinger was a surprise scratch on Wednesday with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. The team added he is considered day-to-day with the injury, making him unlikely to suit up for Thursday's game in Carolina.
Despite appearing to be shaken up at the morning skate, Merzlikins will make his 31st start of the season when the Blue Jackets travel to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs on Wednesday. Merzlikins didn't turn in his best performance his last time out, allowing three goals on 25 shots in a 3-1 loss on Long Island. The loss snapped a personal four-game winning streak for the 30-year-old netminder. Merzlikins carries a 16-11-3 record and an .890 SV% into Wednesday night's matchup. He'll have a hard time getting back in the win column against the Maple Leafs as the Blue Jackets enter action at +175 on the money line.
Lycksell and goaltender Aleksei Kolosov were reassigned to Lehigh Valley on Wednesday while forward Anthony Richard was recalled in a corresponding move. Lycksell is yet to register a point in six NHL games this season.
