Bunting had become a fixture on Pittsburgh's top powerplay unit but will unfortunately be sidelined indefinitely after undergoing an appendectomy. The 29-year-old Bunting has 29 points (14G / 15A) and a -18 plus/minus rating in 58 games this season.
Luostarinen did not play against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, tending to the birth of his child. The 26-year-old Luostarinen is averaging 15:17 time-on-ice and has 20 points (8G / 12A) in 58 games this season.
With Ottawa battling a series of key injuries up front, Jenik drew into the lineup on Wednesday, playing 7:51 time-on-ice in a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The 24-year-old Czech forward has six points (2G / 6A) in 24 career NHL games.
With Ottawa battling several key injuries up front, Crookshank made his season debut on Wednesday, playing 14:04 time-on-ice in a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The 25-year-old fifth-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft had spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, tallying 33 points (18G / 15A) in 48 games with the Belleville Senators.
Gaunce has 28 points (13G / 15A) in 182 career NHL games but has primarily been an AHL player this season, limited to only five contests with Minnesota. The 30-year-old forward has 29 points (15G / 14A) in 35 games with Iowa (AHL) this season.
The Panthers had Spencer Knight between the pipes in the previous outing, a 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators, but will likely switch to Bobrovsky on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky has been tremendous lately, posting a 1.74 GAA and .933 SV% in his previous seven games (5-2-0). The Panthers enter the action on Thursday as -125 home favorites against an Oilers squad amid a four-game losing skid.
The Red Wings have won two straight and will likely ride with Talbot between the pipes on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Talbot was solid in his previous outing, saving 22 of 24 shots (.917 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. The 37-year-old Talbot has a 2.85 GAA and .905 SV% in 33 appearances this season (17-11-3). The Red Wings enter Thursday's contest as -150 home favorites against a Blue Jackets squad coming off an impressive 6-4 win over the Dallas Stars.
The Hurricanes have been outscored 10-3 in their previous two games (0-2-0) and will likely turn to Kochetkov between the pipes on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. Kochetkov struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 21 shots (.810 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 25-year-old netminder has a 2.55 GAA and .902 SV% in 35 appearances this season (20-11-3). The Hurricanes enter the action on Thursday as sizeable -225 home favorites against a Sabres club that has outscored their opposition 11-4 during a two-game winning streak.
Bains will sit to make way for the return of Quinn Hughes (lower-body) as Vancouver opts to dress seven defencemen. Bains has one goal and zero assists in 12 games this season.
Burroughs will fill in for Drew Doughty, who was a late scratch due to a lower-body injury. Burroughs has zero goals and two assists in 27 games this season.
Hughes was expected to be out after not taking part in line rushes during warmups, but it now appears he will play as Vancouver opts to dress seven defencemen. Hughes missed Vancouver's final four games before the break for the 4Nations Face-Off and has not played two straight since the NHL resumed it's activities, but will return on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 25-year-old Hughes is amid another Norris trophy caliber season, posting 59 points (14G / 45A) in 47 games.
Doughty was a surprise scratch on Wednesday, with the Kings not announcing his absence prior to warmups. He is considered day-to-day with the injury.
The Kings will turn to Rittich between the pipes on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks for his first start since the NHL resumed its' schedule following the break for the 4Nations Face-Off. The 32-year-old Rittich has had an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.59 GAA and .890 SV% in 25 games this season (12-11-1). The Kings enter Wednesday's contest as -172 home favorites against a Canucks squad that has scored two or fewer goals in four straight (2-2-0).
Allen allowed three goals on 25 shots (.880 SV%) in New Jersey's return to action from the break for the 4Nations Face-Off, and he will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche. The 34-year-old Allen has a 2.58 GAA and .909 SV% in 22 games this season (9-12-1). He has played well since filling in for an injured Jacob Markstrom last month, posting a 2.21 GAA and .928 SV% in eight contests (4-4-0). The Devils enter Wednesday's contest as +130 road underdogs against an Avalanche club that has only scored twice in their previous two games (0-2-0).
Kleven suffered the injury in the first period of Wednesday's game and was unable to return. We should get an update on his status ahead of Ottawa's game against the Sharks on Saturday.
Madden is yet to appear in an NHL game in his career. He has eight goals and 17 assists in 48 AHL games this season and will report to the Iowa Wild.
Cecconi is yet to appear in an NHL game in his career. He has two goals and 12 assists in 51 AHL games this season and will report to the Ontario Reign.
Fox fell awkwardly onto his left arm in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the New York Islanders, exiting the contest in the third period with 17:48 time-on-ice. He has been placed on Injured Reserve and will not be eligible to return until, at earliest, March 5th against the Washington Capitals. Before his injury, Fox was riding a seven-game point streak, accumulating eight points (2G / 6A). In a corresponding move, the Rangers recalled Matthew Robertson from the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL).
With Adam Fox (upper body) on Injured Reserve, the Rangers have recalled Robertson from the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL). Robertson was a second-round pick of the Rangers in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old defenseman has yet to play an NHL game and has 18 points (1G / 17A) in 47 games with Hartford this season.
The Jets are riding a 10-game winning streak and will turn to Hellebuyck between the pipes on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators. The 31-year-old Hellebuyck was solid in his previous outing, albeit lightly tested, saving 17 of 18 shots (.944 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime win over the San Jose Sharks. He has an outstanding 2.04 GAA and .925 SV% in 44 games this season (35-7-2). The Jets enter Wednesday's contest as -145 road favorites against a Senators club missing several key offensive pieces due to injuries, including Josh Norris, Shane Pinto, and Brady Tkachuk.
