Jaaska is an undrafted forward out of Finland that made his professional North American debut this season with the Chicago Wolves (AHL). The 26-year-old Jaaska has 16 points (7G / 9A) in 25 games with the Wolves.
The Senators will turn to Merilainen between the pipes for the fourth time in their last five games. The 22-year-old netminder was outstanding in his previous outing, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild. He has a 2.68 GAA and .900 SV% in three games this season (2-1-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as +158 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars club outscoring their opposition 9-3 during a two-game winning streak.
The Senators will likely turn to Merilainen between the pipes for the fourth time in their last five games. The 22-year-old netminder was outstanding in his previous outing, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild. He has a 2.68 GAA and .900 SV% in three games this season (2-1-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as +158 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars club outscoring their opposition 9-3 during a two-game winning streak.
Wedgewood has only played once since December 12th, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks on December 20th. Still, the 32-year-old netminder has been solid in limited action with Colorado, posting an impressive 1.93 GAA and .932 SV% in six games (4-2-0). Colorado enters Thursday's contest as -200 home favorites against a Buffalo team whose three-game winning streak snapped in a 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.
Hyry was signed as an undrafted forward in the offseason and will make his NHL debut with Dallas on Thursday. The 23-year-old impressed in training camp and has been solid at the AHL-level, scoring 26 points (14G / 12A) in 29 games with Texas this season.
The Flames have won three straight with Dustin Wolf between the pipes but will turn to Vladar on Thursday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 27-year-old Vladar was solid in a 3-0 losing effort to the Vegas Golden Knights in his previous outing, saving 34 of 36 shots (.944 SV%). He has a 3.02 GAA and .890 SV% in 18 games this season (6-7-5). Calgary enters Thursday's contest as +105 home underdogs against a Utah team outscored 16-6 in their last four games (0-4-0).
Woll was excellent against the New York Islanders on Tuesday, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 3-1 win, and will return to the crease in a rematch on Thursday evening. The 26-year-old Woll has won two straight games and is sporting a solid 2.48 GAA and .913 SV% in 17 games this season (11-6-0). The Maple Leafs enter Thursday's contest as -110 road favorites against an Islanders squad limited to two or fewer goals in three of their last four games (1-3-0).
The Stars rolled with Casey DeSmith between the pipes in their most recent outing, a 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Still, they will return to Oettinger on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. Oettinger has lost three of his last four games (1-2-1) but was solid in his previous contest, saving 24 of 25 shots (.960 SV%) in a 5-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. He has a 2.38 GAA and .909 SV% in 27 games this season (17-9-1). The Stars enter Thursday's contest as -176 home favorites against a Senators squad coming off an impressive 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild.
Murphy is battling through a groin injury and did not practice on Thursday. The 31-year-old Murphy has been a steadying force on the blue line for the Blackhawks this season, averaging 20:33 time-on-ice and scoring 13 points (1G / 12A) in 38 games. The Blackhawks return to action on Friday against the Montreal Canadiens.
The Stars rolled with Casey DeSmith between the pipes in their most recent outing, a 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Still, they will likely return to Oettinger on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. Oettinger has lost three of his last four games (1-2-1) but was solid in his previous contest, saving 24 of 25 shots (.960 SV%) in a 5-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. He has a 2.38 GAA and .909 SV% in 27 games this season (17-9-1). The Stars enter Thursday's contest as -176 home favorites against a Senators squad coming off an impressive 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild.
Oliver Wahlstrom will re-enter the Bruins lineup on Thursday against the New York Rangers, returning McLaughlin to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old McLaughlin is averaging 9;35 time-on-ice and has two points (2G / 0A) in 11 games this season.
Marc McLaughlin will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the New York Rangers, allowing Wahlstrom to re-enter the lineup. The 24-year-old Wahlstrom has not played the last two games for Bruins. He has zero points, 17 penalty minutes, and a -2 plus/minus in his four games with the club.
The Red Wings have won two straight, both with Alex Lyon in net, but will turn to Talbot on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The veteran Talbot has not recorded a victory since November 27th, going 0-5-0 in that stretch and posting an ugly .861 SV%. He has a 2.98 GAA and .906 SV% in 19 appearances this season (6-9-2). The Red Wings enter Thursday's contest as +105 road underdogs against a Blue Jackets squad with points in five of their last six (4-1-1).
The Hurricanes have lost three of their last four (1-2-1) and will likely turn to Kochetkov between the pipes on Thursday against the Florida Panthers. Kochetkov allowed three goals on 28 shots (.893 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has a 2.52 GAA and .899 SV% in 23 games this season (14-7-1). The Hurricanes enter Thursday's contest as +105 home underdogs against a Panthers club that defeated them 6-0 on November 30th.
The Bruins will turn to Swayman between the pipes for a third consecutive game on Thursday when they visit the New York Rangers. Swayman was unsuccessful in his most recent outing, a 3-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, but was solid, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%). The 26-year-old Swayman has played well lately, allowing three or fewer goals in six straight (4-1-1), posting a .919 SV%. The Bruins enter Thursday's contest as slight -104 road underdogs against against a Rangers club outscored 19-6 in their last four games (0-4-0).
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).
