Smith is an undrafted defenseman from Oshawa, Ontario that has spent the previous four seasons in the OHL. The 20-year-old scored 32 points (10G / 22A) in 64 games with the Flint Firebirds (OHL) in the 2024-25 season.
Turcotte has not played since March 23rd and appears to nearing an imminent returning to practice this week but will miss at least one more game. The 24-year-old Turcotte is averaging 11:46 time-on-ice and has a career-high 23 points (8G / 15A) in 64 games this season.
Duran was a sixth-round pick, 182nd overall, of the Boston Bruins in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old forward has yet to play an NHL game. He has 16 points (12G / 4A) in 58 games with the Providence Bruins (AHL) this season.
The Predators are coming off a wild 7-6 overtime win over the New York Islanders and will look for more stability between the pipes on Thursday, with Saros tending the twine against the Utah Hockey Club. Saros was serviceable in his most recent outing, saving 15 of 17 shots (.882 SV%) but did not receive ample goal support, losing 2-1 to the Montreal Canadiens. The 29-year-old Saros has a 2.97 GAA and .894 SV% in 55 games this season (18-30-6). Nashville enters Thursday's contest as +180 road underdogs against a Utah team coming off a 7-1 win over the Seattle Kraken.
The Kings are coming off a rare loss at home in Monday's 2-1 loss against the Seattle Kraken when Kuemper saved 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%). The 34-year-old Kuemper is among the league leaders in all major goaltending categories this season, posting five shutouts (3rd), a 2.03 GAA (2nd), and a .922 SV% (2nd) in 47 appearances (28-11-7). The Kings enter Thursday's contest as sizeable -342 home favorites against an Anaheim Ducks team that defeated the Calgary Flames 4-3 in overtime last night.
With Alex Kerfoot (illness) returning to the lineup, Carcone will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 28-year-old Carcone scored a goal in Tuesday's 7-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. He has 19 points (7G / 12A) in 53 games this season.
Kerfoot did not play Utah's previous game due to an illness but he will draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. The 30-year-old Kerfoot is averaging 15:17 time-on-ice and has 24 points (11G / 13A) in 77 games this season.
Lindgren is battling an upper-body injury and will not play on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 27-year-old Lindgren has been solid on Colorado's blue line, recording 26 blocks, 21 hits, and three points (2G / 1A) in 18 games.
Colorado's head coach Jared Bednar stated that MacKinnon would likely play if they were fighting for a playoff spot, indicating that he should be ready to play in the postseason. The 29-year-old MacKinnon has a league-leading 116 points (32G / 84A) in 79 games this season.
Girard has not played since March 31st but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 26-year-old Girard is averaging 20:49 time-on-ice and has 23 points (3G / 20A) in 70 games this season.
Necas has not played since April 2nd but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. Colorado will rely heavily upon Necas on Thursday as they will be without Nathan MacKinnon (undisclosed). The 26-year-old Necas has 26 points (11G / 15A) in 27 games with Colorado this season.
Utah has given Vejmelka the heaviest workload of any netminder over the previous two months, and he will return to the crease for his 22nd consecutive start on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. Vejmelka was solid in his most recent outing, saving 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) in a 7-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. The 28-year-old Czech goalie has a 2.51 GAA and .907 SV% in 55 games this season (25-21-7). Utah enters Thursday's contest as sizeable -201 home favorites against a Nashville team coming off a back-and-forth 7-6 overtime win over the New York Islanders.
A six-game winning streak has positioned the Canadiens into the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and they will turn to Montembeault between the pipes on Friday against the Ottawa Senators. Montembeault was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 35 of 36 shots (.972 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old goalie has a 2.81 GAA and .901 SV% in 59 games this season (30-23-6).
Nieto recently returned from a six-week NHL absence, playing one game, but will return to the sidelines and miss the remainder of the season. The 32-year-old Nieto is averaging 12:15 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 32 games this season.
Novak has not played since March 9th and will miss the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old Novak is averaging 13:14 time-on-ice and has 22 points (13G / 9A) in 54 games this season.
Lizotte did not play in Pittsburgh's previous game and will miss the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old Lizotte is averaging 12:43 time-on-ice and has 20 points (11G / 9A) in 59 games this season. Matthew Nieto will draw into the lineup as Lizotte's replacement.
McGroarty recently made his NHL debut, scoring three points (1G / 2A) in eight games, but will be sidelined for the remainder of the season. The 21-year-old McGroarty was the 14th overall pick of the Winnipeg Jets in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Merzlikins was practicing in the starter's crease at the Blue Jackets' morning skate on Thursday, but has suffered an undisclosed injury and will not play against the Buffalo Sabres. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has a 3.18 GAA and .892 SV% in 53 games this season (26-21-5).
Utah has given Vejmelka the heaviest workload of any netminder over the previous two months, and he will likely return to the crease for his 22nd consecutive start on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. Vejmelka was solid in his most recent outing, saving 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) in a 7-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. The 28-year-old Czech goalie has a 2.51 GAA and .907 SV% in 55 games this season (25-21-7). Utah enters Thursday's contest as sizeable -201 home favorites against a Nashville team coming off a back-and-forth 7-6 overtime win over the New York Islanders.
