NHL Hockey Player News

Brindley played a key role for the Avalanche last season, appearing in 56 games and scoring 13 points (6G / 7A). This season, the 22-year-old forward has been back and forth from the AHL. He has one assist in four games with the Avalanche.

Impressive early-season performances from Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson made Connor Hellebuyck's (suspension) absence an afterthought, but recent struggles are keeping Winnipeg's crease uncertain. That said, even in a 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues in his previous game, Skinner played well, stopping 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%). The 27-year-old Canadian goalie has a 2.65 GAA and .910 SV% in six games (3-1-2). The Jets enter Thursday's game as +174 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars team with points in six of its last seven games (5-1-1).

The Stars have struggled offensively at times to start the season, but they can point to Jake Oettinger's outstanding play as the reason for their 5-3-1 record. In seven games this season (4-2-1), the 27-year-old Oettinger has already posted three shutouts, with an outstanding 1.13 GAA and .945 SV%. He saved 18 of 20 shots (.900 SV%) in his previous game, a 3-2 overtime win over the Boston Bruins. The Stars enter Thursday's divisional clash as sizeable -196 home favourites against a Winnipeg Jets team that has scored two or fewer goals in three of their last five games (1-3-1).

Wennberg left Monday's 3-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third period with an upper-body injury and has not played since. Unfortunately for the Sharks, Wennberg will miss some time, week to week. The 32-year-old Swedish forward has three assists in nine games this season.

The Ducks have been plummeting in the standings, losing five of six (1-5-0) and hope for better results on Thursday, with Husso between the pipes. Husso hasn't played much this season and is coming off a poor showing, allowing five goals on 30 shots (.833 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers. The 31-year-old Finnish goalie has a 3.09 GAA and .885 SV% in three appearances (1-1-0). The Ducks enter Thursday's game as sizeable +186 road underdogs against a New Jersey Devils team that has scored four or more goals in three of their last four games (3-1-0).

Byfield exited midway through the first period of Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals with an upper-body injury and did not return. The 24-year-old forward has two points (1G / 1A) in seven games this season. His status for Thursday's game is up in the air.

The Sharks are off to a modest 5-4-1 start to the season, but Askarov's inconsistent goaltending has left little room for error. That said, Askarov is coming off one of his best performances of the season, saving 29 of 35 shots (.935 SV%) in a 3-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old Russian goalie has a 3.67 GAA and .865 SV% in six games (2-4-0). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as +121 road underdogs against an Ottawa Senators team coming off an impressive 5-1 win last night over the Florida Panthers.

After finishing his first season with the Kings in 2024-25 as the second Vezina Trophy runner-up, Kuemper followed it with a disappointing 2025-26 season, posting a 2.78 GAA and .891 SV% in 50 games (19-14-15). Kuemper's start to the 2026-27 season hasn't been overly encouraging, but he is coming off a strong performance, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals. The veteran 36-year-old goalie has a 3.94 GAA and .869 SV% in five games (1-3-1). The Kings enter Thursday's game as -108 road favourites against a New York Islanders team on a two-game winning streak.

The Sharks are off to a modest 5-4-1 start to the season, but Askarov's inconsistent goaltending has left little room for error. That said, Askarov is coming off one of his best performances of the season, saving 29 of 35 shots (.935 SV%) in a 3-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old Russian goalie has a 3.67 GAA and .865 SV% in six games (2-4-0). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as +121 road underdogs against an Ottawa Senators team coming off an impressive 5-1 win last night over the Florida Panthers.

The Penguins, losers of four straight (0-4-0), hope to rebound on Thursday, turning to Silovs in net. The 25-year-old Latvian goalie had an encouraging start to the season, recording a shutout in his first game, but has struggled since, allowing five goals in four of his last five games (2-3-0). He has an ugly 3.51 GAA and .866 SV% in six games (3-3-0) this season. The Penguins enter Thursday's matchup as slight -113 home favourites against a Florida Panthers team coming off a 5-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators last night.

Rust was sidelined at the start of the season with an upper-body injury and will miss more than a month after being placed on Injured Reserve with a lower-body injury. The 34-year-old is coming off consecutive career-best 65-point seasons, but he has battled some injuries, missing at least 10 games in each of the past three seasons.

Garand had a forgettable performance last week, allowing four goals on 13 shots (.692 SV%) in a 7-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils, but has otherwise been outstanding after filling in for Igor Shesterkin, who suffered a season-ending injury. The 24-year-old Garand saved 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks. He has an impressive 1.85 GAA and .929 SV% in seven games (4-2-1). The Rangers enter Thursday's action as slight -106 road favourites against a Toronto Maple Leafs team that has outscored opponents 9-3 in their last two games (2-0-0).

Hofer delivered a dazzling 25-save shutout in the Blues' season opener, validating Head Coach Jim Montgomery's decision to bench veteran Jordan Binnington, but Hofer has been inconsistent since. That said, the 26-year-old Hofer is coming off a tremendous performance, saving 32 of 33 shots (.919 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. He has a 2.19 GAA and .919 SV% in six games (3-2-1). The Blues enter Thursday's matchup as +113 home underdogs against a Vegas Golden Knights team coming off a disappointing 6-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Bourque has missed the past four game with an upper-body injury, but was back at practice on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Bourque was playing a meaningful middle-six role for the Predators before his injury, scoring one assist in four games.

Rifai has only played five career NHL games, but is coming off a career-high 19:14 time on ice. That said, he is battling an undisclosed injury, and his status for Thursday's game against the New York Rangers is uncertain. The 28-year-old defenseman has one goal in two games this season.

The Devils are coming off an impressive 4-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche, thanks to a strong performance by Jake Allen, but they will turn to Daws on Thursday. The 25-year-old Daws has only played three of nine games this season (1-2-0), posting a subpar 3.38 GAA and .857 SV%. That said, he was solid in his most recent outing, saving 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) in a 7-1 win over the New York Rangers. The Devils enter Thursday's action as significant -201 home favourites against a struggling Anaheim Ducks team that has been outscored 16-8 during a four-game losing streak (0-4-0).

Suzuki played 21:03 time on ice in Montreal's previous game, a 4-3 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks, and scored two points (1G / 1A), but has been ruled out for the next several weeks with an upper-body injury. The Canadiens have been outscored 34-30 over nine games this season (4-3-2) and will be tested without their number-one center. The 27-year-old Suzuki is coming off a career-best 101-point season and started 2026-27 strong, with 12 points (5G / 7A) in nine games.

Ullmark exited Ottawa's previous game in the third period with a lower-body injury and will miss at least one week before he is eligible to be activated from Injured Reserve. The 33-year-old Swedish goalie has had a terrific start this season, posting a dazzling 1.33 GAA and .945 SV% in eight games (7-1-0). Expect Sam Ersson to get most of the action while Ullmark's out. Ottawa recalled Jonas Johansson from Belleville (AHL) in a corresponding move.

Linus Ullmark (lower body) exited Ottawa's previous game in the third period and will miss at least one week, resulting in the team recalling Johansson from Belleville (AHL). The 31-year-old Johansson has never thrived at the NHL level, but he has plenty of experience, posting a 3.29 GAA and .889 SV% in 105 career appearances (43-36-14).