NHL Hockey Player News

The Red Wings scored only two goals combined in their first two games (0-2-0), but are coming off their first victory of the season. The 33-year-old Gibson saved 22 of 25 shots (.880 SV%) in the outing and received ample goal support, defeating the Ottawa Senators 5-3. Gibson has a 2.38 GAA and .903 SV% this season (1-2-0).

After a miserable start to the season, outscoring 6-1 in their first two games (0-2-0), the Stars are coming off a 5-0 statement win over the San Jose Sharks and hope to carry that momentum into Thursday's contest against the Buffalo Sabres. The 27-year-old Oettinger stopped all 13 shots for his first shutout of the season, improving to a 1.01 GAA and .943 SV% in two games (1-1-0). The Stars enter Thursday's contest as slight -114 road favourites against a 2-1-0 Buffalo Sabres team.

With the newly acquired Michael Bunting making his Flyers' debut on Thursday, Grundstrom will be the odd man out of the lineup as a healthy scratch. The 28-year-old Grundstrom is averaging 11:07 time-on-ice, recording zero points and 13 hits in four games.

The Dallas Stars acquired Michael Bunting at last season's trade deadline, but he couldn't stay in the lineup and was often a healthy scratch in the postseason. He has since struggled to find a new NHL home, but he has agreed to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. Bunting scored 33 points (14G / 19A) in 74 games between the Stars and the Pittsburgh Penguins. He will make his Flyers' debut on Thursday, replacing Carl Grundstrom.

Joseph Woll has clearly outplayed Dan Vladar as the 2026-27 season begins and could earn more playing time if he keeps impressing. The 28-year-old Woll has saved 78 of 84 shots (.929 SV%) in two games this season, going 0-0-2 for a Flyers team that has been offensively miserable, scoring only five combined goals in four games (0-2-2). The Flyers enter Thursday's contest as +155 road underdogs against a 2-1-0 Ottawa Senators team.

Karel Vejmelka carried a heavy workload last season for Utah, and with rookie Sebastian Cossa as his backup for 2026-27, it was unclear how the crease would be split. That said, after a strong debut, saving 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, the 23-year-old Cossa will return to the crease on Thursday for his second start in five games. The Mammoth enter Thursday as -121 road favourites against a Boston Bruins team that has scored only nine goals in four games (2-2-0).

Petrovic was recalled last week as a precaution but didn't draw into the lineup and will return to the AHL. The 34-year-old defenseman played 54 games last season with the Dallas Stars, averaging 15:21 time-on-ice and scoring 10 points (2G / 8A).

Joseph Woll has clearly outplayed Dan Vladar as the 2026-27 season begins and could earn more playing time if he keeps impressing. The 28-year-old Woll has saved 78 of 84 shots (.929 SV%) in two games this season, going 0-0-2 for a Flyers team that has been offensively miserable, scoring only five combined goals in four games (0-2-2). The Flyers enter Thursday's contest as +155 road underdogs against a 2-1-0 Ottawa Senators team.

With Filip Gustavsson (hip) sidelined at the start of the season, Minnesota will continue to rely on Wallstedt, giving him his fourth straight start of 2026-27. The 23-year-old Swedish goalie has given Head Coach John Hynes no reason to deviate, posting a stellar 1.63 GAA and .933 SV% in three games (2-0-1). Minnesota enters Thursday's contest as +127 road underdogs against a 2-1-0 Tampa Bay Lightning team.

Vancouver's stoutest defensive outing of the season came with Leevi Merilainen between the pipes in a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames. Still, the Canucks will turn to Lankinen on Thursday for his fourth start in five games. The 31-year-old Lankinen is coming off his best outing of the season, but he still struggled, allowing three goals on 28 shots (.893 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Lankinen has an ugly 6.50 GAA and .824 SV% in three games (1-2-0). The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as significant +290 road underdogs against a 2-1-1 Carolina Hurricanes team.

Nick Foligno (upper body) will not play on Thursday, allowing Sturm to enter the lineup for his season debut. The 31-year-old Sturm played 49 games with Minnesota last season, averaging 10:57 time-on-ice and scoring 11 points (5G / 6A).

Foligno only played 3:29 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres before exiting the game with an upper-body injury. The veteran 38-year-old forward has one goal through three games this season. Nico Sturm will draw into Minnesota's lineup on Thursday as Foligno's replacement.

Saros has carried a heavy workload for the Predators in recent seasons, a trend that will continue into 2026-27, as he will tend the twine for the fourth straight time on Thursday. Despite Head Coach Andrew Brunette's trust, Saros is coming off his weakest outing of the season, allowing five goals on 37 shots (.865 SV%) in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old Finnish goalie has a 2.95 GAA and .907 SV% through three games (1-1-1). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as +141 road underdogs against a Montreal Canadiens team that is 1-1-1 this season.

To start the 2026-27 season, the Blues have made it clear they are relying more on Hofer than veteran Jordan Binnington, and will turn to him again on Thursday for his third start in four games. Through two games this season (1-1-0), Hofer has a shutout and has posted an impressive 1.01 GAA and .955 SV%. The Blues enter Thursday as -150 home favourites against a San Jose Sharks team coming off a disappointing 5-0 loss to the Dallas Stars.

Sorokin had the night off in New York's previous game, but he will likely return to the crease on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks, looking to build on a strong start to the 2026-27 season. The 31-year-old goalie has been outstanding through two games, despite a 1-1-0 record, saving 61 of 63 combined shots (.968 SV%). Sorokin had the worst save percentage of his career in 2025-26 (.906 SV%) and hopes to improve those totals this season under new Head Coach Pete DeBoer.

Ottawa's previous game raised concerns when Ullmark exited in the second intermission with an undisclosed injury. Still, he fully participated in the team's morning skate on Thursday and will return to the crease against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 33-year-old Swedish goalie had an up-and-down 2025-26 season, but has started 2026-27 on a positive note, with an impressive 1.20 GAA and .949 SV% in two outings (2-0-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as -175 home favourites against a Flyers team that has been outscored 17-5 through four games (0-2-2).

Jeremy Swayman had a miserable 2024-25 season after signing a massive eight-year contract extension, posting an ugly 3.11 GAA and .892 SV% in 58 games (22-29-7). The organization had concerns about the contract, but he followed it up with a solid 2025-26 season, posting a 2.71 GAA and .907 SV% in 55 games (31-18-4). Now, the 27-year-old goalie seems to be continuing his upward trajectory, opening the season with a 2.30 GAA and .914 SV% in three games (2-1-0). That said, he is coming off his weakest performance of the season, allowing four goals on 24 shots (.833 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Swayman hopes to rebound Thursday, as the Bruins enter as slight +112 home underdogs against the Utah Mammoth, who have outscored opponents 17-8 over four games (3-1-0).