NHL Hockey Player News

The Senators have been liberal with their goalie rotation over the past two weeks, and will turn to Merilainen to tend the twine on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 23-year-old Merilainen allowed four goals on 31 shots (.871 SV%) in his most recent game, a 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues, and has battled consistency issues this season. He has a 3.40 GAA and .874 SV% in six games (3-3-0). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as -128 home favorites against a Rangers team coming off an impressive 3-2 overtime win over the Dallas Stars.

The Islanders snapped a three-game losing skid in their most recent game, a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning courtesy of a tremendous 30-save performance (.968 SV%) by Sorokin. The 30-year-old Sorokin, boasting a 2.57 GAA and .905 SV% in 18 games this season (8-8-2), returns to the crease on Thursday in a challenging matchup against the league-leading Colorado Avalanche, who have amazingly only lost one game in regulation this season (19-1-6). The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as sizable +180 home underdogs against the Avalanche.

Sourdif exited Wednesday's game in the third period due to a lower-body injury and it is unclear when he might return to the lineup. The 23-year-old rookie has six points (3G / 3A) in 27 games this season.

Verheaghe did not play in Florida's most recent game to attend the birth of his child, but should return to the lineup on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. The 30-year-old Verheaghe has a modest 16 points (4G / 12A) through 24 games this season, but has turned it on lately, with six points (2G / 4A) during a three-game point streak.

Marchenko has not played in the last several games and has been sidelined since November 22nd due to a upper-body injury, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 25-year-old Marchenko looks to add to his 22 points (8G / 14A) through 22 games, a career-best pace, when he returns to a familiar place on the Blue Jackets' top-six and top powerplay unit.

The Blue Jackets have leaned heavily on Jet Greaves in recent weeks, but will turn to Merzlikins on Thursday in a rare consecutive start for the Latvian goalie after a solid 30-save performance (.909 SV%) in Monday's 5-3 win over the New Jersey Devils. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has a subpar 3.50 GAA and .895 SV% in 10 games (5-5-0) this season. He has not had a sub-3.00 GAA since the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as -114 home favorites against a Detroit Red Wings team coming off a 5-4 win over the Boston Bruins.

The Islanders snapped a three-game losing skid in their most recent game, a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning courtesy of a tremendous 30-save performance (.968 SV%) by Sorokin. The 30-year-old Sorokin, boasting a 2.57 GAA and .905 SV% in 18 games this season (8-8-2), likely returns to the crease on Thursday in a challenging matchup against the league-leading Colorado Avalanche, who have amazingly only lost one game in regulation this season (19-1-6). The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as sizable +180 home underdogs against the Avalanche.

Blueline injuries allowed Callahan to draw into Boston's lineup, but his promotion to the NHL was short lived, suffering an injury in his second game after his call-up. Victor Soderstrom was recalled from Providence (AHL) in a corresponding move.

With Michael Callahan (undisclosed) added to a growing list of injured players in Boston, Soderstrom will be the most recent AHL call-up who could crack the NHL roster. The 24-year-old Soderstrom has 11 points (1G / 10A) in 53 career NHL games, but has not played in the NHL since a three-game stint with the Arizona Coyotes in the 2023-24 season.

Halverson was recalled by Tampa Bay on Thursday morning, indicating there could be an injury concern with one of their two netminders. The 29-year-old Halverson has only played two NHL games in his career. He has a 2.58 GAA and .901 SV% in 13 games (9-4-0) with the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) this season.

Pinelli has seen reasonable deployment since making his NHL debut last week, averaging 13:46 time-on-ice in three games. That said, he is returning to the Cleveland Monsters (AHL), indicating that Kirill Marchenko (lower body) may be ready to return to the Blue Jackets' lineup.

Halliday made his NHL debut two weeks ago, tallying an assist in four games, but returned to the AHL, accommodating the return of Ottawa's captain Brady Tkachuk. The 23-year-old Halliday has 19 points (1G / 18A) in 17 games with the Belleville Senators (AHL) this season.

York exited Wednesday's game in the second period after only 10:37 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury. The 24-year-old York is averaging a career-high 23:31 time-on-ice and is pacing for career-high offensive totals, with 12 points (1G / 11A) through 23 games this season.

Chisholm will slot in for John Carlson, who was a late scratch due to an upper-body injury. Chisholm will skate with Trevor van Riemsdyk on Washington's third pair.

Carlson was a late scratch from Wednesday's game due to an upper-body injury. Declan Chisholm will draw into the lineup in his place.

Milano will slot in for Justin Sourdif, who was a surprise scratch due to an undisclosed injury. Milano will skate with Hendrix Lapierre and Brandon Duhaime on Washington's fourth line.