NHL Hockey Player News

Hill saw limited action in the latter half of last season and into the playoffs as Carter Hart became the team's go-to guy between the pipes, but Hill returns to the crease Thursday for his fifth start in 10 games. The 30-year-old Hill has been solid when called upon, posting a 2.21 GAA and .906 SV% in four games (4-0-0). He saved 22 of 24 shots (.917 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 6-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Golden Knights enter Thursday's contest as -126 road favourites against a St. Louis Blues team that has scored just four goals in their last two games (1-1-0).

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.

Wallstedt has been busy with Filip Gustavsson (hip) sidelined and will return to the crease for the 10th time in Minnesota's first 11 games. The 23-year-old Swedish goalie has given Head Coach John Hynes no reason to deviate, posting a solid 2.20 GAA and .915 SV% in nine games (6-1-2). That said, he is coming off his weakest performance of the season, allowing four goals on 32 shots (.875 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Minnesota enters Thursday's contest as significant -202 road favourites against a Calgary Flames team coming off an impressive 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Heinola has been recalled from Henderson (AHL) for the second time this season on Thursday. The 25-year-old did not make an appearance during his last call-up as he waits patiently to make his Golden Knights debut. He appeared in five games with the Jets last season, picking up four PIMs and seven SOG while going pointless.

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 also recalled Jonas Johansson from Belleville (AHL) in a corresponding move.

Samuel Ersson was likely always starting in the tail end of a back-to-back on Thursday, but with Linus Ullmark (lower body) on IR, he is likely due for more starts than expected in the interim. Ersson only had to make one save in relief of Ullmark last night, playing the final 16 minutes of a 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers. The 27-year-old Swedish goalie hasn't seen much action this season, but has an ugly 4.70 GAA and .831 SV% in four appearances (0-2-0). The Senators enter Thursday's game as -124 home favourites against a San Jose Sharks team coming off an impressive come-from-behind 4-3 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens.

Radko Gudas will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Balinskis to re-enter the lineup. The 30-year-old Balinskis is averaging 14:25 time-on-ice and has one assist in six games this season.