NHL Hockey Player News

While rookie Sebastian Cossa has played well at times for the Mammoth, he has lacked consistency and has failed to earn more starts despite Karel Vejmelka's ongoing struggles. Vejmelka has allowed three or more goals in six straight games (1-5-0), posting an ugly .840 SV%. In his most recent outing, the 30-year-old Czech goalie allowed three goals on 20 shots (.850 SV%) in a 4-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Mammoth enter Thursday's contest as slight -108 home favourites against the St. Louis Blues, who have lost three of their past four games (1-2-1).

Skinner has been inconsistent this season, as he has been for most of his career, but he is on a three-game winning streak, posting a 2.96 GAA and an .870 SV%. That said, the 28-year-old goalie has allowed three or more goals in four of his past five games (2-3-0). The Jets enter Thursday's game as +153 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that beat them 3-2 in overtime earlier this season, a game in which Skinner saved 35 of 38 shots (.921 SV%).

Michael Rasmussen will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Mazur to enter the lineup. The 24-year-old Mazur is averaging 8:38 time-on-ice and has four points (1G / 3A) in 12 games.

Connors was a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft that made his NHL debut last season. In five career NHL games, Connors has one assist. The 23-year-old forward has seven points (1G / 6A) in 11 games with Ontario (AHL) this season.

Carter Mazur will draw into Detroit's lineup on Thursday, resulting in Rasmussen being a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Rasmussen is averaging 15:51 time-on-ice, with four points (1G / 3A) and a -0 plus/minus in 19 games.

Wedgewood's tremendous 2025-26 season, with a 2.02 GAA and .921 SV% in 45 appearances (31-6-6), was expected to earn him at least a timeshare in 2026-27, but he has struggled immensely this season. The 34-year-old Wedgewood has not played since November 3, when he was pulled midway through the game after allowing four goals on nine shots (.556 SV%) in a 7-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has allowed three or more goals in four of five games this season (1-3-1). The Avalanche enter Thursday's game as -101 road underdogs against the Ottawa Senators, who are 2-0-1 in their past three games.

Wallstedt has deservedly been the busiest goalie in the NHL this season, playing 17 of 20 games, posting a tremendous 1.93 GAA and .925 SV% with a 12-2-3 record. The 23-year-old Swedish goalie was excellent in Minnesota's previous game, saving 27 of 28 shots (.964 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens. He has allowed two or fewer goals in four straight games. The Wild enter Thursday's game as -169 road favourites against a struggling Toronto Maple Leafs team that is amid a four-game losing streak.

Mike Matheson (lower body) will return to Montreal's lineup on Thursday, sending Engstrom to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Engstrom is averaging 11:26 time-on-ice and has two points (1G / 1A) in 12 games this season.

Matheson has not played in over two weeks due to a lower-body injury, but appears to be nearing a return. Before his injury, the 32-year-old Matheson averaged 23:45 time on ice and had four points (1G / 3A) in eight games. Adam Engstrom will be a healthy scratch to accommodate the lineup change.

Kane has not played since suffering an upper-body injury on November 2nd, but could return on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. The veteran 37-year-old forward has been serviceable in his return to Chicago, scoring nine points (1G / 8A) in 15 games.

Kovacevic was limited to 7:25 time-on-ice in New Jersey's previous game, recording an assist before leaving with an undisclosed ailment. The 29-year-old defenseman is averaging 14:40 time-on-ice and has two assists in 13 games, but will be sidelined indefinitely.

With Brett Pesce (illness) out of the lineup, Kolyachonok will draw in for his season debut. The 25-year-old Kolyachonok has bounced around in recently, limited to just 55 games in the past four seasons, spending most of his time in the AHL.

Pesce has been a pivotal part of New Jersey's blueline this season, playing alongside Luke Hughes, but is battling an illness and will miss his first game of the season. The 31-year-old Pesce is averaging 20:59 time on ice and has eight points (1G / 7A) in 19 games. Vladislav Kolyachonok will enter the lineup for his season debut to accommodate Pesce's absence.

Hameenaho was a second-round pick of the Devils in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, but he has yet to play this season. The 22-year-old Finnish forward made his NHL debut last season, scoring eight points (2G / 6A) in 33 games.

Amadeus Lombardi will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Noesen to re-enter the lineup. The 33-year-old Noesen has three points (1G / 2A) in five games this season.

Stefan Noesen will re-enter New Jersey's lineup on Thursday, sending Lombardi to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Lombardi has four assists in 17 games this season.

MacEwen played 9:13 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, but is dealing with a wrist issue and did not practice on Wednesday. The 30-year-old is averaging 8:17 time-on-ice and has four points (2G / 2A) in 14 games this season.

The well-rested Stars return to action on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets. The Stars last played on November 7th, when Oettinger saved 20 of 23 shots (.870 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks. The 27-year-old Oettinger leads the NHL with three shutouts, but he has battled some adversity lately, allowing three or more goals in four of his last five games (4-1-0). The Stars enter Thursday's game as -170 home favourites against a surging Winnipeg Jets team riding a four-game winning streak.

Bussi had a surprising breakout last season as a 27-year-old rookie, ultimately leading the Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup Championship. However, early-season struggles and outstanding play from counterpart Pytor Kochetkov have made Bussi a secondary option in 2026-27. The 28-year-old Bussi has played only once in the past three weeks, but he was serviceable, saving 24 of 27 shots (.889 SV%) in a 5-3 win over the New York Islanders. The Hurricanes enter Thursday's game as significant -286 road favourites against the Seattle Kraken, who are 2-3-0 in their past five games.

Grubauer had an encouraging start to the 2026-27 season, but has returned to the inconsistent play that has made him a secondary option in recent seasons. The 34-year-old German goalie has started only once in the past two weeks, in a game where he allowed four goals on 14 shots (.714 SV%) in a 6-2 loss to the Calgary Flames. The Kraken enter Thursday's game as sizeable +248 home favourites against the Eastern Conference-leading Carolina Hurricanes.