NHL Hockey Player News

The Canucks will finish the 2025-26 season in last place, but will try to end on a high note, turning to Lankinen to tend the twine against the Edmonton Oilers. The 30-year-old Finnish goalie was solid in his previous outing, saving 31 of 34 shots (.912 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime win over the Los Angeles Kings. He has three wins in his last four games (3-1-0), but has an ugly 3.75 GAA and .884 SV% to go with it. The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as sizeable +270 road underdogs against an Oilers team trying to secure home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

With the postseason about to begin and healthy bodies returning to the Oilers' roster, Howard will head to the AHL to help Bakersfield on their playoff run. The 22-year-old rookie started the season with the Oilers, but had trouble producing, scoring only five points (2G / 3A) through 29 games. That said, he has excelled this year at the AHL level, scoring 47 points (22G / 25A) in 45 games with Bakersfield.

With the regular season wrapped up for the Red Wings, Shine will return to the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) to give them a boost for their playoff run. The 32-year-old Shine played a career-high 18 games with the Red Wings, including scoring his first-career NHL goal.

With the regular season wrapped up for the Red Wings, Sandin-Pellikka will return to the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) to give them a boost for their playoff run. The 21-year-old defenseman spent most of the 2025-26 season in the NHL, his rookie season, scoring 21 points (7G / 14A) in 68 games.

With the regular season wrapped up for the Red Wings, Mazur will head to the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) to give them a boost for their playoff run. The 24-year-old Mazur played eight games with the Red Wings this season, averaging 10:42 time-on-ice and scoring zero points.

With the regular season wrapped up for the Red Wings, Brandsegg-Nygard will return to the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) to give them a boost for their playoff run. The 20-year-old Norwegian forward recently made his NHL debut and tallied one assist in 14 games.

Devin Cooley is battling an illness and will not suit up for Calgary's final game of the season, resulting in Arsenii Sergeev being recalled from the Calgary Wranglers (AHL). The 23-year-old Sergeev was a seventh-round pick of the Flames in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and is expected to make his NHL debut on Thursday. In his first professional season, he has a 3.29 GAA and .898 SV% in 28 games with the Wranglers in the AHL (5-13-8). The Flames enter Thursday's contest as +136 home underdogs against a red-hot Los Angeles Kings that is 6-0-2 in their last eight games.

With the Kings still battling for playoff positioning in their final game of the season, they will turn to Anton Forsberg, who has been their go-to option between the pipes in recent weeks. The 33-year-old Swedish goalie was solid in his most recent outing, saving 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 5-3 win over the Seattle Kraken. Forsberg elevated his game in April to help his team clinch a playoff berth, posting an excellent 1.37 GAA and .950 SV% in five games (5-0-0). The Kings enter Thursday's contest as -151 road favourites against a Calgary Flames team that has been limited to just one goal in three of their last four games (1-3-0).

Toews had the night off in Colorado's previous game, but he will suit up for their season finale on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. The 31-year-old Toews has missed some time due to injuries this season, partly resulting in his decline in offensive totals. With 24 points (3G / 21A) through 67 games, he will finish the season with his lowest offensive output since his 18-point season as a rookie with the New York Islanders in 2018-19.

Nelson had the night off in Colorado's previous game, but he will suit up for their season finale on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. The 34-year-old Nelson's first full season in Colorado has been a success, scoring 65 points (33G / 32A) through 80 games.

Ostlund has not played in over three weeks due to an upper-body injury, and his availability to start the playoffs is uncertain. The 22-year-old Swedish forward is averaging 13:58 time-on-ice and has 27 points (11G / 16A) in 60 games this season.

Carrick suffered an upper-body injury in a fight with Anders Lee of the New York Islanders on March 31st and has not played since. The 34-year-old has 16 points (9G / 7A) and 65 penalty minutes in 73 games this season. He is inching closer to a return, but is not likely to be ready to start the playoffs.

After not starting a game in over a month, Ellis played twice in the last two weeks with Buffalo wrapping up their season and was given the day off on Thursday. The 25-year-old Ellis was serviceable in limited action this season, posting a 2.90 GAA and .903 SV% in 16 games (8-4-2).

A starter has not been announced for Buffalo's opening-game of the playoffs against the Boston Bruins on Sunday, but if Lyon is able to suit up, given that he has not played in weeks, he will likely serve as the backup to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. The 33-year-old Lyon was struggling before his injury, resulting in his starting only one of the team's last five games. The team hopes Lyon's extended rest can help him reset and return to early-season form if he is called upon in the playoffs.

Entering their final game of the regular season, the Avalanche will rest some key players, including Nathan MacKinnon. The 30-year-old MacKinnon ends the 2025-26 season by reaching the 100-point plateau for the fourth consecutive year, ending with 127 points (53G / 47A) in 80 games. That said, MacKinnon's dominance wavered in the final weeks of the season as games lacked importance, scoring only seven points (4G / 3A) in his last eight contests.

Stankoven is battling an illness and did not practice on Thursday, but will be hopeful to play when Carolina opens the postseason on Saturday. Stankoven has been an effective offensive contributor in his previous two postseasons and hopes to carry his late-season momentum into a deep playoff run for the Hurricanes. The 23-year-old has nine points (7G / 2A) during a six-game point streak.

Entering their final game of a disappointing 2025-26 season, the reigning Presidents' Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets will prepare for an offseason without playoff hockey after one final game on Thursday, turning to Comrie to tend the twine against the San Jose Sharks. The 30-year-old Comrie allowed four goals on 35 shots (.886 SV%) in his previous outing, a 5-3 loss to the Utah Mammoth. That said, Comrie had been on an impressive run heading into the game, posting a 1.48 GAA and .943 SV% in his previous six starts (6-0-0). The Jets enter Thursday's contest as -157 home favourites against a Sharks team that has lost four of their last five (1-3-1).

Entering their final game of the regular season, the Avalanche will rest some key players, including Martin Necas. The 27-year-old Czech forward recorded an assist in the final minutes on Colorado's previous game, helping him reach the 100-point plateau for the first time in his career (38G / 62A).