NHL Hockey Player News

Swayman was outstanding in Boston's most recent games, saving all 24 shots he faced for his first shutout of the season in a 3-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The 27-year-old goalie has been excellent lately, allowing two or fewer goals in five of his last six games (4-1-1). He has a 2.79 GAA and .904 SV% through 32 games this season (18-11-2). The Bruins enter Thursday's contest as -163 home favorites against a Seattle Kraken team that has struggled offensively, scoring two or fewer goals in three of their last four games (1-1-2).

Brink left last Tuesday's game vs. Anaheim after just one shift and 26 seconds TOI due to an upper-body injury and has not played since. The 24-year-old forward has taken a step forward offensively in his third NHL season this year, with 11 goals, 20 points and 71 SOG in 41 games played. Despite being placed on Injured Reserve, he seemingly nearing a return to the lineup and is eligible to be activated at any time.

Knight was solid in his most recent game, despite losing 4-1 to the Edmonton Oilers, saving 33 of 36 shots (.917 SV%) in the effort. The 24-year-old goalie has been effective over the past two weeks, posting a 2.62 GAA and .911 SV% in five games (3-1-1). He has a 2.63 GAA and .910 SV% in 31 games this season (13-12-6). The Blackhawks enter Thursday's contest as -113 home favorites against a Calgary Flames team that has lost five of its last six games (1-5-0).

Gustafsson, an NHL veteran of 516 games, played one with the Red Wings earlier this season, but has spent most of the 2025-26 in the AHL. The 33-year-old defenseman has 20 points (2G / 18A) in 22 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL).

Severson has been battling an illness, but he will return from a one-game absence on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 31-year-old Severson is averaging 19:58 time-on-ice and has 17 points (3G / 14A) in 45 games this season.

Damon Severson missed the Blue Jackets' previous game because of an illness, which is seemingly spread through the team's dressing room, resulting in Zamula being out on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 25-year-old Zamula is averaging a career-high 17:20 through four games with the Blue Jackets.

Bardakov has been an effective fourth-line contributor for the Avalanche in his first NHL season. The 24-year-old forward is averaging 7:17 time-on-ice and has eight pints (1G / 7A) in 32 games this season.

Gudbranson has been plagued with injuries this season, missing two weeks in early October with a lower-body injury, returning for a game, suffering a hip injury, and has been sidelined for nearly three months. The 33-year-old Gudbranson is in his 15th NHL season, his fourth with the Blue Jackets, and was set to be a lineup-regular this season after being limited to only 16 games in 2024-25 because of a shoulder injury.

Merzlikins has only played two games in the last five weeks, but he will get a chance to showcase his abilities in Rick Bowness' second game as the Head Coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 31-year-old Merzlikins started the season in a timeshare with Jet Greaves, but quickly lost the trust of the coaching staff, allowing three or more goals in his last 12 games (4-7-1) while posting a dreadful 4.24 GAA and .861 SV%. The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as -159 home favorites against a plummeting Vancouver Canucks team that is on an eight-game losing streak (0-6-2).

Skinner was solid in his most recent outing, saving 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%), but received no goal support in a 1-0 loss to the Boston Bruins. The 27-year-old Skinner had a concerning start to his Penguins tenure, posting an ugly 4.01 GAA and .831 SV% in his first three games (0-3-0), but has been nearly perfect since, posting a 1.03 GAA and .955 SV% in four games (3-1-0). The Penguins enter the action on Thursday as -158 home favorites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that has been dominated in recent games, outscored 17-5 during a three-game losing streak.

Smith has not played in nearly a month, but has ramped things up over the last week after returning to contact drills in practice, and could return to the lineup as soon as Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 20-year-old second-year player has 29 points (12G / 17A) in 33 games this season.