NHL Hockey Player News

Utah hopes to return to the win column after losing three straight (0-0-3), turning to Vejmelka to tend the twine on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 29-year-old Vejmelka has allowed three or more goals in three of his last four games (1-1-2). He has a 2.85 GAA and .880 SV% in 14 games this season (8-4-2). The Mammoth enter Thursday's contest as slight -104 home underdogs against a Vegas team with points in four straight games (2-0-2).

Wedgewood continues to impress this season, earning regular starts despite the return of Mackenzie Blackwood, and will return to the crease on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old Wedgewood has a solid 2.17 GAA and .917 SV% in 15 appearances this season (11-1-2). He has allowed two or fewer goals in five straight games (5-0-0), posting a dazzling 1.40 GAA and .949 SV%. Colorado enters Thursday's contest as sizable -209 home favorites against a Rangers team that has scored two or fewer goals in three straight (1-2-0).

Darcy Kuemper is not travelling with the Kings' for their Thursday night game in San Jose to receive some extra rest. The Kings have recalled Copley to serve as the backup to Anton Forsberg. The 33-year-old Copley spent the majority of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, tallying a 2.49 GAA and .904 SV% in 42 games with the Ontario Reign (24-17-1).

Tarasenko has missed three straight games due to a lower-body injury, and has been placed on Injured Reserve retroactive to November 11th. The 33-year-old Tarasenko, in his first season with Minnesota, has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 18 games.

Holmstrom had a breakout 2024-25 season, scoring 45 points (20G / 25A) in 75 games, and is producing at a similar, albeit slightly lower rate, in 2025-26, with nine points (4G / 5A) through 19 games. Maxim Tsyplakov will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Holmstom's return.

Simon Holmstrom (illness) will return to the Islanders' lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings, sending Tsyplakov back to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Tsyplakov had a decent rookie season in 2024-25, scoring 35 points (10G / 25A) in 77 games, but has struggled to produce offense in 2025-26, with only one point (1G / 0A) through 13 games.

Dmitri Simashev will draw back into Utah's lineup on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights, resulting in Maatta being a healthy scratch. The 31-year-old Maatta is averaging a career-low 11:48 time-on-ice and has one assist in 16 games this season. Before this season, Maatta's career-average ice time was 18:27.

Olli Maatta will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights, allowing Simashev to return after a one-game absence. The 20-year-old Simashev is averaging 15:41 time-on-ice and has one assist through 19 games in his rookie season.

Wedgewood continues to impress this season, earning regular starts despite the return of Mackenzie Blackwood, and will likely return to the crease on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old Wedgewood has a solid 2.17 GAA and .917 SV% in 15 appearances this season (11-1-2). He has allowed two or fewer goals in five straight games (5-0-0), posting a dazzling 1.40 GAA and .949 SV%. Colorado enters Thursday's contest as sizable -209 home favorites against a Rangers team that has scored two or fewer goals in three straight (1-2-0).

Durzi has not played since the second game of the season, recovering from an upper-body injury, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup after practicing on Thursday. The 27-year-old Durzi was solid in limited action with Utah last season, scoring 11 points (4G / 7A) in 30 games.

Bertuzzi has not played since November 12th, and was previously a game-time decision for several games, but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. The 30-year-old Bertuzzi is off to an excellent start to the 2025-26 season, recording 15 points (9G / 6A), 36 shots, and 17 hits in 16 games.

Greaves has had a heavy workload lately for the Blue Jackets, starting five of their last six games, and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old Greaves saved 29 of 32 shots (.906 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-3 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens. He has a 2.79 GAA and .904 SV% in 12 games this season (6-4-2). The Blue Jackets enter the action on Thursday as -111 road favorites against a Maple Leafs team that has several key injuries and has lost five of their last six (1-4-1).

Nicolas Deslauriers will draw back into Philadelphia's lineup on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues, sending Grebenkin to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Grebenkin, in his first season with the Flyers, has three points (1G / 2A) and 20 hits in 12 games.

Nikita Grebenkin will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues, allowing Deslauriers to re-enter the lineup. The 34-year-old Deslauriers has played two of the last three games for the Flyers and has 26 hits in eight games this season.

Hedman has not played since November 8th and is apparently no closer to returning, out week-to-week with an undisclosed injury. The 34-year-old Hedman has 12 points (0G / 12A) through 15 games this season. Darren Raddysh has served as the quarterback on the team's top powerplay unit while Hedman has been sidelined.

Yegor Chinakhov will draw back into the Islanders lineup on Thursday, sending Aston-Reese to the sidelines as a healthy scratch against his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old Aston-Reese is averaging 10:20 time-on-ice, recording three assists and 34 hits in 13 games this season.

Zach Aston-Reese will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, allowing Chinakhov to re-enter the lineup. The 24-year-old Chinakhov has four points (2G / 2A) in 14 games and has been held off the scoresheet in eight straight.