Colton has been productive in primarily a bottom-six role for Colorado this season, scoring 20 points (5G / 15A) in 45 games. It's unclear what Colton's status will be when the Avalanche return to action on Friday against the Nashville Predators.
Thomas is battling a lower-body injury, did not play on Tuesday, and will miss at least several more games after being placed on Injured Reserve. The 26-year-old Thomas is coming off a two-point performance (1G / 1A) and has 33 points (11G / 22A) in 42 games this season. Thomas has already missed five games this season and 12 in 2024-25, as injuries have become a recurring concern for the talented forward.
Heiskanen was a late scratch in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, tending to a personal matter, and will remain out of the lineup on Thursday against the Utah Mammoth. The 26-year-old Finnish defenseman is having an excellent season for Dallas, scoring 36 points (7G / 29A) through 46 games. As long as Heiskanen remains out of the lineup, expect an increase in deployment for Thomas Harley, who has been quarterbacking the team's top powerplay unit.
Lambos was drafted 26th-overall by Minnesota in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut earlier this season, playing one game. The 23-year-old Lambos has eight points (3G / 5A) in 34 games with Iowa (AHL) this season.
Erne has been in and out of the lineup in the last two weeks, and will re-enter on Thursday against the Utah Mammoth. The 30-year-ol Erne is averaging 9:28 time-on-ice and has four points (3G / 1A) in 19 games this season.
Oettinger was terrific in his most recent outing, saving 24 of 25 shots (.960 SV%), which the Stars hope is the beginning of an upward trend for their goalie, who posted an ugly 3.32 GAA and .879 SV% in his previous eight games (2-4-2). The 27-year-old Oettinger has a 2.70 GAA and .902 SV% in 29 games this season (17-8-4). The Stars enter the action on Thursday as slight -100 road underdogs against a Utah Mammoth team coming off an impressive 6-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, improving to 4-0-1 in their last five games.
Sorokin had been outstanding heading into the Islanders' previous game, allowing three or fewer goals in 18 of 19 games (12-6-1), posting a solid 2.04 GA and .932 SV%, but faltered from that on Tuesday, allowing five goals for the first time this season (.773 SV%) in a 5-4 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The 30-year-old Sorokin hopes to get back on track on Thursday, as the Islanders enter the action as +139 road underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers team that has points in five straight games (3-0-2).
Broberg exited Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights early in the first period because of a concussion and has not played since. Blues Head Coach Jim Montgomery said Broberg's progress has been encouraging and he could return to the lineup as soon as Friday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Sorokin had been outstanding heading into the Islanders' previous game, allowing three or fewer goals in 18 of 19 games (12-6-1), posting a solid 2.04 GA and .932 SV%, but faltered from that on Tuesday, allowing five goals for the first time this season (.773 SV%) in a 5-4 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The 30-year-old Sorokin hopes to get back on track on Thursday, as the Islanders enter the action as +139 road underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers team that has points in five straight games (3-0-2).
Dennis Hildeby was between the pipes in Toronto's previous game, a one-sided 6-1 loss to the Utah Mammoth, snapping their 10-game point streak (8-0-2), but they will revert to Woll on Thursday, as he looks to continue his recent surge of dominance. The 27-year-old Woll has helped his team record a point in eight straight games (7-0-1), posting a 2.53 GAA and .914 SV%. He has been solid all season, boasting a 2.54 GAA and .918 SV% in 18 games (11-4-2). The Maple Leafs enter Thursday's contest as +117 road underdogs against a Vegas Golden Knights team that defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 in overtime last night.
Lankinen was excellent in Vancouver's most recent game, arguably his best outing of the season, saving 38 of 40 shots (.950 SV%), but the team's struggles continued, falling short in a 2-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Despite a 2-3-1 record, the 30-year-old Lankinen has had some strong outings in recent weeks, posting a 2.82 GAA and .909 SV% in his last six games. The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as +140 road underdogs against a Columbus Blue Jackets team on a two-game winning streak.
Eriksson Ek exited last Thursday's 3-2 overtime win over the Seattle Kraken after only 7:57 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury and has not played since. The 28-year-old Eriksson Ek is averaging 19:34 time-on-ice and has 32 points (11G / 21A) in 45 games this season. His next chance to draw into the lineup will be on Saturday afternoon against the Buffalo Sabres.
Gostisbehere has overcoming an illness and did not practice on Thursday, but could still be an option on Friday against the Florida Panthers. The 32-year-old defenseman has cooled off a little, but is still having an excellent season, with 32 points (6G / 26A) in 35 games.
Carrier is battling an undisclosed injury did not play for Carolina on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings, but could return to the lineup on Friday against the Florida Panthers. The 31-year-old Carrier scored a goal in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Seattle Kraken, giving him 10 points (5G / 5A) in 38 games this season.
Mayo played three games for the Blue Jackets this season, recording one assist, but has spent most of the season with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). The 29-year-old defenseman had played exclusively in the AHL the previous two seasons.
Vejmelka has had an up-and-down season, posting a 2.58 GAA and .900 SV% in 35 games (21-11-2), but has been outstanding lately. The 29-year-old Czech goalie is riding a four-game winning streak, allowing two or fewer goals in each game, boasting a tremendous 1.49 GAA and .943 SV%. Utah enters the action on Thursday as slight -110 home favorites against the struggling Dallas Stars, who own the NHL's second-best record (27-11-9) despite only winning two of their previous 10 games (2-4-4).
Hellebuyck is on a two-game winning streak, snapping a miserable 10-game losing skid (0-6-4), but has remained unspectacular between the pipes. The 32-year-old Hellebuyck, a three-time Vezina Trophy winner, has a dreadful sub-.900 SV% in 10 consecutive games (2-5-3). The Jets enter the action on Thursday as +124 road underdogs against a Minnesota Wild team coming off a disappointing 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils in their previous game.
Morgan Barron (upper body) will return from a one-week absence, sending Zhilkin to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Barron is averaging 12:57 time-on-ice and has 14 points (7G / 7A) in 36 games this season.
Barron has not played in a week, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. The 27-year-old forward is averaging 12:57 time-on-ice and has 14 points (7G / 7A) in 36 games this season. Danny Zhilkin will be the odd man out of the lineup as a healthy scratch.
Stromgren recently made his NHL debut, playing three games, but will head to the press box as a healthy scratch on Thursday. The 22-year-old Swedish forward is averaging 7:17 time-on-ice and is still searching for his first career point.
