NHL Hockey Player News

Kuemper was excellent in Monday's 4-1 win over the New York Rangers, saving 21 of 22 shots (.955 SV%), and is putting together a stretch of strong play as the Kings continue their last-season push for a playoff spot. The 35-year-old goalie has a solid 2.41 GAA and .905 SV% in his last five games (3-1-1). The Kings enter Thursday's contest as -179 favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team with points in four straight games (3-0-1).

Emberson has not played in over a week due to an undisclosed injury, but is targeting a return to Edmonton's lineup on the weekend. The 25-year-old defenseman is averaging 15:49 time-on-ice and has 12 points (2G / 10A) in 60 games this season.

Earlier this week, Oilers' Head Coach Kris Knoblauch indicated that Ingram is the team's starting goalie, and he is doubling down on that statement on Thursday, turning to him to tend the twine for the eighth time in the last 11 games. The 28-year-old Ingram was serviceable in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the San Jose Sharks, saving 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%). He has a 2.72 GAA and .896 SV% in eight games (6-1-1) since returning from the Olympic break. The Oilers enter Thursday's contest as -159 home favourites against a Florida Panthers team that has been outscored 11-4 in their last two games (0-2-0).

Kapanen has already missed 41 games this season due to a myriad of ailments and could miss another, as his status for Thursday's game against the Florida Panthers is uncertain. The 29-year-old Finnish forward was not at Edmonton's morning skate on Thursday. He has 15 points (7G / 8A) in 28 games this season.

Graves has not played since mid January, but is nearing a return after completing a conditioning stint with Wiles-Barre/Scranton (AHL). The 30-year-old defenseman is averaging 15:29 time-on-ice an has one goal in 19 games with Pittsburgh this season.

Pionk has been sidelined since mid-January, but appears to be nearing a return after being a full participant at morning skate on Thursday. The Jets, who are making a late-season push for a Wild Card spot, would greatly benefit from Pionk returning to the lineup. The 30-year-old defenseman was averaging 22:47 time-on-ice, recording eight points (2G / 6A), 64 blocks, and 84 hits in 40 games before his injury.

Dobes has had a wildly inconsistent season with Montreal, but appears to be riding a hot streak and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 24-year-old Czech goalie was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime win over the Boston Bruins. He has a 2.27 GAA and .914 SV% in his last four games (3-1-0). The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as -112 road favourites against a Red Wings team coming off a 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames.

With Bobby Brink (upper body) returning from a multi-game absence, Fabbri will head to the sidelines to accommodate his return. The 30-year-old Fabbri is averaging 9:08 time-on-ice and has zero points through four games with Minnesota.

Greaves was tremendous in his previous outing, saving 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) in a commanding 5-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The 24-year-old Greaves has been a key contributor in helping Columbus get within reach of a Wild Card spot, posting an impressive 2.29 GAA and .914 SV% in his last 13 appearances (10-0-2). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as sizeable -216 home favourites against a New York Rangers team that has been outscored 10-4 in their last two games (0-2-0).

The Jets continue to hover around reaching distance of a Wild Card spot and could desperately use Hellebuyck to return to the form that helped him win three Vezina trophies in order to get them an extra boost. That said, the 32-year-old Hellebuyck has struggled with consistency this season. He allowed three goals on 23 shots (.870 SV%) in his previous outing, a 4-3 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators, giving him a pedestrian 2.63 GAA and .902 SV% in nine games (4-2-3) since returning from the Olympic break. The Jets enter Thursday's contest as +114 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that has lost three of its last four games (1-1-2).

Minnesota acquired Brink in a trade from Philadelphia before the trade deadline, but he battled an upper-body ailment that has kept him sidelined for over a week. The 24-year-old has played three games with Minnesota so far, recording one goal and a +2 plus/minus rating.

Wallstedt made an early case for winning the Calder trophy for the NHL's best rookie earlier this season, posting an outstanding 1.45 GAA and .954 SV% during a 10-game stretch (9-1-0), but has not been able to maintain that pace. The 23-year-old Swedish goalie has a less-than-stellar 3.09 GAA and .899 SV% in six appearances since returning from the Olympic break (0-2-2). Still, Minnesota enters Thursday's contest as sizable -220 home favourites in a rematch against a Chicago Blackhawks team that they defeated 4-3 in overtime on Tuesday.

Sorokin was excellent in New York's previous games, saving 26 of 27 shots (.963 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. The 30-year-old Sorokin has been one of the NHL's most consistent goalies this season. That said, he has not needed to be spectacular since returning from the Olympic break, posting a 2.73 GAA and .904 SV% in seven games (5-2-0). The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as +116 road underdogs against a Senators team that narrowly avoided being shut out last night, losing 4-1 to the Washington Capitals.

Jarventie was a second-round pick of the Ottawa Senators in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He played seven games with Ottawa in the 2023-24 season, but has otherwise played exclusively in the AHL. With Leon Draisaitl (lower body) placed on Injured Reserve, Jarventie has been recalled and could get a chance to draw into Edmonton's lineup. Jarventie has 36 points (17G / 19A) in 52 games with Bakersfield (AHL) this season.

The Jets continue to hover around reaching distance of a Wild Card spot and could desperately use Hellebuyck to return to the form that helped him win three Vezina trophies in order to get them an extra boost. That said, the 32-year-old Hellebuyck has struggled with consistency this season. He allowed three goals on 23 shots (.870 SV%) in his previous outing, a 4-3 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators, giving him a pedestrian 2.63 GAA and .902 SV% in nine games (4-2-3) since returning from the Olympic break. The Jets enter Thursday's contest as +114 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that has lost three of its last four games (1-1-2).

Vaakanainen exited Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils due to an upper-body injury after only playing five shifts in the first period. The 27-year-old Finnish defenseman is averaging 13:48 time-on-ice and has six assists in 33 games this season. New York recalled Connor Mackey from Hartford (AHL) in a corresponding move.

Already without Dylan Larkin (lower body), the Red Wings' depth at center has struggled even more with Copp sidelined for the last week. That said, Red Wings' Head Coach Todd McLellan had reassuring news on Wednesday, indicating that Copp is ahead of his original recovery schedule and could possibly play on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens.