Leonard will be take a seat on Thursday in order to make way for Andrew Copp's return from a lower-body injury. Leonard has two goals and two assists in 11 games this season.
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 will play on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens.
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.
Matthews was involved in a knee-on-knee collision with Ducks captain Radko Gudas last week and was almost immediately ruled out for the remainder of the season. Gudas was issued a five-minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct penalty on the play, and is now serving a five-game suspension. Matthews' injury caps what has been a nightmare season for the Maple Leafs. His season comes to an abrupt end after 60 games, with career lows of 27 goals and 26 assists.
The Senators have relied heavily on Linus Ullmark during their post-Olympic push for a playoff spot, but they will turn to Reimer in the tail end of a back-to-back on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 38-year-old Reimer was excellent in his only appearance since returning from the Olympic break, saving all 16 shots he faced in a 2-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks for his first shutout of the season. The Senators enter Thursday's contest as -126 home favourites against an Islanders team that is 4-1-0 in their last five games.
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).
Tuch is dealing with an illness and did not play on Tuesday, but should re-enter the lineup on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 29-year-old Tuch is having an excellent season with Buffalo, scoring 57 points (28G / 29A) through 65 games despite seeing very little deployment on the team's top powerplay unit. He has nine points (6G / 3A) in his last eight games.
Armia hasn't played in three weeks due to an upper-body injury, but he could re-enter the lineup this weekend. The 32-year-old Finn has ten goals and ten assists in 53 games this season.
Kempe was a late scratch in Monday's win over the New York Rangers due to a lower-body injury. Kings' Head Coach D. J. Smith indicated that Kempe almost played on Monday, suggesting his return to the lineup is likely near, possibly as soon as Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 29-year-old forward has found instant chemistry since Artemi Panarin joined the team, scoring 12 points (6G / 6A) in 10 games.
Niko Mikkola will draw back into Florida's lineup on Thursday, sending Sebrango to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Sebrango is averaging 13:21 time-on-ice and has two assists in 28 games this season.
Hinostroza has played the last several games for the Panthers, but after a disappointing 5-2 loss to the league-worst Vancouver Canucks, they will switch things up on Thursday, sending Hinostroza to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 31-year-old forward is averaging 10:17 time-on-ice and has 13 points (5G / 8A) in 52 games this season.
Mikkola missed his first game of the season in Florida's previous game, a disappointing 5-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, but he will re-enter the lineup on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 29-year-old Mikkola is averaging 20:22 time-on-ice and has 11 points (3G / 8A) in 55 games this season.
The Panthers have been dealing with a myriad of injuries, regularly rotating players in and out of the lineup for maintenance purposes. Luostarinen will draw back into Florida's lineup on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers after having the night off in their previous game. The 27-year-old Luostarinen has 25 points (8G / 17A) in 25 games this season.
The Panthers have been dealing with a myriad of injuries, regularly rotating players in and out of the lineup for maintenance purposes. Rodrigues will draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers after having the night off in Florida's previous game. The 32-year-old Rodrigues has 28 points (11G / 17A) in 65 games this season.
Foote was a first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, but he has spent most of is career in the AHL so far. The 25-year-old forward has 32 points (14G / 18A) in 54 games this season with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). He made his season debut with Florida earlier this week, scoring zero points in 8:23 time-on-ice.
Hill has had a poor 2025-26 season, but seems to be turning a corner after stringing together several promising starts. Despite an unspectacular 3-3-0 record, Hill is playing his best hockey of the season over his last six games, boasting a 1.83 GAA and .916 SV%. He saved 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) in Vegas' previous game, a 2-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The Golden Knights enter Thursday's contest as -134 home favourites against a Utah Mammoth team coming off an impressive 6-3 win over the Dallas Stars, their only regulation loss in their last 16 games (14-1-1).
Bobrovsky has had a disappointing 2025-26 season but seemed to be turning a corner after the Olympic break, posting a solid 2.21 GAA and .925 SV% in five games (3-2-0). However, his string of strong play abruptly ended on Tuesday, allowing five goals on 22 shots (.773 SV%) in a disappointing 5-2 loss to the league-worst Vancouver Canucks. The Panthers enter Thursday's game as +135 road underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers team with points in three straight games (2-0-1).
The Flyers have relied heavily on Dan Vladar since returning from the Olympic break, but they will turn to Ersson, who has played well lately, on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 26-year-old Ersson saved 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-1 win over the Washington Capitals, and has saved 47 of the last 50 shots he's faced (.940 SV%) across three appearances (2-0-0). The Flyers enter Thursday's contest as +149 road underdogs against a Kings team coming off a 4-1 win over the New York Rangers.
The league-worst Vancouver Canucks are coming off an impressive 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers, courtesy of a 21-save performance (.913 SV%) from Lankinen, who will return to the crease on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 30-year-old Finnish goalie has allowed three or fewer goals in his last three outings (1-1-1), posting a 2.01 GAA and .927 SV%. That said, the Canucks enter Thursday's contest as significant +246 home underdogs against a Lightning team coming off a 6-2 win over the Seattle Kraken.
The Sabres continue to win regardless of who tends the twine, coming off a 2-0 shutout victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, but they will revert to Lyon on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 33-year-old Lyon has allowed three or fewer goals in 17 of his last 18 outings (16-2-0), posting an impressive 2.25 GAA and .921 SV%. The Sabres enter Thursday's contest as -142 road favourites against a Sharks team they defeated 6-3 earlier this month.
