Nugent-Hopkins has been sidelined since November 8th due to an undisclosed injury, but he could return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. Despite a subpar start to the season for the Oilers, Nugent-Hopkins provided ample production before his injury, scoring 16 points (5G / 11A) in 16 games. The 32-year-old forward is pacing for only the second point-per-game season of his career.
Dickinson will play in his first game since October 30th, and just his ninth game of the season on Sunday. The third-line centre will replace an unnamed forward in the lineup as the Blackhawks continue to roll with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
Andersen allowed three goals on 19 shots in the Hurricanes shootout loss in Minnesota on Wednesday. Andersen has struggled in his last six outings, losing five of them (1-3-2) while posting an .866 SV%. This afternoon he'll face a Sabres team that is getting healthier, but the Hurricanes are large -183 road favourites.
Timothy Liljegren will draw back into San Jose's lineup on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings, sending Mukhamadulin to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Mukhamadulin has four assists in nine games this season.
With Jake Neighbours (lower body) set to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers, Joseph will head to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 28-year-old Joseph is averaging 12:38 time-on-ice, recording six points (2G / 4A) and 32 blocks through 17 games this season.
The Hurricanes have received stellar netminding from Pyotr Kochetkov since his debut in early November, but the team has remained committed to alternating its goalies and will turn to Andersen on Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild. The 36-year-old Andersen has been far from spectacular this season, allowing three or more goals in eight of 10 contests (5-4-1), posting a 3.10 GAA and .886 SV%. The Hurricanes enter Wednesday's contest as -158 road favorites against a Wild team that has points in five straight games (4-0-1) despite scoring two or fewer goals three times.
The Hurricanes have received stellar netminding from Pyotr Kochetkov since his debut in early November, but the team has remained committed to alternating its goalies and will likely turn to Andersen on Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild. The 36-year-old Andersen has been far from spectacular this season, allowing three or more goals in eight of 10 contests (5-4-1), posting a 3.10 GAA and .886 SV%. The Hurricanes enter Wednesday's contest as -158 road favorites against a Wild team that has points in five straight games (4-0-1) despite scoring two or fewer goals three times.
The Oilers will likely go with an 11-7 formation on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals, with Emberson drawing in on the blueline. The 25-year-old Emberson has three points (1G / 2A) and is averaging 15:44 time-on-ice in 16 games this season.
The Oilers faithful had high expectations for Howard entering his first NHL season, but has had trouble adjusting from the collegiate level. The 21-year-old has three points (2G / 1A) in 17 games this season and will hope to rediscover his scoring touch in the AHL with the Bakersfield Condors (AHL).
Dickinson missed four games earlier this season due to an upper-body injury and has missed the last five while tending to a shoulder injury. The 30-year-old Dickinson is averaging 14:16 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in eight games this season.
Hyman missed the second half of last year's playoffs after enduring an upper-body injury and has yet to play in the 2025-26 season. Hyman is just one season removed from a 54-goal campaign in 2023-24 and will hope to get off to a hot start when he is able to return.
Timothy Liljegren will draw back into San Jose's lineup on Thursday against the Calgary Flames, sending Mukhamadullin to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Mukhamadullin is averaging 16:12 time-on-ice and has four points (0G / 4A) in seven games this season.
Ty Emberson will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, allowing Regula re-enter the lineup for only the fifth time this season. The 25-year-old Regular is averaging 14:42 time-on-ice and has zero points.
David Tomasek will return to the Oilers' lineup on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, sending Howard to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 21-year-old Howard has played 17 of 18 games for the Oilers in his rookie season and has scored three points (2G / 1A) while averaging 9:30 time-on-ice.
