Luukkonen was terrific in Monday's 2-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%), and will hope for more goal support on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 26-year-old Luukkonen has been solid in recent weeks, posting a 2.45 GAA and .919 SV% in his last nine games (6-2-1). The Sabres enter the action on Thursday as +105 road underdogs against a Canadiens team they defeated 3-2 one week ago.
Salomonsson had missed Winnipeg's previous two games due to illness but will return vs. Florida on Thursday. The 21-year-old Swedish defensemen has yet to pick up an NHL point in any of his six games played and is a -5 plus/minus with six SOG while averaging just 15:49 TOI.
With the return of Will Smith and the emergence of Pavol Regenda, Igor Chernyshov found himself the odd man out and was re-assigned to the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) on Thursday. The 20-year-old Russian forward will surely be San Jose's first call up when needed after he had an impressive first NHL stint, with three goals and 11 points in 15 games played.
Andersen has had a woeful time in Carolina's net this season, but is coming off of his best performance in weeks, saving 29 of 30 shots (.967 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils. Prior to that, he had a disappointing 3.64 GAA and .840 SV% in his previous 12 games (2-7-3). The Hurricanes enter Thursday's contest as significant -295 home favorites against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Kuemper missed two weeks in mid-December due to an upper-body injury, and though it's unclear if this injury is related, his presence at practice on Thursday is an encouraging sign. Anton Forsberg will likely be between the pipes if Kuemper is not ready to play on Sunday against the St. Louis Blues.
Kurashev has not played in over five weeks, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. The 26-year-old forward has 15 points (6G / 9A) in 31 games this season.
Chytil has not played since mid-October, limited to only six games this season, but could return to the lineup on Friday against the New Jersey Devils. The 26-year-old Czech forward had three goals in six games before his injury, but has unfortunately had trouble staying healthy over the past few seasons.
Sherwood has not played in nearly two weeks due to an undisclosed injury, and his first game with the San Jose Sharks will have to wait, but it should be before the Olympic break. The 29-year-old hard-hitting Sherwood truly broke out last season, scoring 40 points (19G / 21A) and recording an absurd 462 hits in 78 games. He has continued the 2025-26 season on a similar pace, with 23 points (17G / 6A) and 210 hits through 44 games.
Kuemper missed two weeks in mid-December due to an upper-body injury, and though it's unclear if this injury is related, his presence at practice on Thursday is an encouraging sign. Anton Forsberg will likely be between the pipes if Kuemper is not ready to play on Sunday against the St. Louis Blues.
Huberdeau was a surprise absence on Wednesday, with the Flames not announcing it until before warmups, but he is expected to play on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The 32-year-old Huberdeau is having a disappointing season, with only 21 points (8G / 13A) in 44 games. He has been held off the scoresheet in 11 of his last 13 games.
Halliday made his NHL debut earlier this season, recording six points (0G / 6A) in 18 games, but has split time with Belleville (AHL). The 23-year-old Halliday was drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He will draw into the lineup for an injured David Perron (sports hernia).
Suter has not played in nearly four weeks because of a high-ankle sprain, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. The 29-year-old Swiss forward has 14 points (7G / 7A) in 37 games this season.
Sergei Bobrovsky has struggled the past few weeks, resulting in a slight uptick in playing time for Tarasov, who will return to the crease on Thursday. The 26-year-old Tarasov has a 2.64 GAA and .908 SV% in his last five games (3-1-1). The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as slight -102 road underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets team that has points in six of their last seven games (5-1-1).
Sergei Bobrovsky has struggled the past few weeks, resulting in a slight uptick in playing time for Tarasov, who will likely return to the crease on Thursday. The 26-year-old Tarasov has a 2.64 GAA and .908 SV% in his last five games (3-1-1). The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as slight -102 road underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets team that has points in six of their last seven games (5-1-1).
Perron is averaging only 13:26 time-on-ice, his lowest total since his rookie season in 2007-08, but he has remained productive, with 25 points (10G / 15A) in 49 games. That said,the 37-year-old veteran forward will be sidelined into March because of a sports hernia injury.
Johansson has been sidelined for the last week because of a lower-body injury, but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 35-year-old Johansson is pacing for career-best offensive totals, with 34 points (13G / 21A) in 46 games. That said, his production has cooled down in recent weeks, with only two points (1G / 1A) in his last eight games.
Eriksson Ek has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury two weeks ago, but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old Eriksson Ek is averaging 19:34 time-on-ice and has 32 points (11G / 21A) in 45 games this season. If he is able to play, expect him to return to his role on the team's top powerplay unit.
