NHL Hockey Player News

Pickard has been limited to only one game in the last nine for the Oilers but will return to the crease on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The lack of play hasn't been an indictment on Pickard's play but rather a testament to Stuart Skinner's, as Pickard has been stellar when called upon, allowing three or fewer goals in his last three games (3-0-0), posting a serviceable .904 SV%. The Oilers, winners of 14 straight, are gargantuan -601 home favourites against a Blackhawks club defeated 6-2 by the Seattle Kraken last night.

Markstrom will start for the second straight game on Thursday when the Flames host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Markstrom struggled in his return from a lower-body injury on Tuesday, allowing four goals, three unanswered, on 26 shots (.846 SV%) in a heart-breaking last-minute 4-3 regulation loss to the St. Louis Blues. The Flames, losers of three straight, are -179 home favourites against a Blue Jackets team that has been outscored 8-2 in their last two games (0-2-0).

Hanley has played each of the 10 games that Miro Heiskanen has been out of the lineup with a lower-body injury but will be a healthy scratch on Thursday as Heiskanen makes his return. Hanley recorded two points (0G / 2A) in that stretch.

Heiskanen will return to the lineup from a 10-game absence due to a lower-body injury, playing his first game since January 4th. After a slow start to the season with only seven points in his first 13 games (1G / 6A), Heiskanen was starting to come into his own, scoring 20 points (3G / 17A) in his last 24 games. Heiskanen should re-take his role on the top powerplay unit, occupied by Thomas Harley in his absence.

Oettinger will start for the second straight game on Thursday in a favourable matchup against the low-scoring Anaheim Ducks, as the Stars are sizeable -326 home favourites. Oettinger has showcased a mixed bag of results all season, a trend that has continued since returning from a three-week absence due to a lower-body injury, allowing four or more goals in five games (3-2-0), posting a serviceable .910 SV%.

Kane has missed the last four games due to a lower-body injury but returned to practice on Wednesday. Earlier this week, Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde suggested that Kane could return before the All-Star break. Kane has been a major contributor in the Red Wings offence, scoring 16 points (7G / 9A) and tallying 63 shots in 19 games.

Husso has not played since December 18th, when he suffered a lower-body injury, and, as a result, has been loaned to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL for a conditioning stint before returning to the Red Wings. Husso, sporting a 3.53 GAA and .893 SV% through 18 games (9-5-2-), will likely serve as the backup to Alex Lyon upon his return.

Gustavsson will start his fifth straight game on Thursday and look to extend his winning streak to four. The 25-year-old Gustavsson has allowed three or fewer goals in three straight (3-0-0), posting a serviceable .919 SV%. Minnesota, -112 home favourites, face off against division rivals, the Nashville Predators, who have lost two straight, being outscored 7-3.

Duehr last played for the Flames on January 16th, registering one hit in 7:48 time-on-ice. His call-up is likely in correspondence to Adam Ruzicka being placed on waivers on Wednesday afternoon.

After a disappointing 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins last night with Linus Ullmark between the pipes, the Bruins will return to Swayman for the back end of their back-to-back. Swayman has been nearly unbeatable lately, allowing only three total goals in his last three games (3-0-0), boasting a sensational .964 SV%. The Bruins are -135 road favourites against the Ottawa Senators, who have points in four straight games (3-0-1).

Chaffee has not played since December 12th, when he registered two hits in 6:56 time-on-ice. He will likely line up on the fourth line with Luke Glendenning and Waltteri Merela.

Spencer Martin was stellar in his Hurricanes debut last night, a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins, but Raanta will likely tend the twine on Thursday, the back end of a back-to-back. After a forgettable start to the season that resulted in being placed on waivers with an atrocious .855 SV% in his first 15 games (7-5-1), Raanta has rebounded nicely, allowing three or fewer goals in six games (3-2-1), posting a still unimpressive but significantly improved .898 SV%. Despite playing last night, the Hurricanes are -155 home favourites against a struggling New Jersey Devils club.

Oettinger will start for the second straight game on Thursday in a favourable matchup against the low-scoring Anaheim Ducks, as the Stars are sizeable -326 home favourites. Oettinger has showcased a mixed bag of results all season, a trend that has continued since returning from a three-week absence due to a lower-body injury, allowing four or more goals in five games (3-2-0), posting a serviceable .910 SV%.

Ersson will start for the third straight game on Thursday and will likely continue to see the majority of action between the pipes for the Flyers, with Carter Hart away from the team on an indefinite leave of absence. Despite a solid season for the 24-year-old Ersson, he has allowed four goals in two straight (0-2-0), posting an ugly .846 SV%. The Flyers are +109 road underdogs against a Detroit Red Wings club with only two regulation losses in their last 10 games (7-2-1).

Chytil has been limited to 10 games this season, last playing on November 2nd when he exited the game with an upper-body injury. Before his injury, Chytil was playing almost exclusively on a line with Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere.

Bonino is unlikely to play on Friday after missing practice on Thursday due to personal reasons. The 35-year-old Bonino is averaging 12:15 time-on-ice this season and has been held off the scoresheet in 14 straight games.

Montembault had the night off in the Canadiens' previous contest, getting a chance to regroup after a forgettable performance in his last outing. Montembault allowed eight goals on 30 shots (.733 SV%) in a 9-4 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday, far and away his worst performance in an otherwise serviceable 2023-24 campaign. The Canadiens have dropped three straight (0-3-0), being outscored 19-7, and are +132 home underdogs against the New York Islanders, who are 3-6-1 in their last 10.

Montembault had the night off in the Canadiens' previous contest, getting a chance to regroup after a forgettable performance in his last outing. Montembault allowed eight goals on 30 shots (.733 SV%) in a 9-4 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday, far and away his worst performance in an otherwise serviceable 2023-24 campaign. The Canadiens have dropped three straight (0-3-0), being outscored 19-7, and are +132 home underdogs against the New York Islanders, who are 3-6-1 in their last 10.

Vasilevskiy has won five of his last six contests and will return to the crease for the third straight game on Thursday night. Vasilevskiy has struggled since returning from off-season back surgery in November but is amid a favourable stretch of play, allowing three or fewer goals in six straight (5-1-0), posting a serviceable .919 SV%. The Lightning has a favourable matchup as -206 home favourites against an Arizona Coyotes club that played last night, losing 6-2 to the Florida Panthers.