Okuliar is a 24-year-old undrafted forward from Slovakia. He has spent the last two seasons playing with Hradec Kralove (Czech) and scored 45 points (24G / 21A) in 52 games in the 2023-24 campaign.
The Coyotes will likely continue their goalie rotation and turn to Vejmelka in the crease on Friday against the Edmonton Oilers. The Coyotes have won three of their last four (3-1-0), but Vejmelka has allowed four or more goals in his last three starts (1-2-0), including five on 25 shots (.800 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-0 blowout loss to the Seattle Kraken. Arizona enters action a +251 road underdog.
Okhotiuk had an assist in 16:45 TOI in San Jose on Tuesday but will come back out of the lineup in Los Angeles with Oliver Kylington returning to the lineup. Okhotiuk has one assist in seven games since being traded to Calgary.
Kylington missed the Flames' last game in San Jose, but will draw back into the lineup Thursday in Los Angeles. Since making his season debut, Kylington has picked up just five points (2G / 3A) in 28 games.
The Kings are coming off a disappointing 3-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks but will turn to Talbot between the pipes for the third straight game. Talbot has allowed three or fewer goals in three straight (2-1-0), but was unsuccessful against the Ducks, allowing three goals on 27 shots (.889 SV%). The Kings enter action on Thursday as -186 home favourites against the Calgary Flames.
The Flames snapped a three-game losing skid with a 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks courtesy of a strong performance from Dustin Wolf but will switch back to Markstrom in the crease on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. Markstrom has lost five of his last six games (1-5-0), including his most recent outing when he allowed three goals on 26 shots (.885 SV%) in a 4-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The Flames enter action as +166 road underdogs.
McCann missed Tuesday's game vs. the Coyotes with a lower-body injury, but will play Thursday vs. the Sharks. With McCann back, Logan Morrisson will take a seat. McCann comes into play with 14 points (3G / 11A) in his last 17 games.
Daccord has not played much lately due to a minor nagging injury but will return to the crease for the first time since March 30th. The 27-year-old Daccord has a 2.42 GAA and .918 SV% in 47 games (18-16-11) this season and has allowed two or fewer goals in his last four outings despite only salvaging a 1-2-1 record. Seattle enters action on Thursday as a -244 home favourite against the San Jose Sharks.
The Jets are riding a four-gaming winning streak and will give Connor Hellebuyck a rest on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Brossoit has played only one of the last eight games for the Jets but was serviceable in it, saving 25 of 28 shots (.893 SV%) in a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. The Jets enter action as +136 road underdogs.
Zohorna will make his first appearance since January 15th when the Penguins host the Red Wings on Thursday in a matchup chock-full of playoff implications. Zohorna has four goals and three assists in 31 games this season.
Puljujarvi will take a seat on Thursday as Radim Zohorna draws into the Penguins' lineup. Puljujarvi has three goals and one assist in 21 games this season.
Nylander was a late scratch on Tuesday after he left warmups due to an undisclosed injury but appears set to draw back into the lineup on Thursday. The 26-year-old has been one of Columbus' best stories this season after being acquired earlier this season, with 10 goals. 14 points, 55 SOG and a -1 plus/minus in 20 games played before the injury.
Eller is battling an illness and his status was up in the air for Thursday's matchup against the Detroit Red Wings. Eller has 29 points (15G / 14A) in 78 games this season. The Penguins recalled Radim Zohorna on Wednesday as a precaution.
The Devils have lost three straight and will ride Allen for the second straight contest. Allen has lost four of his last five starts, including his most recent outing when he allowed four goals on 36 shots (.889 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Devils enter action on Thursday as +175 road underdogs in a rematch against the Maple Leafs.
Hinostroza earned yet another call-up to Pittsburgh after putting up 15 goals and 32 points in 39 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The 30-year-old veteran has appeared in 14 games for the Penguins already this season, with one goal, three points, 27 SOG, and four PIMs.
Staal somehow managed an even plus/minus in Philadelphia's 9-3 loss to Montreal on Tuesday but will be the odd man out of the lineup on Thursday as Egor Zamula returns. The 37-year-old veteran defenseman has had a season to forget in his first year in Philadelphia, with a goal and five points, 14 PIMs, 20 SOG and a +2 plus/minus in 35 games played.
Zamula has been a healthy scratch for the Flyers' previous three games but will draw back in on Thursday vs. the Rangers as he takes the spot of Marc Staal. The 24-year-old has enjoyed a solid breakout season in 2023-24, with five goals, 20 points, 58 SOG, 32 PIMs and his +1 plus/minus through 63 games played.
Atkinson was a healthy scratch for Philadelphia's previous game but will draw back in on Thursday as Olle Lycksell is a healthy scratch. The 34-year-old is having his least productive season since 2012-13, with his 13 goals, 15 assists, 174 SOG, 25 PIMs and -22 plus/minus through 67 games played this year.
Graves' regular season is over after he was placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve on Thursday due to a concussion but has the potential to return during the playoffs if needed. The 28-year-old's inaugural season in Pittsburgh ends with his lowest point production since his rookie season with three goals, 14 points, 77 SOG, 30 PIMs and +10 plus/minus in 70 games played.
