Rutta has missed the Penguins previous 10 games with a lower-body inury but is expected to draw back into the lineup Thursday. The 32-year-old has three goals, six assists, and a +2 plus/minus through 53 games this season.
Samsonov allowed two goals on 16 shots (.875 SV%) for his third loss in three games as he took the loss to Detroit in his previous game after entering a few minutes into the second period. The 26-year-old has been very solid for the Maple Leafs in his first season in Toronto, with his 25-10-4 record, 2.41 GAA and .915 SV%. He will take on the Boston Bruins, who have won three-straight and 10 of his last 11 games.
Levi allowed two goals on 36 shots (.944 SV%) for his first career loss as he was handed the defeat by the Florida Panthers in his previous start. The 21-year-old has been sensational in his two NHL starts this season, with his 1-1-0 record, 1.98 GAA and .942 SV%. He takes on the Detroit Red Wings, who have won four of their last five games and are 22nd in the NHL in goals per game (2.96).
Vanecek stopped 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) for his second win in three games as he beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in his previous start. The 27-year-old has enjoyed a strong first campaign in New Jersey, becoming the first goaltender since Martin Brodeur to reach 30+ wins, with his 31-11-4 record, 2.49 GAA and .909 SV%. He takes on the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have lost five of their last six games and are 30th in the NHL in goals per game (2.65).
Mantha has 11 goals, 16 assists, 119 SOG, 31 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 67 games played this season but will not be in the lineup Thursday vs. Montreal due to a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old is considered day-to-day until there are further updates on his injury.
Elliott allowed six goals on 34 shots (.824 SV%) as he snapped a two-game winning streak with a loss to Ottawa in his previous start. The 37-year-old Lightning backup has struggled this season despite the strong team in front of him, leading to his 11-6-2 record, 3.30 GAA and .891 SV%. He takes on the New York Islanders, who have lost four of their last six games but are 25th in the NHL in goals per game (2.9).
Cirelli has 11 goals, 17 assists, 107 SOG, 33 PIMs and a +12 plus/minus through 55 games played but will be out Thursday due to an undisclosed injury. The 25-year-old has already missed a large chunk of games for Tampa Bay this year so this is yet another unfortunate update on his season.
Kane missed the Rangers game Wednesday vs. Tampa Bay due to a lower-body injury and will remain out of the lineup Thursday. The 34-year-old has 21 goals, 34 assists, 221 SOG, 55 PIMs and a -22 plus/minus through 70 games played with New York and Chicago this season.
Halak stopped 31 of 34 shots (.912 SV%) to snap a two-game winning streak as he beat the Buffalo Sabres in his previous start. The 37-year-old Rangers' backup has been mediocre when called upon this season, with his 10-8-4 record, 2.69 GAA and .906 SV%. He will take on the St. Louis Blues, who have won three of their last five games and are third in the NHL in shooting percentage this season (11.3%).
Hutchinson allowed seven goals on 49 shots (.857 SV%) for his third-straight loss as he was defeated by the Florida Panthers in his previous start. The 33-year-old has been hung out to dry nightly since being traded to Columbus, with his 1-4-2 record, 4.37 GAA and .875 SV%. He takes on the New Jersey Devils, who have won three of their last four games and are sixth in the NHL in goals per game (3.45).
Brossoit stopped 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) for his second-straight win as he beat Minnesota in his previous start. The 30-year-old has been incredible when healthy in his short showing this season, with his 4-0-3 record, 2.50 GAA and .918 SV%. He takes on the Los Angeles Kings, who have lost three of their last five games but are 11th in the NHL in goals per game (3.35).
Lindblom has missed the Sharks' previous two games and will also miss Thursday vs. Colorado due to an upper-body injury. The 26-year-old has six goals, nine assists, 75 SOG, 18 PIMs and a -16 plus/minus through 73 games before the injury.
Vejmelka allowed four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%) for his fourth-straight loss as he was defeated by the Dallas Stars in his last game. The 26-year-old has been solid despite the team in front of him all season, with his 18-23-5 record, 3.38 GAA and .901 SV%. He takes on the Seattle Kraken, who have won two-straight and are fourth in the NHL in goals (3.53).
Laczynski has been a healthy scratch for the Flyers' previous three games but will draw back into the lineup Thursday vs. Dallas. The 25-year-old has two goals, two assists, 20 SOG, two PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 27 games played this season.
