Cernak played only 6:39 time-on-ice on New Year's Eve, did not play the first game of 2024, and will not miss his second-straight game on Thursday. Before his injury, Cernak had 13 hits and six shots on goal in his last three games.
Karlsson is expected to skate on a line with Andrei Kuzmenko and Nils Aman in his first game since December 5th. Through three games this season, Karlsson has yet to record a point while averaging 10:26 time-on-ice.
Linus Karlsson is expected to re-enter the Canucks lineup on Thursday as Hoglander will be a healthy scratch for the first time in nearly two months. Hoglander has zero points in his last four games, firing only three shots on goal in the process.
Fasching will get the short end of the straw on Thursday, being healthy scratched to allow Matt Martin to draw back into the lineup for the Islanders. Fasching has played 15 straight games for the Islanders, finding ways to add sporadic offensive contribution through limited minutes (12:01 ATOI), scoring four points (1G / 3A).
Hudson Fasching will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Martin to play for only the third time since November 16th. In his last two games, Martin averaged over 10 minutes per night, recorded a five-minute fighting major, fired four shots on goal, and four hits.
Georgiev will likely start for the Avalanche in a matchup against their division rivals, the Dallas Stars. The Avalanche are +113 road underdogs against a Stars team they defeated 6-3 in mid-November when Georgiev allowed three goals on 28 shots (.893 SV%). The 27-year-old netminder allowed four goals on 22 shots (.818 SV%) in his last outing, a 5-4 overtime win over the New York Islanders, but, despite winning five of his last six (5-0-1), owns an unimpressive .899 SV% during that stretch.
With Semyon Varlamov sidelined, the Islanders will rely on Sorokin even more than before as he will start for the fifth time in the last six games. Sorokin entered Tuesday's contest in relief of an injured Varlamov, allowing four goals on 27 shots (.852 SV%) in an eventual 5-4 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Sorokin had a light night in his last meeting against the Arizona Coyotes, saving all 14 shots he faced for a shutout victory. On Thursday, the Islanders are slight -108 road favourites against the Coyotes, who are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers.
Nieto will miss approximately the next two months after undergoing successful laparoscopic surgery on his right knee. Nieto has been in and out of the lineup for the Penguins this season, scoring four points (1G / 3A) and averaging 11:37 time-on-ice through 22 games.
Benning has a five-month expected recovery ahead of him after undergoing successful hip surgery and, as a result, will miss the remainder of the season. Benning played 14 games for the Sharks this season, blocking 29 shots, scoring two points (0G / 2A), and averaging 18:29 time-on-ice.
Aman will return to the lineup after sitting out the last contest for the Canucks and will join a line with Andrei Kuzmenko and Linus Karlsson. Through 14 games this season, Aman has four points (2G / 2A), nine blocks, and is averaging 10:38 time-on-ice.
Saros will return to the crease on Thursday after recording his second shutout of the season in his previous outing. Saros saved all 21 shots he faced in a 3-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, snapping his three-game losing streak (0-2-1) that saw him allow 13 goals and post an uncharacteristically low .829 SV%. The Predators will search for their third straight victory as -114 home favourites against a Calgary Flames club that has won two straight.
After not missing a single game this season, Foligno will miss his second straight as he continues battling an ongoing injury. In 35 games, Foligno has 15 points (6G / 9A), playing predominantly with Pat Maroon and Frederick Gaudreau.
Fleury will start the third straight game with Filip Gustavsson sidelined for the foreseeable future with a lower-body injury. Fleury has played well over the last several weeks, allowing three or fewer goals in six of his last seven appearances (3-3-0), posting an impressive .922 SV%. Minnesota is a +107 home underdog on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have lost three of their last four games (1-3-0), outscored 15-9.
Louis Crevier will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Megna to make his Blackhawks debut after being claimed off of waivers from the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday. Megna has spent most of the season in the press box for the Kraken, being limited to only two games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, scoring one point (1G / 0A). He has 141 NHL games under his belt, tallying 25 points (4G / 21A) in time split between the Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, and Seattle.
Mrazek did not play in Chicago's 3-0 loss to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday after starting three straight games for the Blackhawks. Mrazek has put together a serviceable season for the bottom-dwelling Blackhawks but has allowed 11 goals on the last 66 shots he has faced (.833 SV%) in the last two games (0-1-1). The Blackhawks are huge +359 underdogs against the New York Rangers, who are coming off a disappointing 6-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Boqvist has missed the last 12 games due to a shoulder injury, last playing on December 5th. Boqvist had three points (0G / 3A), averaging 17:05 time-on-ice through 13 games this season and appears to have a return projected imminently.
Kylington will have the opportunity to see some game action with the Calgary Wranglers after not playing a single professional game since the 2021-22 season. That year, Kylington scored 31 points (9G / 22A) in 73 games with the Flames.
Olivier will re-enter the Blue Jacket's lineup on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers in favour of Brendan Gaunce, who will serve the game as a healthy scratch. Olivier last played on December 27th, registering two shots and two hits in 9:51 time-on-ice.
