NHL Hockey Player News

Smith has five assists, 45 SOG, 55 PIMs and a -1 plus/minus through 49 games but is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury and will not play Thursday vs. Seattle.

Holtz last played for the Devils on January 7th and has three goals, one assist, 20 SOG and eight PIMs through 18 games on the season. The 21-year-old will draw back into the Devils' lineup as a replacement for Jack Hughes, who is considered week-to week with an injury.

Hughes was having a phenomenal season with 35 goals, 67 points, 229 SOG, and a +15 plus/minus through 50 games played but will miss weeks due to an upper-body injury. It is an unfortunate loss for the fourth year star as he has never played more than 61 games in a season in his career.

Kubalik has 14 goals, 20 assists, 118 SOG, 12 PIMs and a -9 plus/minus through 49 games with the Red Wings this season but will be a healthy scratch Thursday. Kubalik has found himself slipping down the Wings' lineup after starting his Detroit tenure incredibly hot with 25 points (10G/15A) through his first 25 games.

It will be Zadina's first NHL game since November 5th. He was recently recalled from his conditioning stint, where he scored one goal in two games with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Zadina failed to record a point in his first nine NHL games this season.

Kahkonen allowed three goals on 37 shots (.919 SV%) for his second-straight victory as he topped the Tampa Bay Lightning in his last start. The 26-year-old Sharks backup will be hoping his recent run of success can continue as he has a horrendous .874 SV%, 3.84 GAA and 7-9-4 record. He draws the Florida Panthers, who have won their last two games and are tops in the NHL in shots per game (35.9).

Blackwood allowed five goals on 40 shots (.875 SV%) for his fourth loss in five games as he was defeated by Nashville in his previous start. The Devils' backup net minder has been shaken when called up this season, with his 6-4-2 record, 3.21 GAA and .894 SV%. He takes on the Seattle Kraken, who are coming off a 4-0 shutout loss to the New York Islanders but are fifth in the NHL in goals per game (3.54).

Andersson was riding a scooter to dinner on Wednesday when he was struck by a car in Detroit. He was taken to a local hospital for a full battery of tests before being released last night. The Flames say that Andersson will remain with the team and is listed as day-to-day.

Vasilevskiy allowed seven goals on 49 shots (.857 SV%) as he was peppered in his previous start, ending a three-game winning streak as he lost 7-1 to Florida. It has been another successful season for the goaltender who has led the NHL in wins the last five seasons, with his 23-13-1 record, 2.63 GAA, and .916 SV%. He takes on the Colorado Avalanche, who lost their last game 2-1 vs. Pittsburgh in overtime but have won seven of their last nine games.

Hayden has 13 goals, 12 assists, 51 PIMs and a +6 plus/minus through 36 games with Coachella Valley (AHL) and has been recalled on Thursday for the second time this season. In Hayden's previous stint with Seattle this season, he had one goal, four SOG and a +1 plus/minus through three games and 8:02 TOI.

Schultz last played on January 17th due to an undisclosed injury and has been activated off the injured reserve Thursday. The 32-year-old will make a welcome return as he had five goals, 19 assists, 59 SOG, 28 PIMs and a +7 plus/minus through 42 games prior to his injury.

Burakovsky left Seattle's previous game vs. the Islanders after just one shift and 0:21 TOI due to a lower-body injury and has been placed on the injured-reserve Thursday. The 28-year-old left winger had 13 goals, 26 assists, 105 SOG, 14 PIMs and a -9 plus/minus in 49 games in his first season with the Kraken.

Sorokin was perfect, stopping all 32 of 32 shots for his second straight shutout as he defeated the high-scoring Seattle Kraken in his last start. The 27-year-old may have a near .500 record with his 17-16-4 record, but has a top-five SV% with his .926 SV% and impressive 2.31 GAA. He takes on the Vancouver Canucks, who have lost three of their last four under new coach Rick Tocchet after a 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers last game.

Barkov has 14 goals, 47 points, 128 SOG, and a +5 plus/minus through 43 games played but will miss Thursday's matchup vs. San Jose due to a hand injury. Barkov is considered day-to-day for the time being as this is not the first time we have seen him miss time this season.

Bobrovsky was fantastic in his previous start, stopping 32 of 33 shots (.970) for his first win in three starts as he beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-1. It has been an down year for the 34-year-old one-time Vezina Trophy winner, with his 13-13-2 record, 3.17 GAA and .900 SV%. He takes on the San Jose Sharks, who have won their last two games but are 19th in the NHL in goals per game (3.08).

Hart allowed two goals on 30 shots (.933 SV%) for his third loss in four games as he was defeated by the New York Islanders in his last start. Hart has been impressive in this years bounce-back season, with his 15-15-8 record, .911 SV% and 2.86 GAA. He takes on the Edmonton Oilers, who have won eight of their last nine games after a 5-2 victory over Detroit last game.

Husso allowed four goals on 26 shots (.846 SV%) to snap a two-game losing streak as he was defeated by Edmonton in his previous start. The 28-year-old has enjoyed an up-and-down first season in Detroit, with his 17-12-5 record, but mediocre 3.03 GAA and .900 SV%. He will take on the Calgary Flames, who lost their last game 5-4 to the New York Rangers in overtime but are 2nd in the NHL in shots per game (35.4).

Aho has four goals, nine assists, 70 SOG, 12 PIMs and a +4 plus/minus through 50 games this season but will be a healthy scratch Thursday as the Islanders take on Vancouver. The return of Alexander Romanov (personal) means Aho will head to the press box Thursday.

Romanov missed the Islanders' previous game due to personal reasons but will draw back into the lineup Thursday as they take on Vancouver. The 23-year-old hard hitting defensemen has a goal, 14 assists, 73 SOG, 31 PIMs and a +5 plus/minus through 53 games so far this season.

Sorokin was perfect, stopping all 32 of 32 shots for his second straight shutout as he defeated the high-scoring Seattle Kraken in his last start. The 27-year-old may have a near .500 record with his 17-16-4 record, but has a top-five SV% with his .926 SV% and impressive 2.31 GAA. He takes on the Vancouver Canucks, who have lost three of their last four under new coach Rick Tocchet after a 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers last game.