Pitlick has 111 points (58G / 53A) in 452 career NHL games, but has played almost exclusively in the AHL over the past few seasons. The 34-year-old forward has three points (1G / 2A) through three games this season with the Iowa Wild (AHL).
The Minnesota Wild drafted Lorenz 56th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, but he has yet to make his NHL debut. The 22-year-old scored 35 points (17G / 18A) in 43 games last year, his fourth and final season playing collegiate hockey for the University of Denver.
Shesterkin was named the NHL's opening-week first star after posting a stellar 1.67 GAA and .934 SV% in three games (2-1-0), capping it by scoring his first career goal into an empty net. The 30-year-old Russian goalie has continued his winning ways since, saving 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%) in the Rangers' previous outing, a 5-2 win over the New York Islanders. The Rangers, riding a league-best four-game winning streak, enter Friday's contest as +129 road underdogs against a 2-1-0 Washington Capitals team.
With Connor Hellebuyck (suspended) away from the team after his highly publicized trade request, the Jets' goaltending faced serious concern. That said, newcomers Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson have held down the fort, allowing only 10 combined goals through four games (3-0-1). Stevenson was excellent in his debut last week, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 27-year-old goalie has only played six career NHL games, but hopes to have a bigger role in 2026-27. The Jets enter Thursday's contest as -112 home favourites against the Anaheim Ducks, who are coming off a 5-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
Compher did not play the previous game for the Red Wings due to an undisclosed injury, and has been retroactively placed on Injured Reserve. The 31-year-old Compher has spent most of his career as a bottom-six forward, but has been thrust into a more offensive role for the Red Wings. He scored 28 points (11G / 17A) in 82 games last season.
The Blue Jackets have relied solely on Jet Greaves through two games this season (1-1-0), but with a back-to-back looming, the team will turn to Talbot for his first start on Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 39-year-old Talbot has been reliable in recent years, but is coming off a forgetful season, posting an ugly 3.19 GAA and .883 SV% in 34 appearances (12-9-6) with the Detroit Red Wings. The Blue Jackets enter Friday's contest as -118 home favourites against a Penguins team on a two-game losing streak (0-2-0).
Horvat had two goals in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, but left the game late with an undisclosed injury. The Islanders, already without Mathew Barzal (knee), can ill-afford to lose Horvat's production for any period. The 31-year-old Horvat has five points (4G / 1A) in four games this season.
James spent all of training camp and the first week of the season recovering from a broken hand. He will now start his 2026-27 season with the Syracuse Crunch (AHL). The 24-year-old forward made his NHL debut last season, tallying 15 points (7G / 8A) in 43 games with Tampa Bay.
The Blue Jackets have relied solely on Jet Greaves through two games this season (1-1-0), but with a back-to-back looming, the team will turn to Talbot for his first start on Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 39-year-old Talbot has been reliable in recent years, but is coming off a forgetful season, posting an ugly 3.19 GAA and .883 SV% in 34 appearances (12-9-6) with the Detroit Red Wings. The Blue Jackets enter Friday's contest as -118 home favourites against a Penguins team on a two-game losing streak (0-2-0).
Thompson has quietly become one of the NHL's most consistent and reliable goalies over the past several seasons, coming off consecutive 31-win campaigns. The 29-year-old goalie hopes to continue his upward trajectory after an encouraging start to the 2026-27 season, saving 58 of 63 shots (.921 SV%) through his first two games (2-0-0). The Capitals enter Friday's contest as -141 home favourites against a New York Rangers team that has outscored its opposition 16-5 during a four-game winning streak.
Ekman-Larson exited Thursday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in the third period and did not return. Following the game, Head Coach Jim Hiller suggested he isn't concerned about injury. The 35-year-old Ekman-Larsson is averaging 16:43 time-on-ice and has zero point through five games this season.
Bourque played only 8:15 of ice time in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens before leaving the game with an upper-body injury. The 24-year-old Bourque has played a meaningful middle-six role for the Predators this season and has one assist in four games.
Bobrovsky's early-season introduction to the Maple Leafs hasn't been overly encouraging. Still, he will likely return to the crease on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights in search of his first victory. The 38-year-old Bobrovsky has allowed six goals on 53 shots (.887 SV%) through two games this season (0-2-0). The Maple Leafs enter Thursday as +151 road underdogs against a Golden Knights team coming off a 6-2 win over the Seattle Kraken.
Surprisingly, Colorado hasn't turned to Scott Wedgewood this season and has rolled with Blackwood between the pipes for the first three games. Wedgewood's tremendous 2025-26 season, posting a 2.02 GAA and .921 SV% in 45 appearances (31-6-6), should at least earn him close to a timeshare by season's end, even if the team is showing early-season favour for Blackwood. Colorado enters Thursday's contest as significant -235 road favourites against a struggling Calgary team that has been outscored 16-3 through three games (0-3-0).
