With the Flames recently placing Anthony Mantha (lower body) on Injured Reserve, they have recalled Hunt from the Calgary Wranglers (AHL). The 28-year-old Hunt played 28 games with the Flames last season, scoring eight points (3G / 5A).
Grubauer has started six of 14 games for Seattle this season and if he is out of the lineup for any considerable amount of time, expect Joey Daccord to take exclusive reins of the crease. The 32-year-old Grubauer has a 3.27 GAA and .877 SV% in six games this season (1-5-0).
Mantha suffered the injury late in the first period of Tuesday's game against the Montreal Canadiens and was unable to return. Mantha has been placed on Injured Reserve retroactive to November 5th and will not be eligible to return until at least November 12th. The 30-year-old Mantha has seven points (4G / 3A) in 13 games this season.
On the tail end of a back-to-back, Minnesota will likely turn to Gustavsson between the pipes in a favorable matchup against the Anaheim Ducks and their league-worst offense, averaging only 2.1 goals per game. Gustavsson has faced some adversity lately, allowing three or more goals in three of his last four games (2-2-0), but has a solid 2.33 GAA and .917 SV% in nine games this season (6-2-1).
On the front end of a back-to-back, Minnesota will turn to the veteran Fleury between the pipes on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 39-year-old Fleury has been serviceable in limited action this season, posting a 2.93 GAA and .899 SV% in three outings (2-0-1). Minnesota only has two regulation losses this season (8-2-2), tied for the second-fewest in the NHL. They enter Thursday's contest as sizeable -252 road favorites against a Sharks club that ranks in the bottom five of the NHL offensively, averaging only 2.4 goals per game.
Janmark is battling an undisclosed injury that prevented him from participating at practice on Thursday. The 31-year-old Janmark has three points (1G / 2A) in 14 games this season. The Oilers return to action on Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks.
Matt Martin will suit up for his third game of the season on Thursday, replacing Fasching. The 29-year-old Fasching is averaging 6:50 time-on-ice and has zero points in five games this season.
Hudson Fasching will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Martin to re-enter the lineup after a three-game absence. Matt Martin has only played two games this season, averaging 9:34 time-on-ice, but has been his usual bruting self, racking up five hits.
The Canucks have outscored their opposition 8-3 in their last two games (2-0-0), both with Lankinen between the pipes, and will roll with him for a third straight contest on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 29-year-old Lankinen has been tremendous for the Canucks this season, allowing three or fewer goals in all but one contest, posting an elite 2.09 GAA and .923 SV% in eight games (6-0-2). The Canucks enter the action on Thursday as -117 road favorites against the Kings.
Merrill will take the sidelines as a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Declan Chisholm to draw back into the lineup. The 32-year-old Merrill has been in and out of the lineup lately. He has one point (0G / 1A) and is averaging 13:10 time-on-ice through 10 games this season.
Jon Merrill will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Chisholm to re-enter the lineup. The 24-year-old Chisholm has one point (0G / 1A) and is averaging 14:15 time-on-ice through eight games this season.
Carlsson has not played a game with the Sharks this season and will start his 2024-25 campaign with the San Jose Barracuda. The 27-year-old Carlsson scored 39 points (15G / 24A) in 52 games with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) last season.
Turcotte suffered an undisclosed injury during Monday's game in Nashville and will miss a second consecutive game on Thursday. Turcotte has one goal and four assists in 13 games this season.
Thompson will remain in the Sharks lineup on Tuesday as Jake Walman is unable to suit up due to an upper-body injury. The 22-year-old Thompson has been productive from the blueline for the Sharks, scoring four points (1G / 3A) in seven games this season.
Johansson was the sixth-round pick, 186th overall, of the Boston Bruins in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old defenseman has five points (1G / 4A) in 15 games with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL this season.
Walman was a surprise healthy scratch on Tuesday per a coaches decision but will miss a second consecutive game on Thursday due to an upper-body injury. The 28-year-old Walman has been productive from the blueline in his first season with the Sharks, scoring nine points (1G / 8A) in 13 games, highlighted by seven points (1G / 6A) in his last four contests.
The Kings have outscored their competition 8-1 during a two-game winning streak and will likely turn to Kuemper between the pipes on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. Kuemper is coming off his shutout in a Kings uniform and has been impressive in the crease this season. Taking out a disastrous 8-7 loss to the Ottawa Senators in the third game of the season when Kuemper was peppered for eight goals on 41 shots (.805 SV%), Kuemper has allowed three or fewer goals in each of his six other contests, posting an excellent .926 SV%. The Kings enter the action on Thursday as slight +105 home underdogs against the Vancouver Canucks, winners of two straight.
The Sharks have won three of their last four games, two with Vanecek between the pipes, and will turn to him for a second consecutive start for the first time this season. The 28-year-old Vanecek has been serviceable between the pipes for a Sharks club with a -17 goal differential, second-worst in the league, posting a 3.21 GAA and .902 SV% in seven outings (2-4-0). That said, the Sharks enter the action on Thursday as significant +225 home underdogs against a Minnesota Wild club with only two regulation losses (8-2-2).
Makar went down awkwardly in the 2nd period of Tuesday's win over Seattle and attempted to return for the 3rd period before leaving for the rest of the game with 15:07 TOI. The 26-year-old is an early leader for Norris Trophy votes with 23 points (5G/18A) in his first 13 games played.
Carcone has been limited to only three games this season after a career-high 21 goal 2023-24 season. He has zero points, a -2 plus/minus, and is averaging 11:19 time-on-ice through three games this season. He will draw in for Robert Bortuzzo on Thursday as Utah HC will revert back to the traditional 12-forward, six-defensemen formation.
