NHL Hockey Player News

Mrazek was originally scheduled to start Thursday against the Panthers but is dealing with a lower-body injury so Alex Nedeljkovic will start for the second straight game.

This is a massive blow to the Coyotes, who are currently clinging to the final playoff spot in the West Division. Garland is currently tied for second on the team with 32 points (10G / 22A) in 45 games.

Mikheyev was scratched Tuesday in Vancouver but could return to the lineup on Thursday. Mikheyev skated on the third line in the morning skate and comes in with one goal and three assists in his last six games.

Thursday will be Kaut's 11th career NHL game and second of the 2021 season. Kaut will draw in because both Mikko Rantanen and Joonas Donskoi are on the COVID-19 protocol list. The 21-year-old has two goals and one assist in his first 10 NHL games and has 14 points (5G / 9A) in 13 AHL games this season.

Bogosian was knocked out of Tuesday's game in Vancouver and is expected to miss at least one week. With Bogosian out, Rasmus Sandin will remain in the lineup and Travis Dermott will draw back in.

Foote scored one goal with one assist in his first two NHL games but will be replaced by Pavel Zacha (knee) in the lineup on Thursday.

Studnič has played in four straight games but will come out of the lineup on Thursday with Jesper Bratt returning from an undisclosed injury. Studnič has scored one goal on six shots in his first five career NHL games.

Zacha has missed the last five games with a knee injury that he suffered on April 11th but will return to the lineup tonight in Pittsburgh. Zacha, who has three goals and three assists in his last five games, will return on a line with Nico Hischier.

Bratt has missed the last four games with an undisclosed issue but will play Thursday in Pittsburgh. Bratt has played well in the last month and a half, posting 19 points (4G / 15A) in his last 22 games.

Foligno was acquired from the Blue Jackets at the trade deadline and will suit up Thursday in Winnipeg. Foligno is not the same offensive presence he was in 2015 but could pack a bit of a punch on Thursday, as he debuts on the top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

Skjei suffered an upper-body injury midway through Tuesday's win in Tampa and is not expected to play tonight in Sunrise. Joakim Ryan is expected to make his Hurricanes debut to replace Skjei.

Ryan signed with the Hurricanes in the offseason and has not played very much hockey in 2021. He's only suited up in four AHL games this season but he's expected to replace Brady Skjei (upper-body) in the lineup on Thursday. Ryan has 24 points (4G / 20A) in 141 career NHL games with the Sharks and Kings.

Jones was a third-round pick of the Rangers in 2019 and signed his entry-level deal after his second year at UMass. The 20-year-old defenseman, who will replace Jacob Trouba and should see some PP2 time, had nine goals and 15 assists (24 points) in 29 games this season.

Heiskanen was scratched from the lineup on Tuesday but could play Thursday in Detroit. Heiskanen is officially listed as a game-time decision, so monitor his status as the Stars hit the ice for warmups at 7:00 PM ET.

Hintz sat out of the second half of the Stars' back-to-back on Tuesday but could play Thursday in Detroit. Hintz has sat out of most of the back-to-backs this season so there's a good chance he'll be back in the lineup tonight. Hintz is on an absolute heater right now, scoring 10 goals with 17 assists (27 points) in his last 19 games.