Pulock is expected to return to the Islanders lineup on Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's game due to maintenance. The 31-year-old defenseman has 24 points (3G / 21A) in 59 games this season.
The Lightning will hand Vasilevskiy his 41st start of the season when they travel to Winnipeg on Thursday. Vasilevskiy was on a nine-game winning streak before losing to the Sabres on Saturday, and somewhat shockingly followed that up with a second consecutive defeat in Minnesota on Tuesday. Luckily for the Lightning and for fantasy owners alike, the former Vezina Trophy winner is in a great spot to get back in the win column on Thursday, as Tampa Bay enters action at -190 on the money line.
Poehling has impressed since being acquired by the Ducks in the Trevor Zegras trade in the off-season, tallying seven goals and 17 assists across 54 games. The contract carries a $3.75-million AAV, totaling $15-million over the four year deal.
Philipps will get an opportunity to play on Thursday as a result of the Jets sitting Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley, presumably for roster management purposes. Ville Heinola will also draw into the Jets lineup.
Heinola will get an opportunity to play on Thursday as a result of the Jets sitting Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley, presumably for roster management purposes. Isaak Phillips will also draw into the Jets lineup.
With this being the final game before the trade deadline and Schenn presumably being healthy, scratching him seems likely to be due to roster management reasons. Logan Stanley will also join Schenn in the press box on Thursday, while Isaak Phillips and Ville Heinola will draw into the lineup.
With this being the final game before the trade deadline and Stanley presumably being healthy, scratching him seems likely to be due to roster management reasons. Luke Schenn will also join Stanley in the press box on Thursday, while Isaak Phillips and Ville Heinola will draw into the lineup.
The Predators recalled Kemell to fill the empty roster spot left by Michael Bunting's trade to Dallas. Kemell is expected to draw into the Preds lineup for Thursday's game against the Bruins.
Nashville's franchise netminder will make his 47th start of the season when the Predators travel to Boston on Thursday. Saros suffered a third consecutive defeat in his last outing, allowing three goals on 30 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Red Wings on Monday. Saros carries a 21-18-6 record and an .892 SV% into Thursday night's matchup, where the Preds enter action at -110 on the money line.
Boqvist will slot in for A.J. Greer, who is being held out of Thursday's game. Boqvist has appeared in 52 games this season, tallying three goals and five assists.
Given it's the final game before the NHL's trade deadline, there is plenty of speculation that sitting Greer tonight may be due to roster management purposes, but the Panthers have not confirmed that to be the case. Greer has appeared in 61 games this season, tallying 11 goals and 11 assists.
Simashev will draw into the lineup in place of Mikhail Sergachev, who is out with a lower-body injury. Simashev has zero goals and one assist in 24 games this season.
The Maple Leafs will unsurprisingly turn to Woll between the pipes for the tail-end of their back-to-back on Thursday. Woll struggled in his last start, surrendering five goals on 28 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Senators on Saturday. Like the rest of the Maple Leafs, the 27-year-old netminder has endured an up-and-down season, but he has still managed to post a respectable .906 SV% across 27 starts. Woll and the Leafs enter action on Thursday at +115 on the money line.
Edstrom has not played a game for the Rangers since November 29th, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 25-year-old Swedish forward is averaging 9:34 time-on-ice and has four points (2G / 2A) in 24 games this season.
The Sabres have received stout netminding regardless of who tends the twine lately, and they will continue their goalie rotation on Thursday, turning to Luukkonen against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 26-year-old Finnish goalie was outstanding in his previous outing, saving 36 of 38 shots (.947 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has an excellent 1.51 GAA and .955 SV% in two games since returning from the Olympic break (2-0-0). The Sabres enter Thursday's contest as -109 road favourites against a Penguins team that defeated them 5-2 last month.
Fabbro is battling an undisclosed ailment and is unavailable for Thursday's game against the Florida Panthers. The 27-year-old Fabbro is averaging 15:59 time-on-ice, recording nine points (4G / 5A), 51 hits, and 88 blocks in 54 games this season.
Werenski will miss a third straight game on Thursday against the Florida Panthers due to an illness. The 28-year-old defenseman had two assists in his most recent game, giving him 13 points (2G / 11A) during a nine-game point streak. He has 65 points (20G / 45A) in 54 games this season.
Sergachev scored a goal in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals, but played a season-low 18:33 time-on-ice and will missThursday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 27-year-old Sergachev is having a terrific season with Utah, scoring 42 points (10G / 32A) in 61 games.
Vanecek has not played in over a month and will make his post-Olympic break return to the crease on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 30-year-old Czech goalie only has one win in his last 11 outings (1-8-2), posting a subpar 3.19 GAA and .876 SV%. He has allowed three or more goals in four of his last five games (1-3-1). The Mammoth enter Thursday's contest as -120 road favourites against a Flyers team on a three-game winning streak.
