With Filip Bystedt set to make his NHL debut, Ostapchuk will be the odd man out as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Ostapchuk is averaging 10:34 time-on-ice and has one goal in 13 games this season.
Wright has spent most of the season with Ontario (AHL), but has been back and forth lately due to team injuries. The 23-year-old Wright recorded seven shots and one assist in four games with the Kings this season.
Chromiak was a fifth-round pick of the Kings in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft who has yet to make his NHL debut. The 24-year-old Slovak forward has been productive in the AHL, where he has eight points (6G / 2A) in nine games with Ontario (AHL) this season.
Bystedt was the 27th overall pick of the Sharks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, but he has yet to make his NHL debut. The 22-year-old Swedish forward excelled in the AHL last season, scoring 60 points (22G / 38A) in 65 games with the San Jose Barracuda. He has picked up where he left off to start 2026-27, with eight points (4G / 4A) in eight games with the Barracuda.
Askarov started the season with a dreadful 4.00 GAA and .848 SV% in his first five games (2-3-0), but has turned things around in recent outings. Despite a 1-2-0 record, Askarov has been stellar in his last three games, allowing two or fewer goals in each and saving 109 of 114 combined shots (.956 SV%). The Sharks enter Thursday's game as -165 home favourites against a Vancouver Canucks team coming off an impressive come-from-behind 6-5 overtime win over the Anaheim Ducks.
Toronto lost another top-six forward on Monday after Kirill Marchenko left their game vs. Calgary with a lower-body injury. Marchenko's first 14 games in Toronto have gone very well, with the 26-year-old winger averaging a point per game with six goals and eight assists. Gavin McKenna has been moved up to Toronto's top line in Marchenko's absence.
Fiala has yet to play this season, recovering from an injury from the Winter Olympics in February, but he returned to practice in a non-contact jersey on Thursday. He is still considered week-to-week but this is a massive step in his recovery, and his on-ice presence is an encouraging sign. The 30-year-old forward tallied 18 goals, 40 points, and 147 SOG in 56 games last season.
Sorokin has been reliable most nights this season, but is coming off a poor outing in his most recent game, allowing a season-high six goals on 38 shots (.842 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. That said, the 31-year-old Russian goalie still boasts a solid 2.26 GAA and .919 SV% through eight games this season (5-3-0). The Islanders enter Thursday's outing as +167 road underdogs against the Central Division-leading Minnesota Wild, who are on a three-game winning streak.
Sorokin has been reliable most nights this season, but is coming off a poor outing in his most recent game, allowing a season-high six goals on 38 shots (.842 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. That said, the 31-year-old Russian goalie still boasts a solid 2.26 GAA and .919 SV% through eight games this season (5-3-0). The Islanders enter Thursday's outing as +167 road underdogs against the Central Division-leading Minnesota Wild, who are on a three-game winning streak.
Frederic Brunet will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Clifton to re-enter the lineup. The 31-year-old Clifton is averaging 20:38 time-on-ice, recording one assist and 13 hits in six games this season.
Connor Clifton will re-enter Boston's lineup on Thursday, sending Brunet to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Brunet is averaging 16:24 time-on-ice and has four points (1G / 3A) in 10 games this season.
The Bruins lead the Atlantic Division with a 9-3-1 record, largely thanks to Jeremy Swayman's stellar play. The 27-year-old Swayman is coming off a solid outing, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%), but did not receive enough offensive support, losing 2-1 to the Carolina Hurricanes. Swayman has a 2.19 GAA and .921 SV% in 10 games this season (7-2-1). The Bruins enter Thursday's contest as slight -103 road underdogs against a St. Louis Blues team that has been shut out in consecutive games (0-2-0).
Capobianco fell awkwardly in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils, needing assistance to leave the ice. The 29-year-old defenseman was recently thrust in the Stars' lineup to fill in for an injured Esa Lindell, averaging 10:56 time-on-ice through five games. The Stars have recalled Trey Taylor from Texas (AHL) and he will make his NHL debut as Capobianco's replacement.
Duda has been rewarded for his top-pairing minutes in Tucson (AHL) after Utah announced the recall of 22-year-old Artyom Duda last week. The Russian defenseman earned the call-up after putting up a goal and three points in six games to start the season with the Roadrunners. He will make his NHL debut on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Gaucher is an undrafted 25-year-old forward that has spent most of his professional career in the AHL. In four games with the Flyers this season, he scored zero points and averaged 9:07 time-on-ice.
Steel has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury on October 22nd, but he will return on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 28-year-old forward is averaging 15:55 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2) in 10 games this season.
With Esa Lindel (lower body) and Kyle Capobianco (lower body) also sidelined, the Stars will insert Taylor onto their blueline for his NHL debut. Taylor, an undrafted 24-year-old defenseman, played his first full professional season in 2025-26, tallying 26 points (8G / 18A) in 70 games with the Texas Stars (AHL).
Vlasic is battling an illness and his status is uncertain for Thursday's game against the Detroit Red Wings. Already without Bowne Byram (upper body), the Blackhawks can ill-afford to also be without Vlasic on their blueline. The 25-year-old Vlasic is averaging 20:26 time-on-ice and has two assists in 12 games.
Sorokin has been reliable most nights this season, but is coming off a poor outing in his most recent game, allowing a season-high six goals on 38 shots (.842 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. That said, the 31-year-old Russian goalie still boasts a solid 2.26 GAA and .919 SV% through eight games this season (5-3-0). The Islanders enter Thursday's outing as +167 road underdogs against the Central Division-leading Minnesota Wild, who are on a three-game winning streak.
Since the season opener, the Blues have made it clear that Hofer is their go-to guy between the pipes. The 26-year-old Hofer is coming off a forgettable outing, allowing four goals on 39 shots (.897 SV%) in a 4-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. That said, Hofer has been reliable on most nights, posting a 2.40 GAA and .917 SV% in eight games (4-3-1). The Blues enter Thursday's contest as slight -112 home favourites against a Boston Bruins team coming off a 2-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, snapping an eight-game point streak (7-0-1).
