Nyquist has not played since October 30th, but should draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 36-year-old has yet to find his rhythm in his first season with the Jets, scoring only five points (0G / 5A) in 11 games. That said, he was riding a two-game point streak, with two points (0G / 2A), in two games before his injury.
The 10-6-0 Jets will turn to Hellebuyck on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. The 32-year-old Hellebuyck was solid in his most recent outing, saving 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks, and has been at his usual Vezina-caliber self throughout the season. He has a solid 2.35 GAA and .920 SV% in 12 games this season (7-5-0). The Jets enter Thursday's contest as -141 road favorites against a Kraken team that has scored fewer than two goals in three of their last four games (1-2-1).
Schmid has been solid when called upon, filling in for an injured Adin Hill, and will return to the crease on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 25-year-old Schmid has only lost once in regulation through eight games (6-1-1), boasting a serviceable 2.51 GAA and .901 SV%. That said, the Golden Knights have lost six of their last eight (2-4-2) and hope to turn things around on Thursday, entering as -177 home favorites against an Islanders team riding a two-game winning streak.
O'Connor has been effective in a middle-six role this season, but could miss his first game of the season, as he was absent from practice due to an illness. The 27-year-old forward has eight points (4G / 4A) in 18 games this season.
Hughes has already missed four games this season due to an injury and is day-to-day again. The talented 26-year-old defenseman has be great when in the lineup, scoring 13 points (1G / 12A) in 14, but has had trouble staying healthy recently, missing 14 games last season as well.
Kirkland has not played since November 1st will report to the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) after clearing waivers. The 29-year-old Kirkland scored eight points (2G / 6A) in a career-high 21 games last season. He has one assist through nine games in 2025-26.
The Rangers added some organizational goalie depth on Wednesday, signing Martin to a two-year contract. The 30-year-old goalie has primarily played in the AHL, but has a 3.56 GAA and .883 SV% in 66 career NHL games, mostly with the Vancouver Canucks and Carolina Hurricanes. He is will report to the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) after clearing waivers.
The Kings are 6-2-2 in their last 10, riding a two-game winning streak, and will turn to Kuemper between the pipes on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 35-year-old Kuemper has been outstanding lately, saving 75 of 78 combined shots (.962 SV%) in his last three games (3-0-0). He has a 2.40 GAA and .908 SV% in 12 games this season (6-3-3). The Kings enter Thursday's contest as -135 road favorites against a Maple Leafs team that will be without Auston Matthews (upper body).
The Sharks are riding a four-game winning streak and can largely thank Askarov for his outstanding play between the pipes. The 23-year-old netminder has a subpar 3.29 GA and .896 SV% in 10 games this season (5-4-1), but has been nearly unbeatable lately, allowing two or fewer goals in four straight (4-0-0) while posting a sublime .963 SV%. The Sharks enter the action on Thursday as +137 road underdogs against the Calgary Flames and their league-worst offense (2.1 GF / GP).
Even with an injury to starting netminder Joey Daccord, Seattle has failed to put their trust in Grubauer, leaning more on Matt Murray, but they will likely turn to Grubauer on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets. Once considered a top-10 goalie, finishing as high as third in the Vezina voting in his final season with the Colorado Avalanche in 2020-21, Grubauer has been far from reliable since joining the Kraken. In 159 games with Seattle, he has a subpar 3.06 GAA and .890 SV% in 159 games (58-78-13). In three games this season (2-1-0), he has a 2.49 GAA and .875 SV%. Seattle enters the action on Thursday as +125 home underdogs against a Winnipeg team that has scored one goal or fewer in three of its last four games (1-3-0).
Nichushkin exited Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks due to a lower-body injury after only 12:57 time-on-ice. The 30-year-old Nichushkin has 12 points (5G / 7A) in 17 games this season, and has been more productive lately, with nine points (3G / 6A) in his last 10 games. Nichushkin has played fewer than 55 games in each of the previous four seasons due to injuries and could be headed down that same path in 2025-26, as he is out week-to-week.
Wedgewood has been exceptional with Colorado this season, thrust into a starting role because of an injured Mackenzie Blackwood, and has likely earned himself a larger share of starts for the remainder of the season. The 33-year-old Wedgewood has a 2.26 GAA and .913 SV% in 14 appearances this season (10-1-2). He had a career-high 16 wins in the 2023-24 season as a member of the Dallas Stars.
Boqvist has been used sparingly this season, but will re-enter the lineup on Thursday, as Scott Mayfield is away from the team, tending to personal matters. The 25-year-old Boqvist has zero points in four games this season.
Mayfield is averaging 18:48 time-on-ice, recording 31 penalty minutes, 24 blocks, 11 hits, and three assists in 16 games this season. Adam Boqvist will likely draw int the lineup as Mayfield's replacement on the blueline.
The absence of Scott Mayfield (personal) has prompted the recall of Mitchell from the Bridgeport Islanders (AHL). The 25-year-old Mitchell has three points (0G / 3A) in 12 games with Bridgeport this season. He has never played an NHL game.
Girard has not played since suffering an upper-body injury in Colorado's second game of the season, but will make his return to the lineup on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 27-year-old Girard has seen a decreased role in recent seasons, but still tallied 24 points (3G / 21A) in 73 games last season.
After refusing to play with the Marlies in the AHL, Toronto has terminated Kampf's contract in hopes he can resume his career with a new team at the NHL level. The 30-year-old Czech forward has been an effective bottom-six player over the course of his career, with 143 points (48G / 95A) in 536 career games.
Killorn took a puck to the face at morning skate on Thursday, but is expected to play in the evening against the Detroit Red Wings. The 36-year-old Killorn is averaging 16:32 time-on-ice and has five points (1G / 4A) in 16 games this season.
Granlund had a slow start to his Ducks' career, with only three points in his first six games before having a massive five-point game (2G / 3A) in game seven. However, any momentum he had was halted, as he was injured in his following game and has been sidelined for eight consecutive games since. He hopes to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings.
After being a journeyman for the first decade of his professional career, Hanley become an NHL regular last season with the Flames. He has played all 18 games this season, but will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. He has three assists and 25 block in 18 games this season.
