NHL Hockey Player News

The Panthers have turned to Spencer Knight in two of the last three games but will return to Bobrovsky between the crease on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. Bobrovsky hasn't risen to full potential yet this season but has managed a 2-1-0 record with a 3.02 GAA and .894 SV%. The Panthers, still without Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, enter Thursday's contest as slight -109 home favorites against the Canucks.

Nedeljkovic has been sidelined since late in the preseason when he suffered a lower-body injury. With Pittsburgh struggling to receive consistent netminding from Tristan Jarry early in the season, Nedeljkovic could have an opportunity to garner a heavy workload when he returns to the team. The 28-year-old surprisingly took over Pittsburgh's crease for the Penguins' end-of-season playoff run in 2023-24 due to his 18-7-7 record, 2.97 GAA, and .902 SV% during his first season in Pennsylvania.

Bortuzzo had to leave his Utah debut in the third period due to an undisclosed injury and was without an update on his status post-game. The 35-year-old defenseman signed a one-year, two-way contract with Utah in the offseason after 13 seasons between Pittsburgh, St. Louis and the Islanders.

Erik Brannstrom has been recalled from Abbottsford (AHL) and will draw into the Canucks' lineup as Forbort's replacement. In three games this season, the 32-year-old Forbort has one point (0G / 1A), five blocks, and one hit.

With Elvis Merzlikins being given some time to rest and regroup, the Blue Jackets will turn to Trasov between the pipes on Thursday for his second start of the young season. Tarasov was unspectacular in his first start, allowing four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%), but salvaged a 6-4 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. The Blue Jackets enter action on Thursday as +112 home underdogs against a Buffalo Sabres club that was defeated 6-5 in overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins last night.

With Derek Forbort (personal) being away from the team, Vancouver has recalled Brannstrom from the Abbortsford Canucks (AHL). The 25-year-old Brannstrom was signed to a one-year contract in the offseason before being traded to the Canucks earlier this month. Brannstrom spent last season with the Ottawa Senators, tallying 20 points (3G / 17A) in 76 games.

Colorado’s list of key injuries continues to grow after Miles Wood left Wednesday’s loss vs. Boston with an undisclosed injury after just 12:46 TOI. Coach Jared Bednar did not have any updates in Colorado’s post-game press conference and confirm Wood was still being evaluated.

O'Brien will take a seat on Wednesday after drawing into the lineup for Monday's game in New Jersey. Michael Carcone will re-enter the lineup in his place.

Carcone will re-enter the lineup after sitting out Monday's game in New Jersey. Liam O'Brien will sit in his place.

Ludvig will draw back out of the lineup after making his Avalanche debut against the Islanders on Monday. Calvin de Haan will re-enter the lineup in his place.

de Haan will re-enter the lineup after being a healthy scratch for Monday's game against the Islanders. John Ludvig will sit in his place.

Korpisalo will get the surprise start in Colorado on Wednesday, making his first appearance since Boston's season opener on October 8th. Korpisalo struggled in his Bruins debut, allowing six goals on 35 shots as Boston suffered a 6-4 defeat at the hands of the Panthers. He'll have his hands full again on Wednesday as Boston enters action as +115 underdogs in Denver.

For the fourth straight game to start the season, the winless Avalanche (0-3-0) will turn to Georgiev between the pipes again. Georgiev has struggled immensely early in the 2024-25 campaign, including being pulled twice, posting an abysmal 6.58 GAA and .787 SV% in three outings (0-2-0). The 28-year-old Georgiev had a forgetful 2023-24 season as well, showcasing a 3.02 GAA and .897 SV% in 63 games (38-18-5). If Georgiev can't turn his game around soon, it likely won't be long before Jared Bednar and the Avalanche coaching staff give Justus Annunen a chance to overtake the starting position in goal. Colorado enters action on Wednesday as a -124 home favorite against the Boston Bruins.

Nylander was absent from practice on Tuesday due to an illness but appears to be good to go for Wednesday's game. Nylander has two points (2G / 0A) in three games this season.

Pacioretty was a surprise scratch on Wednesday, and he could be a victim of the illness that has been travelling around the Leafs' dressing room. Pacioretty has one goal and four shots on goal in his first three games with Toronto.

Eklund played 21:45 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars but was unavailable for practice on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury. The talented 22-year-old has one point (0G / 1A) in three games and is averaging a massive 22:27 time-on-ice. He is expected to be a game-time decision on Thursday.