The Islanders, winners of five straight amid a push for the Playoffs, will likely turn to Varlamov between the pipes for the third consecutive game. Varlamov has been terrific lately, winning five of his last six (5-1-0), allowing three or fewer goals in each, including saving 32 of 34 shots (.941 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the New York Rangers on Tuesday. The Islanders enter action as -204 home favourites.
The Stars have only one loss in their last 11 games (10-1-0) and will turn to Oettinger in the crease for the third straight game. Oettinger is riding an eight-game winning streak and has flipped the switch on his season after a porous start, recording two shutouts and a tremendous .939 SV% during that eight-game stretch. The Stars enter action as -151 home favourites on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets.
Okposo has been a healthy scratch for Florida's previous three games but will draw back into the Panthers' lineup amidst an abundance of team changes. The 35-year-old veteran was acquired at the trade deadline but has struggled with his new team, with no points in four games played but six SOG and two PIMs.
The Devils have lost three straight and will likely ride Allen for the second straight contest. Allen has lost four of his last five starts, including his most recent outing when he allowed four goals on 36 shots (.889 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Devils enter action on Thursday as +175 road underdogs in a rematch against the Maple Leafs.
The Penguins' four-game winning streak was snapped on Monday in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs they will continue their push for the playoffs with Nedeljkovic in the crease on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Nedeljkovic has earned himself the starting role in Pittsburgh over the last several weeks and has performed admirably, recording a .921 SV% while collecting a point in eight straight (6-0-2). The Penguins enter action as -153 home favourites on Thursday in a heated battle against the Detroit Red Wings.
Eller is battling an illness and his status is up in the air for Thursday's matchup against the Detroit Red Wings. Eller has 29 points (15G / 14A) in 78 games this season. The Penguins recalled Radim Zohorna on Wednesday as a precaution.
The Flyers are amid a disastrous eight-game losing skid and will turn to Ersson in the crease for a third-straight game. Ersson has allowed five or more goals in four of his last six games (0-6-0), including allowing five on 17 shots (.706 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 9-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. The Flyers are desperate for points but enter action on Thursday as +180 road underdogs against the New York Rangers.
Connor Dewar will be Gregor's replacement in the lineup on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. Gregor has 11 points (5G / 6A) through 61 games in primarily a fourth-line role with the Maple Leafs.
Noah Gregor will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Dewar to draw back into the lineup. The 24-year-old has failed to produce offence since joining the Maple Leafs before the trade deadline, with a goal, two points, 16 SOG, and eight PIMs.
Josh Mahura will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Ekman-Larsson to re-enter the lineup. Ekman-Larsson has 30 points (9G / 21A) in 78 games this season.
Jonah Gajovich and Ryan Lomberg will be healthy scratches for the Panthers on Thursday, allowing Lorentz and Kyle Okposo to draw back into the lineup. Lorentz has three points (1G / 2A) in 36 games this season.
Kyle Okposo and Steven Lorentz will both draw into the lineup for the Panthers on Thursday as Jonah Gadjovich and Lomberg will be healthy scratches. Lomberg has seven points (2G / 5A) in 75 games this season.
Kyle Okposo and Steven Lorentz will both draw into the lineup for the Panthers on Thursday as Gadjovich and Ryan Lomberg will be healthy scratches. Gadjovich has four points (2G / 2A) in 38 games this season.
Mahura played the last three games for the Panthers, recording one assist, but will be a healthy scratch on Thursday. Oliver Ekman-Larsson will draw into the lineup as his replacement on the blue line.
McCabe has three points (1G / 2A) in his last two games but will get the night off on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 30-year-old McCabe is averaging 20:44 time-on-ice and has 28 points (8G / 20A) in 71 games this season.
Connor Timmins will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Lyubushkin to re-enter the lineup. Lyubushkin was acquired at the trade deadline and has settled in nicely during his second tenure with the Maple Leafs, with four assists, eight SOG and a +3 plus/minus through 15 games played.
Sebastian Aho will draw back into the lineup on Thursday, making Bortuzzo a healthy scratch. The 35-year-old Bortuzzo has zero points in 24 games this season.
Robert Bortuzzo will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Aho to re-enter the lineup. Aho has nine points (2G / 7A) in 54 games this season.
The Panthers have outscored their opposition 10-3 in their last three games (2-0-1) and will turn to Bobrovsky in the crease on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Bobrovsky suffered an overtime loss in his last outing, losing 3-2 to the Boston Bruins while allowing three goals on 29 shots (.897 SV%). The Panthers enter action as enormous -413 home favourites.
Timmins has been a healthy scratch three of the last four and will return to the press box on Thursday, allowing Ilya Lyubushkin to draw back into the lineup. The 25-year-old has rarely been called upon this season despite his impressive nine points (1G/8A), +7 plus/minus and 24 SOG in 24 games played in 2023-24.
