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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Adin Hill is confirmed to start in goal for the Vegas Golden Knights at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins this Thursday. Hill enters the matchup looking to rebound from a recent 0-2-0 stretch where he stopped 29 of 34 shots. On the 2025-26 season, he holds a 6-6-3 record with a 3.32 GAA and an .859 save percentage across 17 appearances. He faces a Penguins squad currently dealing with the absences of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
The St. Louis Blues have signed defenseman Calle Rosen to a two-year, two-way contract extension. The deal pays $850,000/$500,000 in 2026-27 and $900,000/$500,000 in 2027-28. The 32-year-old has been a leader for the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds, recording 26 points in 47 games this season. Rosen has 93 games of NHL experience, 73 of which came with the Blues, and brings valuable Calder Cup-winning experience to the organization through 2028.
Brandon Bussi is slated to start in goal for the Carolina Hurricanes at home against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. Bussi has enjoyed a strong 2025-26 campaign, boasting a 25-4-1 record, 2.38 GAA, and .898 save percentage over 30 games. Despite his overall success, he has faced recent challenges, allowing 13 goals on 75 shots for an .827 save percentage across his last three appearances. He looks to get back on track against a Blues team coming off an overtime loss.
Nikita Tolopilo is expected to draw the home start against the Predators on Thursday. The goaltender did not appear in either of the Canucks' last two games but is returning to the crease following his usage during the team's optional morning skate. Across his last five outings, Tolopilo has posted a 1-2-2 record with a 3.29 GAA and an .892 save percentage.
Robert Thomas is slated to play in Thursday's game against the Hurricanes despite suffering a minor upper-body injury during Tuesday's matchup against the Islanders. Thomas participated in Thursday's morning skate on the first line. He has been in dominant form throughout March, recording four goals, five assists, eight blocked shots, and a plus-10 rating across five appearances while averaging 17:50 of ice time.
Tristan Jarry will start in net for the Oilers against the Stars on Thursday. Jarry recently snapped a four-game winless streak after stopping 11 of 12 shots in relief of the injured Connor Ingram on Tuesday. His record now stands at 16-8-2 across 28 games split between Pittsburgh and Edmonton. He faces a tough test against a Dallas offense that ranks seventh in the league with 3.41 goals per game.
Igor Shesterkin will start in goal for the Rangers' road game against the Jets on Thursday. Shesterkin enters the contest on a two-game winning streak, having allowed only four goals on 66 shots in recent victories over Toronto and Philadelphia. On the season, the 30-year-old netminder holds a 20-12-6 record with a 2.49 GAA and a .913 save percentage across 39 appearances.
Forward Michael Pezzetta has been recalled from the AHL's Toronto Marlies and is set to make his debut for his hometown Maple Leafs on the fourth line. Pezzetta, who signed a two-year, $1.575 million deal, has recorded four goals and six assists in 37 AHL games this season. After a long journey through the minors and 200 NHL games with Montreal, he looks to provide energy for a Toronto squad currently searching for a spark during a difficult stretch of the season.
Sorokin will patrol the home paint in Friday's clash with the Kings. The Islanders are playing a back-to-back set, with Sorokin taking the first start. He has been strong since the Olympic break, posting a 4-1-0 record with a 3.00 GAA and an .896 save percentage over his last five games. Overall, Sorokin is 24-14-2 with a 2.51 GAA and a .913 save percentage in 40 games this season, looking for his fifth win in six outings against a Kings team averaging 2.58 goals per game.
Rittich will guard the home crease for the Islanders in Saturday's matchup against Calgary. The goaltender holds a 13-9-3 record with a 2.69 GAA and an .896 save percentage over 25 games this season. He will face a Flames squad that currently ranks last in the NHL in scoring, averaging 2.44 goals per game.
Gibson will tend the visiting twine in Tampa Bay on Thursday. In his first season with the Red Wings, Gibson has enjoyed a resurgence, posting a 24-14-2 record with four shutouts, a 2.56 GAA, and a .906 save percentage over 42 games. He faces a Lightning team that has struggled recently, dropping six of their last seven games and falling to second place in the Atlantic Division.
Oettinger is expected to draw the home start against the Oilers after being the first goalie off the ice at Thursday's morning skate. He is coming off a 26-save victory against the Golden Knights on Tuesday and has been excellent since the Olympic break, going 3-0-1 with a 1.95 GAA and a .918 save percentage in his last four starts. Overall, Oettinger is 26-10-5 with a 2.65 GAA and an .899 save percentage in 41 games this season.
The NHL has officially ruled that the Ottawa Senators will not be required to forfeit their 2026 first-round draft pick. The decision stems from the league's review of the cancelled 2022 trade between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Anaheim Ducks, which involved winger Evgenii Dadonov. The ruling provides clarity for the Senators' future draft assets following the long-standing investigation into the transaction.
Elvis Merzlikins will make his second consecutive start in Thursday's road matchup against the Florida Panthers. The netminder is coming off a 16-save performance in a 5-2 victory over Tampa Bay on Tuesday. On the season, Merzlikins holds a 13-9-2 record with a 3.47 GAA and an .884 save percentage across 26 appearances. He will look to contain a Panthers offense that enters the game averaging 2.98 goals per contest.
Connor Hellebuyck will make his seventh consecutive start in Thursday's home game against the New York Rangers. The 32-year-old has been a standout since the Olympic break, posting a 3-1-2 record with a 2.46 GAA and a .915 save percentage over his last six outings. Hellebuyck faces a Rangers offense that ranks 26th in the league with 2.75 goals per game, though they enter the contest with momentum following a hat trick from Alexis Lafreniere on Tuesday.
Jacob Markstrom is set to make his seventh consecutive start for the New Jersey Devils in Thursday's home game against the Calgary Flames. Markstrom has been a workhorse since the Olympic break, maintaining a 4-2-0 record with a 2.32 GAA and a .912 save percentage during that six-game stretch. He aims to continue his strong form against a Flames squad that was shut out in their most recent contest.
Uvis Balinskis will be out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets after reaggravating a lingering injury. In his place, the Florida Panthers have recalled defenseman Mike Benning from the AHL's Charlotte Checkers. Benning is set to make his NHL debut, skating alongside Niko Mikkola. Balinskis had been dealing with the injury for several weeks prior to being officially ruled out for tonight's contest.
Anton Lundell will miss Thursday's home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets due to an undisclosed injury. This marks his first absence since the Olympic break. Lundell has contributed 17 goals and 43 points across 61 games this season. In his absence, Cole Reinhardt is expected to dress and fill a center role. Lundell's status will be monitored ahead of Sunday's road matchup against the Seattle Kraken.
Carter Verhaeghe will miss Thursday's home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets due to an undisclosed injury. The forward, who recorded two goals against Detroit on Tuesday, reportedly felt tightness following that performance. Verhaeghe has been productive this season with 19 goals and 46 points in 63 games. He is currently considered day-to-day, with his next opportunity to return coming Sunday against the Seattle Kraken.
Sam Reinhart will return to the Florida Panthers' lineup for Thursday's home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets after missing Tuesday's contest due to an undisclosed injury. Reinhart has been a key contributor this season, tallying 28 goals and 31 assists across 63 games. He is slated to skate on the right wing alongside Eetu Luostarinen and Evan Rodrigues as the Panthers look to secure their third consecutive victory.
