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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Spencer Knight will patrol the home crease for the Chicago Blackhawks versus Calgary on Thursday. Knight has been strong between the pipes this season, posting a 13-12-6 record with two shutouts, a 2.63 GAA, and a .910 save percentage. He will face the low-scoring Flames, who rank 31st in the NHL, averaging just 2.54 goals per game.
Rasmus Dahlin scored two power-play goals in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Flyers, doubling his season's power-play tally. The star blueliner potted Buffalo's first and fourth goals of the night from the high slot. Through 41 games this season, Dahlin has accumulated six goals and 32 points, along with 110 shots on net, 54 blocked shots, 39 PIM, 32 hits, and a minus-13 rating.
Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) is doubtful for Thursday's game against the Jets, marking his third consecutive missed game. Despite the absence, he is reportedly getting closer to returning and will travel with the team for their Saturday game in Buffalo. Through 45 appearances this season, Eriksson Ek has recorded 11 goals and 32 points.
Jesper Wallstedt was the first goalie off during Thursday's morning skate, indicating he will draw the home start against the Jets. This marks his second consecutive start, a first since early November, as he and Filip Gustavsson have typically alternated. Wallstedt has a 1-1-2 record with a 3.35 GAA and .886 save percentage in his last four starts, but holds a strong 2-0-0 record with a 1.53 GAA and .948 save percentage in two road starts against Winnipeg this season.
Will Smith (upper body) will miss Thursday's game in Washington, marking his 13th consecutive absence since his Dec. 13th injury. The Sharks forward, who has recorded 12 goals and 29 points in 33 games this season, remains a possibility to return to action Friday in Detroit, according to head coach Ryan Warsofsky. He could potentially play alongside Macklin Celebrini upon his return.
Jeremy Swayman will guard the home crease for the Bruins against Seattle on Thursday. He enters the game following a perfect performance in his last start, where he stopped all 24 shots in a 3-0 victory over the Red Wings. This season, Swayman holds an 18-11-2 record with a 2.79 GAA and a .904 save percentage across 32 appearances. The Kraken rank 25th in NHL scoring, averaging 2.76 goals per game.
Nico Hischier delivered a stellar performance in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over the Kraken, scoring two goals, including a power-play marker and the overtime winner. Jack Hughes set up the Devils' captain for a breakaway in the extra frame, allowing Hischier to slide a backhand past Philipp Grubauer. This marks Hischier's second multi-goal game of the season, bringing his total to five goals and 11 points over his last 13 games, with three goals and two assists coming on the power play.
Stuart Skinner will defend the home crease for the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Flyers on Thursday. Since his trade from Edmonton in December, Skinner has posted a 3-4-0 record with a 2.34 GAA and an .899 save percentage. Overall this season, the 27-year-old netminder holds a 14-12-4 record with two shutouts, a 2.71 GAA, and an .893 save percentage across 30 appearances split between Pittsburgh and Edmonton. The Flyers currently rank 23rd in NHL scoring, averaging 2.89 goals per game.
Elvis Merzlikins will defend the home cage for the Columbus Blue Jackets against Vancouver on Thursday. This marks a rare start for Merzlikins, as he has played only once since December 22nd, a span of 11 games, with Jet Greaves serving as the undisputed No. 1 goaltender. Merzlikins holds a 6-7-1 record this season with a 4.03 GAA and an .877 save percentage across 15 appearances. The Canucks are currently 27th in the NHL, generating 2.63 goals per game.
Tom Wilson (lower body) has been ruled out of Thursday's game against San Jose, marking his sixth consecutive missed game. The Washington Capitals power forward has accumulated 22 goals, 20 assists, 110 hits, and 59 PIM across 41 appearances this season. There is a possibility that Wilson could return to the lineup for Saturday's matchup against Florida. Brett Leason is expected to remain in the lineup during Wilson's continued absence.
Jakob Chychrun (illness) is available and expected to return to the Washington Capitals' lineup for Thursday's game against San Jose. Chychrun had missed the last two games due to his illness. In his eight appearances leading up to his absence, the defenseman recorded a goal, three assists, 13 blocked shots, four hits, and four penalty minutes, while averaging 23:18 of ice time per game.
Alex Nedeljkovic will patrol the visiting crease for the San Jose Sharks in Washington on Thursday. He will be attempting to secure his third consecutive victory, following recent wins against Dallas and Columbus. This season, Nedeljkovic holds a 7-8-2 record with a 3.12 GAA and an .890 save percentage across 20 appearances. He faces a challenging matchup, as the Capitals are tied for eighth in NHL scoring, averaging 3.26 goals per game.
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brett Kulak is generating trade buzz as the team undergoes a retooling phase. The veteran pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) could be moved, with potential fits including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and Colorado Avalanche. The Maple Leafs could utilize his experience on their bottom pairing and penalty kill, while the Red Wings would benefit from his versatile defensive boost. The Avalanche, aiming for a deep playoff run, could add his playoff experience to their third pairing.
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson is slated to start between the home pipes against San Jose on Thursday. Thompson has been sharp in his last two outings, allowing only three goals on 49 shots in victories over Chicago and Montreal. Overall, the netminder holds a 17-12-4 record with a 2.34 GAA and a .916 save percentage. The Sharks' offense is currently generating 3.13 goals per game, ranking 14th in the NHL.
New York Islanders' No. 1 overall pick, rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer, is set for a rematch against Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. Now established as the Islanders' top defenseman, averaging 23:56 minutes, Schaefer will face significantly more ice time against the Oilers' stars compared to his first encounter. He recently recorded his 13th goal and 30th point of the season, matching Bobby Orr's rookie defenseman goal record, and is looking to demonstrate his growth against elite competition. He powered through a jab to the ribs and a puck off the right knee in a recent game.
Jack Eichel delivered a stellar performance in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime win against the Kings, logging three assists, including one on the power play. He also registered four shots on goal, two blocked shots, and two PIM. Eichel has been exceptional in January, accumulating four goals and six assists over seven contests. The 29-year-old center now boasts 51 points (19 on the power play), 143 shots on net, 26 blocked shots, 23 hits, and a plus-8 rating through 38 appearances this season.
New York Rangers winger Gabe Perreault scored two goals in Wednesday's 8-4 loss to the Senators, ending a 10-game goal drought. The 20-year-old had been limited to three assists over that span and had gone five contests without any points. This season, Perreault has accumulated three goals, four assists, 14 shots on net, 12 hits, 11 blocked shots, and a plus-2 rating through 15 appearances.
Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig notched three assists and a plus-2 rating in Wednesday's 8-4 win against the Rangers. He provided primary helpers on goals by Nick Jensen, Brady Tkachuk, and Dylan Cozens, contributing to his line's 10-point night. This marks Greig's first multi-point effort since November 9th. For the season, he now has six goals, 13 assists, 75 shots on net, 55 PIM, 51 hits, 27 blocked shots, and a plus-1 rating in 41 appearances.
Ottawa Senators center Dylan Cozens scored a goal on four shots and added two assists, finishing with a plus-2 rating in Wednesday's 8-4 victory over the Rangers. All of his production came during the Senators' four-goal first period, including a power-play assist. This performance ended a 10-game stretch where the 24-year-old had only recorded one goal and three assists. Cozens now has 13 goals, 21 helpers, 108 shots, 126 hits, 36 PIM, and a minus-15 rating in 46 appearances this season.
Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk scored his 200th career NHL goal and added three assists, finishing with four points, a plus-3 rating, and two hits in Wednesday's 8-4 win over the Rangers. This marked his first multi-point performance since December 20th. Tkachuk has now accumulated seven points in eight January outings. For the season, he has nine goals, 16 helpers, 108 shots on net, 78 hits, 28 PIM, and a minus-4 rating through 26 appearances.
