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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Drew Doughty (lower body) is set to return to action Thursday against Chicago, being activated from injured reserve after missing seven games. The defenseman has recorded two goals and eight points in 19 games this season. Notably, his power-play time has seen a significant decrease, dropping from a career-low 2:35 in 2024-25 to just 1:34 this season.
Filip Gustavsson is confirmed to start in goal for the Minnesota Wild on Thursday against Calgary. The 27-year-old netminder has been splitting duties with Jesper Wallstedt, appearing in five of the team's last 10 games. During this stretch, Gustavsson boasts an undefeated regulation record of 3-0-2, complemented by a 1.72 GAA and one shutout. Wallstedt is anticipated to start Saturday against Vancouver.
Mackenzie Blackwood is confirmed to start Thursday's road game against the Islanders, per Brian Compton of NHL.com. The Colorado Avalanche goaltender has been in stellar form, winning six straight games since his season debut on Nov. 1. Across seven games this season, Blackwood boasts an impressive 1.85 GAA and a .930 save percentage. He will face an Islanders team currently ranked 24th in the NHL for goals per game, averaging 2.85.
Scott Wedgewood (back) will not be available for Thursday's road game against the Islanders, as reported by Corey Masisak of The Denver Post. He was removed from Tuesday's game against the Canucks after his back tightened up and will miss at least one additional matchup. Despite this, the Colorado Avalanche goaltender worked out Thursday morning, and head coach Jared Bednar indicated he could return at some point during the team's current road trip, which concludes next Tuesday.
Dustin Wolf is set to start in goal at home against Minnesota on Tuesday, as reported by Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan. While Devin Cooley has recently handled more of the workload, starting five of the Flames' last seven games, the 24-year-old Wolf was pressed into a relief appearance against Nashville on Tuesday. A strong performance against the Wild could be crucial for Wolf to reclaim his position as the Calgary Flames' No. 1 option.
Calvin Pickard is slated to start in the home crease against Seattle on Thursday, as reported by Oilers play-by-play announcer Jack Michaels. The Edmonton Oilers goaltender has struggled significantly this season, holding a 2-3-2 record with a 4.04 GAA and a .847 save percentage. His peripherals are currently the worst in the league among goaltenders who have played more than three games. He will face a Seattle Kraken team ranked 31st in NHL scoring, averaging 2.46 goals per game.
Sean Monahan (undisclosed) is confirmed to play in Thursday's game against the Red Wings, according to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic. The Columbus Blue Jackets forward exited Monday's win over New Jersey with an undisclosed injury but will suit up just a few days later, maintaining his perfect attendance this season. Through 26 appearances, Monahan has recorded five goals, eight assists, 17 hits, eight PIM, and six blocked shots, averaging 18:31 of ice time.
Tristan Jarry will guard the road net for the Pittsburgh Penguins in Tampa Bay on Thursday, as reported by Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. This start marks his fifth straight appearance, following a relief outing Saturday against Toronto. Jarry boasts an 8-2-0 record this season, coupled with a 2.57 GAA and a .911 save percentage through 11 games. He faces a Tampa Bay Lightning team ranked eighth in NHL scoring, generating 3.27 goals per game.
David Pastrnak (undisclosed) has been ruled out for the Boston Bruins' Thursday game against the St. Louis Blues, as reported by Scott McLaughlin of WEEI. This marks his fourth consecutive absence due to the ongoing undisclosed injury. Head coach Marco Sturm expressed hope during Thursday's pregame press conference that Pastrnak will be able to resume skating soon. In his absence, Alex Steeves is expected to maintain a first-line role against the Blues.
Joonas Korpisalo will be between the home pipes for the Boston Bruins against St. Louis on Thursday, according to Scott McLaughlin of WEEI. Korpisalo enters action with a 4-6-0 record this season. His peripherals have been notably weak, posting a 3.52 GAA and an .880 save percentage. He will face a St. Louis Blues team that is currently averaging 2.56 goals per game, ranking 30th in the NHL.
Jordan Binnington will patrol the visiting crease for the St. Louis Blues in Boston on Thursday, as reported by Matthew DeFranks of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In his last start, Binnington was pulled after allowing two goals on his first five shots. This season, the netminder holds a 6-6-5 record with a 3.20 GAA and an .878 save percentage across 18 appearances. He faces a Boston Bruins team that is generating 3.06 goals per game, ranking 14th in the NHL.
Andrei Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) will not dress for the Tampa Bay Lightning's game Thursday against Pittsburgh, as reported by Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times. Head coach Jon Cooper confirmed Jonas Johansson will start in his place. Cooper also stated that he expects Vasilevskiy to be ready to play Saturday against the Islanders. In a related move, the Lightning recalled Brandon Halverson from AHL Syracuse to serve as the backup netminder for Thursday's game.
Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot (upper body) is expected to miss approximately 10 more days, according to head coach Travis Green. Chabot, who was placed on injured reserve Saturday, has appeared in just one of the Senators' last nine games. Despite being eligible to return, he requires more time before rejoining game action, prompting the Senators to adjust their defensive pairings in his continued absence.
Leevi Merilainen is confirmed to start in goal for the Ottawa Senators at home against the Rangers on Thursday, having been the first goaltender off the ice at morning practice. Merilainen holds a 3-3-0 record with a 3.40 GAA and an .874 save percentage in six starts this season. The Rangers, despite being 27th in scoring overall (2.64 GPG), have a potent road offense, scoring 54 goals in 16 away contests, tied for the NHL lead.
Veteran defenseman Ryan McDonagh has signed a three-year contract extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The new deal is valued at $12.3 million, securing his tenure with the team for the foreseeable future.
Jonas Johansson is set to defend the home crease for the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. He enters the game having won his last two starts, allowing just four goals on 45 shots in victories over Washington and the Rangers. This season, Johansson boasts a 5-2-0 record with a 2.92 GAA and an .895 save percentage across eight games. The Penguins' offense ranks 10th in the NHL, averaging 3.16 goals per game.
Ilya Sorokin was the first goalie off the ice at Thursday's morning skate, confirming his home start for the New York Islanders against the Colorado Avalanche. Sorokin recently snapped a three-game losing streak with a strong performance Tuesday against the Lightning, stopping 30 of 31 shots (.968 save percentage) in a 2-1 victory. He previously faced Colorado on Nov. 16, allowing three goals on 27 shots (.889 save percentage) in a 4-1 loss.
Elvis Merzlikins will start in goal for the Columbus Blue Jackets at home against Detroit on Thursday, marking his first consecutive appearance of the season. He is coming off a win against New Jersey on Monday, where he allowed three goals on 33 shots. In 10 outings this year, the 31-year-old Latvian holds a 5-5-0 record with a 3.50 GAA and an .895 save percentage. Merzlikins is expected to split the upcoming back-to-back with Jet Greaves.
Sergei Bobrovsky is set to defend the home crease for the Florida Panthers against the Nashville Predators on Thursday. Bobrovsky has been in a recent skid, holding an 0-3-0 record with a 4.53 GAA and a .831 save percentage over his last three starts. He faces a favorable matchup as he attempts to rebound, with the Predators currently tied for the fourth-worst scoring in the league, averaging just 2.62 goals per game this season.
Kirill Marchenko (knee) will return to the Columbus Blue Jackets' lineup on Thursday against Detroit, ending a four-game absence due to his knee problem. Prior to his injury, the Russian winger was in an eight-game goal drought, but he still managed to generate six assists and 14 shots over that stretch. Marchenko will look to get back into the goal column against a Red Wings squad that is currently giving up 3.41 goals per game.
