NHL Hockey Player News

Haula was a surprising contributor for Team Finland at the Olympics, scoring six points (3G / 3A) in six games to help them win a Bronze Medal. Still, he may not be ready to play when Nashville returns to action on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 34-year-old Haula has 29 points (9G / 20A) in 57 games with the Predators this season.

Saros was excellent for Team Finland at the Olympics, helping them win a Bronze Medal, but he may not be ready to suit up when Nashville returns to action on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 30-year-old Saros has not had the same success at the NHL level this season and was particularly struggling heading into the Olympic break, allowing three or more goals in nine consecutive appearances (4-2-2) while posting an ugly 4.31 GAA and .875 SV%.

Sorokin was one of the hottest goalies in the NHL heading into the Olympic break and will hope to pick up where he left off when he returns to the crease on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 30-year-old Sorokin had a rough start to the season, with an ugly 3.75 GAA and .868 SV% in his first seven games (2-4-1), but quickly turned things around, going 18-9-1 with a stellar 2.10 GAA and .928 SV% the rest of the way. The Islanders enter Thursday's contest as +127 road underdogs against a Canadiens team that had points in four straight games heading into the break (3-0-1).

Stutzle played well for Team Germany at the Olympics, scoring six points (4G / 2A) in five games, but his return to the Senators' lineup may have to wait, as he is battling an illness. The 24-year-old Stutzle is having a terrific season, with 61 points (28G / 33A) through 57 games. He had 10 points (6G / 4A) while riding a seven-game point streak heading into the Olympic break.

Ullmark did not play in Ottawa's final game before the Olympic Break due to an illness, but he will suit up Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Ullmark had only played two games since returning from a five-week personal leave, but played well, winning both games while posting a 1.50 GAA and .930 SV%. Ottawa needs a strong finish to the season to return to the playoffs, beginning by entering Thursday's game as -151 home favourites against a Red Wings team that defeated them 4-3 in their previous meeting.

Chinakhov did not practice on Wednesday due to a personal matter, but will play in Thursday's game against the New Jersey Devils. With Sidney Crosby (lower body) sidelined for at least four weeks, the Penguins will hope that Chinakhov can elevate his game to help supplement some of the team's missing offensive production. The 25-year-old Chinakhov has 12 points (8G / 4A) in 18 games with the Penguins.

Silovs was performing admirably heading into the Olympic break, and the Penguins will turn to him to tend the twine in their first game back. The 24-year-old Silovs has a 2.10 GAA and .922 SV% in his last seven games (3-2-2). The Penguins will be without Sidney Crosby (lower body) for the next several weeks and will need a strong team effort down the stretch, starting with goaltending, if they plan to return to the postseason. Pittsburgh enters Thursday's contest as a -153 home favourite against a New Jersey Devils team that played last night and lost 2-1 to the Buffalo Sabres.

Merzlikins was relied upon heavily after Rick Bowness took over as Head Coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and he will return to the crease in their first game back from the Olympic break. The 31-year-old Latvian goalie was showcasing his most consistent goaltending in several seasons before the break, winning five of his last six outings (5-1-0), posting a tremendous 2.03 GAA and .924 SV%. The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as slight -104 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins team that entered the league stoppage on a 4-0-3 run.

Tkachuk played an integral role in Team USA's Gold Medal performance at the Olympics, scoring six points (0G / 6A) in six games, and should be ready to play when Florida returns to action on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 28-year-old Tkachuk did not make his season debut until mid-January, returning from an injury, and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 10 games this season.

Shesterkin was sidelined for a month heading into the Olympic break due to a lower-body injury, but he will return to the crease when the Rangers return to action on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Rangers struggled without Shesterkin, going 2-11-1, and will be eager to have him back between the pipes. The 30-year-old goalie played his most consistent hockey of the season before his injury, winning four of six (4-1-1) while posting a 2.04 GAA and .934 SV%. The Rangers enter Thursday's contest as -132 home favourites against a Flyers team they defeated 6-3 in their previous meeting.

Rodrigues did not play in Florida's final game before the Olympic break due to an illness, but he will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 32-year-old Rodrigues is averaging 17:15 time-on-ice and has 25 points (10G / 15A) in 56 games this season.

Montembeault has had a disappointing 2025-26 season, but will hope to pick up where he left off in his final outing before the Olympic break, saving 36 of 37 shots (.973 SV%) in a 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Troubles aside, the 29-year-old Montembeault was performing better after returning from a conditioning stint in the AHL in late December, posting a 2.84 GAA and .902 SV% in his last eight outings (5-2-1). The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as -142 home favourites against a New York Islanders team that entered the break on a two-game winning streak.

Silovs was performing admirably heading into the Olympic break, and the Penguins will turn to him to tend the twine in their first game back. The 24-year-old Silovs has a 2.10 GAA and .922 SV% in his last seven games (3-2-2). The Penguins will be without Sidney Crosby (lower body) for the next several weeks and will need a strong team effort down the stretch, starting with goaltending, if they plan to return to the postseason. Pittsburgh enters Thursday's contest as a -153 home favourite against a New Jersey Devils team that played last night and lost 2-1 to the Buffalo Sabres.

McAvoy played an integral shutdown role for Team USA during their Gold Medal performance at the Olympics, and it is unclear if he will be ready to suit up when Boston returns to action on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 28-year-old McAvoy is pacing for career-best offensive totals this season, scoring 39 points (4G / 35A) through 39 games. He had a career-high 56 points (10G / 46A) in 78 games in the 2021-22 season.

Jeremy Swayman did not play much for Team USA at the Olympics, but still, the Bruins will give him an extra night of rest, as he will back up Korpisalo on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 31-year-old Korpisalo had an increased workload in the weeks leading up to the Olympic break and performed well, posting a 2.32 GAA and .916 SV% in his last eight appearances (4-1-2). The Bruins enter Thursday's contest as slight -106 home favourites against a Blue Jackets team that was on fire before the league stoppage, having won seven straight games.

Ullmark did not play in Ottawa's final game before the Olympic Break due to an illness, but he will suit up Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Ullmark had only played two games since returning from a five-week personal leave, but played well, winning both games while posting a 1.50 GAA and .930 SV%. Ottawa needs a strong finish to the season to return to the playoffs, beginning by entering Thursday's game as -151 home favourites against a Red Wings team that defeated them 4-3 in their previous meeting.

Bobrovsky managed a winning 21-17-1 record before the Olympic break, but the Panthers will need him to elevate his game during their late-season push for a playoff spot. The 37-year-old veteran goalie lost four of 13 games (4-9-0) heading into the break, posting a dreadful 3.87 GAA and .831 SV%. Still, the Panthers enter Thursday's contest as -149 home favourites against a Toronto Maple Leafs team that played last night and lost 4-2 to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Robinson has not played since mid-January, but will be in the lineup when Carolina returns from the Olympic break on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 30-year-old Robinson is averaging 11:44 time-on-ice and has 15 points (10G / 5A) in 44 games this season.