Vejmelka was expected to start in Utah's final game before the Holiday Break, but was a late scratch and has not suited up since. The 29-year-old Vejmelka has a 2.70 GAA and .894 SV% in 29 games this season (16-10-2).
Trevor van Riemsdyk will draw back into Washington's lineup on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators, resulting in McIlrath returning to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 33-year-old McIlrath has only played five games this season, averaging 11:13 time-on-ice and scoring zero points.
Dylan McIlrath will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing van Riemsdyk to re-enter the lineup against the Ottawa Senators. The 34-year-old van Riemsdyk is averaging 15:54 time-on-ice and has five points (1G / 4A) in 30 games this season.
With Linus Ullmark (personal) still away from the team, Merilainen continues his duties as the Senators' de facto starting goalie. The 23-year-old Merilainen did not fare well in his previous outing, allowing four goals on 22 shots (.818 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has a 3.51 GAA and .869 SV% in 11 games this season (4-7-0).
Struble has been a regular for the Canadiens this season, but is coming off a one-game absence after being a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old defenseman has five assists in 30 games this season. Adam Engstrom will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Struble's return.
Jayden Struble will draw back into Montreal's lineup on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes, sending Engstrom to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Engstrom is averaging 12:29 time-on-ice and has zero points through his first 10 NHL games.
The Canadiens are amid a goalie triangle with Jakub Dobes, Sam Montembeault, and Jacob Fowler, and will turn to Dobes on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 24-year-old Dobes has had a wildly inconsistent season but has put together three consecutive strong games (2-0-1), posting a 1.75 GAA and a .932 SV%. He has a 2.90 GAA and .894 SV% in 20 games this season (12-5-3). The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as +149 road underdogs against a Hurricanes team that has lost four of its last six games (2-3-1).
Woll had a subpar performance in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Ottawa Senators, allowing five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%), but immediately responded with a 33-save shutout in Tuesday's 4-0 win over the New Jersey Devils. The Maple Leafs have had an up-and-down season, but have regularly received consistent netminding from Woll, who has a 2.51 GAA and .920 SV% in 13 games (8-4-1). The Maple Leafs enter Thursday's contest as -130 home favorites against a plummeting Winnipeg Jets team on a seven-game losing streak (0-4-3).
Just one week into his tenure with the Oilers, after being acquired in a trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jarry suffered a lower-body injury and has not played since. He is likely still at least two weeks away from returning to the lineup. The Oilers have rotated between Calvin Pickard and Connor Ingram during Jarry's absence.
Thompson will make his first start since being named as one of Team Canada's three goalies at the upcoming Winter Olympics. The 28-year-old Thompson earned the honor with exceptional goaltending, posting a solid 2.33 GAA and .915 SV% in 28 games this season (15-10-3). The Capitals enter Thursday's contest as +127 road underdogs against an Ottawa Senators team on a three-game losing skid (0-2-1).
With Yegor Chinakhov making his Penguins' debut, Koivunen will be the odd-man out of the lineup as a healthy scratch. The 22-year-old Koivunen has four points (1G / 3A) in 26 games this season.
Knight has been reliable tending the twine for the Blackhawks most of the season, but has fallen below .500 after a six-game losing skid (0-5-1). The 24-year-old Knight has a 2.62 GAA and .910 SV% in 27 games (10-11-6). Knight will likely return to the crease on Thursday in a game where the Blackhawks are +158 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that lost 4-1 to the Buffalo Sabres last night.
The Penguins received a stellar performance from Stuart Skinner in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, but the team seems to be opting for a goalie rotation, turning to Silovs on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 24-year-old Silovs has allowed three or more goals in seven straight games (2-3-2), posting an ugly 3.92 GAA and .825 SV%. The Penguins enter Thursday's contest as -130 home favorites against a Detroit Red Wings team that defeated the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 last night.
Nylander will not play on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets, missing a second straight game. It's unclear whether he will be ready to return to the lineup on Saturday against the New York Islanders, but his lack of availability for practice on Friday is not encouraging. The 29-year-old Nylander has been excellent when healthy, scoring 41 points (14G / 27A) in 33 games.
Othmann played only 5:47 time-on-ice in his previous game and will return to the AHL. The 22-year-old has zero points in six games with the Rangers this season.
Sheary suffered a lower-body injury in Wednesday's game against the Washington Capitals and did not return. He will be sidelined for at least a month after being placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve. The 33-year-old Sheary is averaging 14:48 time-on-ice and has nine points (1G / 8A) in 36 games this season.
Dowling spent most of 2024-25 season in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils, scoring seven points (2G / 5A) in 52 games. That said, the 35-year-old has spent the entirety of 2025-26 in the AHL, scoring 16 points (5G / 11A) in 24 games with Hartford.
Blidh has 85 games of NHL experience, but has only played one game in the past three seasons. The 30-year-old has seven points (3G / 4A) in 28 games with Hartford (AHL).
Berard was a fifth-round pick of the Rangers in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old has nine points (2G / 7A) in 20 games with Hartford (AHL) this season, but zero points in 11 games with the Rangers.
The Penguins received a stellar performance from Stuart Skinner in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, but the team seems to be opting for a goalie rotation, turning to Silovs on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 24-year-old Silovs has allowed three or more goals in seven straight games (2-3-2), posting an ugly 3.92 GAA and .825 SV%. The Penguins enter Thursday's contest as -130 home favorites against a Detroit Red Wings team that defeated the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 last night.
