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Brandon Bussi G | CAR
Hurricanes' Brandon Bussi: Facing Rangers
Bussi will be between the visiting pipes against the Rangers on Thursday, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.
Bussi has won his last six starts and is a gaudy 22-3-1 with a 2.24 GAA and a .904 save percentage. This is his first season in the NHL, but at the age of 27, Bussi is not eligible for the Calder Trophy. The Rangers are generating 2.66 goals per game in 2025-26, good for 26th in the NHL.
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Arturs Silovs G | PIT
Penguins' Arturs Silovs: First goalie off Thursday
Silovs was the first goalie off during Thursday's morning skate, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins' official site reports, indicating that he'll draw the road start against Buffalo.
Silovs has had mixed results in recent weeks, going 2-2-2 with a 2.15 GAA and .921 save percentage over his last six starts. He'll face a touch opponent in the Penguins' final game ahead of the Olympic break, as the Sabres are tied for sixth in the NHL with 3.39 goals per game this year.
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Calum Ritchie C | NYI
Islanders' Calum Ritchie: Cleared to play Thursday
Ritchie (lower body) will return to the lineup Thursday in New Jersey, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports.
It was thought that the Islanders would sit Ritchie one more game in order to give him the extra time off during the Olympic break, but Ritchie is expected to see second-line time between Emil Heineman and Jonathan Drouin, as well as first-unit power-play time. Ritchie had seven goals and 15 points in 40 games prior to missing six games with his injury.
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Elias Salomonsson D | WPG
Jets' Elias Salomonsson: Returned to AHL
Salomonsson was reassigned to AHL Manitoba on Thursday.
Salomonsson has played 13 games with the Jets in his rookie season and has failed to pick up a point. The blueliner has 14 hits and 13 blocked shots while averaging 16:58 of ice time. Salomonsson had a goal and seven assists in 25 AHL games before his recall.
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Ilya Sorokin G | NYI
Islanders' Ilya Sorokin: Tending twine Thursday
Sorokin will get the starting nod in New Jersey on Thursday, per Stefen Rosner of NHL.com.
Sorokin has allowed eight goals on 77 shots in his last two starts, going 1-1-0. Sorokin is 19-13-2 with a 2.48 GAA and a ,915 save percentage this season. He has a league-leading six shutouts across 34 games in 2025-26. The Devils are 31st in NHL scoring, averaging 2.54 goals per game.
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Jordan Greenway LW | CHI
Sabres' Jordan Greenway: Game-time call
Greenway (abdomen) will be a game-time decision versus Pittsburgh on Thursday, Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald reports.
Greenway has missed the last six games. He has one goal, four assists, 48 hits and 15 blocked shots across 33 games this season. Isak Rosen could be the odd-man out of the lineup, if Greenway is given the green light to play.
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Zach Benson LW | BUF
Sabres' Zach Benson: Won't play Thursday
Benson (upper body) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Penguins, Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald reports.
Benson sustained his upper-body injury during Monday's win over the Panthers, and he'll be unavailable for a second consecutive game heading into the Olympic break as he continues to receive treatment. He'll have several weeks to recover during the league's layoff, and his next opportunity to suit up will be Feb. 25 against New Jersey.
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James van Riemsdyk LW | DET
Red Wings' James van Riemsdyk: Back on scoresheet Wednesday
Van Riemsdyk recorded an assist in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Mammoth.
Van Riemsdyk slid the primary helper on Dylan Larkin's lone goal for Detroit. With the apple, van Riemsdyk is up to 11 assists, 25 points, 82 shots on net and 23 blocked shots through 49 games this season. The 17-year NHL veteran has been a steady source of secondary offense for the Red Wings all season. He has particularly excelled since the calendar turned to 2026, scoring five goals and accumulating 14 points across 17 games. He holds strong streaming value in deep fantasy leagues once the Red Wings return to action following the Olympic break.
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Jake Allen G | NJ
Devils' Jake Allen: Drawing start Thursday
Allen will defend the home crease against the Islanders on Thursday, Kristy Flannery of The Hockey News reports.
Allen has struggled since the beginning of the calendar year, going 1-5-0 with a 3.25 GAA and .883 save percentage over his last six starts. He'll have a favorable matchup in the Devils' final game before the Olympic break, as the Islanders are scoring 2.84 goals per game this year, which is tied for the eighth-worst mark in the league.