NHL Player News

Merilainen will start Thursday's road game against the Jets, Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Free Press reports.

Merilainen got the night off Tuesday against the Ducks, but he'll start for the fifth time in the Canucks' last six games Thursday. Across 11 appearances to begin the regular season, the 24-year-old has gone 2-5-1 with a 3.30 GAA and .897 save percentage.

Durzi (undisclosed) is expected to miss Thursday's home clash against the Flyers, per Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic.

Head coach Mike Sullivan stated that Durzi might not travel with the team during the start of the Rangers' upcoming four-game road trip, but could join them at some point. Given that statement, it appears that returning Thursday is out of the question, meaning Durzi will likely miss his third consecutive game. The 28-year-old blueliner has posted five points, 12 shots on net, nine hits and 21 blocked shots over 14 outings when healthy this season. His status will be monitored closely over the next week, as Sullivan added that he could join the team at a certain point in the upcoming four-game trip out west if he doesn't make the initial flight.

Head coach Todd McLellan said Thursday that he expects Kasper (upper body) to return at some point during the Red Wings' upcoming four-game road trip, Max Bultman of The Athletic reports.

Kasper has been on injured reserve due to his upper-body injury since early October, but he resumed skating in a non-contact jersey last week. While he'll remain sidelined for Thursday's game against the Golden Knights, he'll likely be able to return at some point during the Red Wings' road trip that begins Saturday in Colorado and concludes Nov. 14 in Tampa Bay.

Head coach Todd McLellan stated that Appleton (undisclosed) is expected to return to the lineup during the Red Wings' upcoming four-game road trip, per Max Bultman of The Athletic.

McLellan's news is encouraging for Appleton, who was placed on injured reserve following the Red Wings' second game of the season. He was first seen skating in a non-contact jersey on Friday, and has been progressing without any reported setbacks since then. Prior to going down, the 30-year-old winger compiled six hits across his two appearances. Once he's ready to return, he'll likely slot into a role on the team's fourth line. Appleton's first chance to return on the team's upcoming four-game road trip is Saturday against the Avalanche.

Head coach Todd McLellan stated Thursday that Johansson (undisclosed) is expected to be sidelined through the team's upcoming four-game road trip, per Max Bultman of The Athletic.

While McLellan had more positive news regarding the potential returns of Marco Kasper and Mason Appleton, he implied that Johansson will miss at least the next five games. The 25-year-old blueliner landed on injured reserve Wednesday, retroactive to Oct. 24, so he's technically eligible to return at any time. When healthy this season, Johansson has posted an assist, a plus-1 rating, 14 shots on net and 12 blocked shots over 11 appearances. Given McLellan's update, Johansson's realistic next chance to return could be when the Red Wings return home on Wednesday, Nov. 18 to play the Bruins.

Tomkins is slated to start Thursday's home game against the Ducks, Oilers play-by-play announcer Jack Michaels reports.

Tomkins made his first NHL appearance since the 2023-24 campaign during Sunday's road matchup against the Rangers, and he turned aside 27 of 28 shots during the 4-1 victory. He's set to start for the second time in the Oilers' last three games Thursday and will face a tough opponent in the Ducks, who rank sixth in the NHL with 3.60 goals per game to begin the regular season.

Woll was the first goalie off at Thursday's morning skate, Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports, indicating that he'll draw the road start against the Rangers.

Woll has struggled to enter the win column early in the regular season, but he'll return to the crease Thursday after sitting out back-to-back games. Across his eight appearances this year, he's gone 1-5-2 with a 3.13 GAA and .899 save percentage.

Head coach Todd McLellan said Thursday that Gibson (lower body) is considered day-to-day, Michael Whitaker of The Hockey News reports.

Gibson exited Tuesday's game against the Lightning due to his lower-body injury. Daniil Tarasov had already been expected to start Thursday's home game against the Golden Knights, but it appears as though Gibson will be unable to dress as the backup for at least one game. Gibson continues to be evaluated by the team, per Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, while Michal Postava will presumably serve as the backup if Tarasov is officially named the starter Thursday.

Talbot will start Thursday's home game against the Stars, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.

Talbot picked up his third consecutive win Tuesday against the Avalanche, and he'll remain in the crease for a second consecutive matchup Thursday. Across his seven appearances to begin the regular season, he's gone 4-2-0 with a 2.70 GAA and .901 save percentage.

Dach (illness) will suit up for Thursday's game against the Mammoth, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Dach missed the last two matchups due to his illness, but he's been cleared to return to game action Thursday. The 25-year-old had appeared in each of the Canadiens' first 13 games of the regular season prior to his brief absence, and he's recorded three assists, 18 hits, six blocked shots and six PIM while averaging 10:45 of ice time.