NHL Player News

Merzlikins will start Thursday's road game against Carolina, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports.

Merzlikins will defend the crease for the third time in the Blue Jackets' last 11 games Thursday. Across seven appearances in March, he went 3-1-2 with a 2.90 GAA and .882 save percentage. He'll face a tough test against the Hurricanes, who rank fourth in the NHL with 3.49 goals per game.

Yakemchuk (concussion) is not expected to be in the lineup to face Buffalo on Thursday.

With Yakemchuk out of action, the Senators recalled Cameron Crotty from the minors and will put him in the lineup right away. The 20-year-old Yakemchuk has logged just four NHL games this year, tallying one goal, one assist and five shots while averaging 14:32 of ice time.

Schwindt (lower body) is expected to return to the lineup Saturday in Pittsburgh, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

The 24-year-old will be unavailable for Thursday's game in Boston, but head coach Paul Maurice said that Schwindt should be in the lineup Saturday. The 24-year-old has missed 16 games ahead of Thursday's tilt and has three goals and an assist in 22 appearances this season. He'll likely play on the fourth line Saturday.

Foerster (arm) will return to action for Thursday's game against the Red Wings.

Foerster has been sidelined since early December due to an arm injury that required surgery. He was initially expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season, but he'll return to game action with a week and a half remaining in the 2025-26 campaign. He skated on the top line during Thursday's morning skate and will presumably line up alongside Trevor Zegras and Owen Tippett against the Red Wings. Over 21 appearances to begin the season, Foerster recorded 10 goals, three assists, 20 hits, 18 blocked shots and 18 PIM while averaging 17:27 of ice time.

Ullmark was the first goalie to leave the ice Thursday, Julian McKenzie of The Athletic reports, indicating he'll be between the pipes at home against the Sabres.

Ullmark has been struggling of late, posting a 2-2-1 record and 3.26 GAA in his last five outings, including getting the hook versus the Panthers on Tuesday. Despite his underwhelming numbers, the veteran netminder seems to have the trust of the Senators' coaching staff ahead of James Reimer.

Ekblad suffered a broken finger Tuesday versus Ottawa and could be sidelined for the remainder of the season, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports Thursday.

Head coach Paul Maurice said that Ekblad would be out "weeks," and with only two weeks remaining in the regular season and the Panthers all but eliminated from playoff contention, it is likely the end of the campaign for the 30-year-old blueliner. Assuming he doesn't return down the stretch, Ekblad will end the season with four goals, 22 assists, 84 hits and 103 blocked shots across 72 regular-season games in 2025-26.

Kulikov is dealing with a broken nose but could return against Pittsburgh on Saturday or Sunday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports Thursday.

Kulikov has already been ruled out for Thursday's matchup with the Bruins, but it seems he wants to get back in the lineup despite his broken nose. In 17 games for the Panthers this year, the veteran blueliner has yet to register a point while averaging 17:56 of ice time.

Ersson will protect the home cage versus Detroit on Thursday, according to Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Ersson is in the midst of a four-game winning streak in which allowed six goals on 92 shots (.935 save percentage). Overall, the 26-year-old is 13-10-5 with a 3.12 GAA and an .870 save percentage over 30 contests in 2025-26. The Red Wings are 21st in league scoring, generating 2.89 goals per contest.

Fowler will get the starting nod on the road versus the Rangers on Thursday, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Fowler has looked fairly solid over his last four outings, going 3-1-0 with a 2.52 GAA. It seems the young backstop has replaced Sam Montembeault as the No. 2 option behind Jakub Dobes. With an upcoming back-to-back against the Devils on Saturday and Sunday, Fowler figures to get at least one more start down the stretch.

Shesterkin will be between the home pipes versus Montreal on Thursday, per Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic.

Shesterkin has won his last two starts after snapping a four-game losing streak. The Russian netminder is 24-16-6 with a 2.52 GAA and a .912 save percentage in 47 appearances this season, one of the few bright spots in a subpar season for the Rangers. The Canadiens are third in league scoring, generating 3.51 goals per game.