NHL Player News
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Jeremy Swayman G | BOS
Bruins' Jeremy Swayman: Patrolling home crease
Swayman was the first goalie off during Thursday's morning skate, indicating he'll draw the home start against the Sharks, per Max Miller of NHL.com.
Swayman will get the starting nod for the second consecutive game after picking up his third straight win during Tuesday's overtime victory against the Kings. He has soared during his three starts in March, where he has a 3-0-0 record, .959 save percentage and a 1.00 GAA. Overall, the 27-year-old netminder holds a 25-13-3 record, a 2.76 GAA and a .906 save percentage across 42 appearances this season. He'll be matched up against a Sharks offense that ranks 18th in the NHL with 3.06 goals per game.
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Sergei Bobrovsky G | FLA
Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky: Tending twine Thursday
Bobrovsky will defend the home cage versus Columbus on Thursday, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Bobrovsky snapped a two-game losing streak March 6, stopping 28 shots in a 3-1 win over Detroit. The victory gave Bobrovsky a 23-19-1 record, with a 3.08 GAA and an .876 save percentage. The Blue Jackets are generating 3.19 goals per game, 14th in the NHL.
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Erik Cernak D | TB
Lightning's Erik Cernak: Not available Thursday
Cernak (undisclosed) has been ruled out of Thursday's tilt against Detroit, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Cernak should be considered day-to-day according to head coach Jon Cooper after Thursday's contest. Cernak will miss his second straight game and will be replaced in the lineup by Steve Santini once again. Cernak has one goal, six assists, 81 hits and 77 blocked shots across 43 appearances this season. He could return to action as early as Saturday versus Carolina.
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Alexander Romanov D | NYI
Islanders' Alexander Romanov: Could return in playoffs
Romanov (shoulder) is making strides in his recovery from surgery and could return during the 2025-26 postseason, per Stefen Rosner of NHL.com.
Romanov was spotted skating with Pierre Engvall and Semyon Varlamov on Thursday, showcasing a big step in his recovery that was projected to take five to six months. General manager Mathieu Darche importantly noted that Romanov could return for the playoffs if the Islanders, who currently occupy the third seed in the Metropolitan Division, make it to the dance. If he ultimately can return, the physical blueliner would add strong depth for New York's defensive core, as he dished out 31 hits and blocked 31 shots in just 15 games this season.
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Joseph Woll G | TOR
Maple Leafs' Joseph Woll: Starting Thursday
Woll will be between the home pipes versus Anaheim on Thursday, Mark Masters of TSN reports.
Woll will attempt to snap a four-game losing streak. The netminder is 13-11-4 with a pair of shutouts, a 3.09 GAA and a .904 save percentage across 29 appearances this season. The Ducks are generating 3.23 goals per game in 2025-26, 12th in the NHL.
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Pierre Engvall LW | NYI
Islanders' Pierre Engvall: Officially out for season
Engvall (ankle) will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign, per Stefen Rosner of NHL.com.
General manager Mathieu Darche confirmed that Engvall will miss the rest of the campaign due to the ankle surgery he had in late October. While he's been shut down for 2025-26, he was spotted skating with Alexander Romanov and Semyon Varlamov on Thursday morning, which is a big step in his recovery. Engvall will look ahead to next season after missing the entirety of a campaign for the first time in his six-year NHL career.
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Semyon Varlamov G | NYI
Islanders' Semyon Varlamov: Not playing this season
Varlamov (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports Thursday.
Varlamov had knee surgery in December of 2024 and has not played since then. The 37-year-old goaltender has one more year remaining on a four-year contract he signed in July of 2023. It remains to be seen if he will ever suit up again in the NHL.
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Michael Pezzetta LW | TOR
Maple Leafs' Michael Pezzetta: Recalled from AHL
Pezzetta was summoned from AHL Toronto on Thursday.
Pezzetta has spent all season with AHL Toronto, garnering four goals, six assists and showing some feistiness with 52 PIM in 37 appearances. He is expected to see fourth-line minutes alongside Jacob Quillan and Calle Jarnkrok when the Maple Leafs face Anaheim on Thursday.
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Uvis Balinskis D | FLA
Panthers' Uvis Balinskis: Tagged as questionable
Balinskis (undisclosed) was deemed questionable ahead of Thursday's clash with the Blue Jackets, per George Richards of Florida Hockey Now.
On the same topic where head coach Paul Maurice stated that Balinskis is questionable, he noted that Michael Benning, who was called up Thursday, will likely suit up and make his NHL debut. Balinskis has 10 assists, 15 points, 66 shots on goal, 71 hits and 42 blocked shots across 54 games played this season. His status will be monitored during Thursday's morning skate, but if he can't go, it would likely lead to Benning taking Balinskis' spot on Florida's second pairing.