NHL Player News

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.

Quick (upper body) won't start Thursday's home matchup against the Canadiens and is considered a game-time decision to serve as the backup, Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic reports.

Quick has missed the last six games due to his upper-body injury, and he's being evaluated by the Rangers' medical staff following Thursday's morning skate. Igor Shesterkin has been named the starter for the Blueshirts on Thursday, while Dylan Garand would dress as the backup once again if Quick remains out.

Vasilevskiy was the first goaltender off the ice at morning practice, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports, and he's slated to guard the home cage versus Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Vasilevskiy is having another outstanding season, posting a 35-13-4 record with a 2.32 GAA and a .911 save percentage across 52 appearances. The Penguins are generating 3.47 goals per game in 2025-26, which ranks sixth in the NHL.

Sanderson (upper body) was sporting a non-contact jersey ahead of Thursday's matchup with the Sabres, Claire Hanna of TSN reports.

With Sanderson still not cleared for contact, it seems he'll miss his 13th straight game due to his upper-body issue. In his last 13 outings, the 23-year-old blueliner notched one goal and eight assists, including five power-play points, while averaging 23:33 of ice time.

Bobrovsky will start Thursday's home game against the Bruins, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports.

Bobrovsky has seen somewhat limited playing time in recent weeks, as Thursday's start will be just his second over the Panthers' last five games. Across eight starts in March, he went 4-4-0 with a 2.61 GAA and .899 save percentage.

Chaffee was recalled from AHL Syracuse on Thursday.

Chaffee spent all of last season with the Lightning, tallying 12 goals and six assists across 66 games. He has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign with AHL Syracuse, scoring 24 goals and adding 31 assists over 52 contests. He has yet to pick up a point in seven NHL games this season. Chaffee will probably play against Pittsburgh on Thursday because Brandon Hagel (undisclosed) and Scott Sabourin (undisclosed) are doubtful for the contest.

Crotty was recalled from AHL Belleville on Thursday.

Crotty has yet to appear in an NHL game this season, having logged two prior appearances in 2023-24 and 2024-25 for the Coyotes and Wild, respectively. The decision to bring Crotty up from the minors ahead of Thursday's tilt with the Sabres could be an indication that Carter Yakemchuk (upper body) and Jake Sanderson (upper body) will not be available.