NHL Player News

Hellebuyck is slated to start Thursday's road game against Boston, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports.

Hellebuyck will start for the ninth time over the Jets' 10 games in March, and he's gone 4-2-2 with a 2.36 GAA and .907 save percentage across his previous eight outings. The Bruins are generating 3.25 goals per game this year, which ranks 11th in the NHL.

Pionk (undisclosed) was skating in a regular jersey ahead of Thursday's clash with Boston, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports.

Pionk remains on injured reserve, but the fact that he is with the team on its three-game road trip is certainly a sign that he is nearing a return to action. If the defenseman does get into the lineup, it would be his first appearance since Jan. 13 versus the Isles, a stretch of 22 games on inured reserve.

Head coach Todd McLellan said that Brandsegg-Nygard (undisclosed) is close to returning and is a possibility for Thursday's game against the Canadiens, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

Brandsegg-Nygard has missed the last two games due to an unspecified issue, but his return to the lineup appears to be imminent. He's made three appearances for the Red Wings since being recalled in early March, recording eight hits and three shots on goal while averaging 11:47 of ice time.

Copp (leg) will be a game-time decision versus Montreal on Thursday, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

Copp was injured March 10 in Florida and was supposed to be out at least two weeks. The center has eight goals, 37 points and 94 shots on goal over 65 games with the Red Wings this season. Should Copp return to the lineup, look for Sheldon Dries to be the odd-man out.

Vaakanainen (upper body) will not be in the lineup versus Columbus on Thursday, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.

Vaakanainen didn't make the trip to Columbus, but for now, he should be considered day-to-day. With the blueliner on the shelf, Connor Mackey or Vincent Iorio figures to step into the lineup for the Rangers on Thursday. For his part, the 27-year-old Vaakanainen has yet to score a goal in 33 outings this year while chipping in six assists.

Shesterkin will be between the visiting pipes in Columbus on Thursday, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.

Shesterkin saw his four-game winning streak come to an end Monday against Los Angeles, as he gave up three goals on 25 shots in a 3-2 loss. Shesterkin is 22-13-6 with a 2.50 GAA and a .913 save percentage over 42 appearances this season. The Blue Jackets are generating 3.15 goals per game, 14th in the NHL.

Laba (lower body) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Columbus, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.

Laba suffered a lower-body injury during Wednesday's game against the Devils, and he'll be unavailable for the second half of the back-to-back set. Jonny Brodzinski and Juuso Parssinen are candidates to enter the lineup Thursday, while Laba's next opportunity to suit up will be Sunday against the Jets.

Anderson (upper body) has been ruled out of Thursday's clash in Detroit, RDS.ca reports.

Anderson has 13 goals, nine assists, 112 hits and 52 PIM over 61 games this season. The 31-year-old should be considered day-to-day at this time. Look for Joe Veleno, or possibly Patrik Laine (abdomen) to enter the lineup in place of Anderson.

Swayman will start Thursday's home game against the Jets, Conor Ryan of The Boston Globe reports.

Swayman has been relatively solid this month, going 4-1-1 with a 1.96 GAA and .925 save percentage over six starts in March. He'll have a favorable matchup against the Jets, who are generating 2.84 goals per game this year, which is the ninth-lowest mark in the NHL.

Mackey was recalled from AHL Hartford on Thursday.

Mackey was sent to the minors in early February, but he'll rejoin the NHL club to provide additional depth after Urho Vaakanainen (upper body) exited Wednesday's game against the Devils. Mackey hasn't yet appeared in any games for the Rangers this year, but he's recorded five goals, 10 assists and 81 PIM over 52 appearances with Hartford.