Vaakanainen has appeared in 65 games this season for Anaheim but will head to the press box on Friday as he is replaced by Radko Gudas, who is returning from injury. The 25-year-old played in 68 career NHL games across six separate seasons before sticking with the Ducks this year and has taken a massive step forward with his 14 points (1G/13A), 66 SOG and 26 PIMs in 65 games in 2023-24.
Matt Rempe will be a healthy scratch on Friday, allowing Brodzinski to draw back into the lineup. Brodzinski has been held off the scoresheet in five of the last six games.
Jonny Brodzinski will draw back into the lineup on Friday, making Rempe a healthy scratch. Rempe was ejected from Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils after receiving a fighting major only two seconds into the contest.
Derek Ryan will draw back into the Oiler's lineup on Friday, making Carrick a healthy scratch. Carrick played the last two games and recorded two points (0G / 2A).
The Rangers will likely turn to Quick for the second time in the last four games as the Rangers visit the Detroit Red Wings. Quick struggled in his last outing, allowing five goals on 32 shots (.844 SV%), but received adequate offensive support from his team in an eventual 8-5 win over the Arizona Coyotes. The Rangers enter on Friday as -137 road favourites.
Kaliyev will take a seat on Thursday as the Kings opt to get some fresh legs into their lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Akil Thomas will draw into the lineup in his place.
The Rangers will likely turn to Shesterkin again on Wednesday after a disappointing 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday. Shesterkin has allowed three or more goals in four of his last five (3-2-0), with the weakest performance in his most recent outing, allowing three goals on only 18 shots (.833 SV%). That said, the Rangers -182 home favourites against a New Jersey Devils team they defeated 3-1 less than a month ago.
Groulx will take a seat on Tuesday as Ross Johnston draws back into the Ducks' lineup. Groulx has no goals and two assists in 43 games this season.
Vaisanen was the fourth-round pick of the Rangers in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and has earned himself a three-year, entry-level contract. The 21-year-old forward has 14 points (9G / 5A) in 58 games this season with TPS Turku (SM-liiga).
Scanlin made his NHL debut earlier this month but has mostly served as a healthy scratch since being with the Rangers. The 24-year-old will return to the Hartford Wolfpack of the AHL, where he has 16 points (8G / 8GA) in 56 games.
Mancini was a fifth-round pick of the Rangers in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and has spent the last three seasons playing with the University of Nebraska-Omaha. The 21-year-old defenseman scored 23 points (4G / 19A) in his 110-game college-hockey career.
The Rangers are riding a five-game winning streak and will return to Shesterkin between the pipes after giving him the night off in an 8-5 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday. Shesterkin has allowed three or more goals in three of his last four (3-1-0), but was stellar in his last outing, saving 38 of 40 shots (.950 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. The league-leading Rangers enter action as -191 home favourites against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Vaakanainen will draw right back into the lineup after sitting out Tuesday's game as Owen Zellweger will be the odd-man out on Thursday. Vaakanainen has one goal and twelve assists in 61 games this season.
Lindgren left last Sunday's game after a scary leg injury that fortunately left him with only a week-to-week prognosis and will be able to return on Thursday. The 26-year-old defenseman has two goals, 13 points, 60 SOG, 30 PIMs and a +19 plus/minus through 66 games played before his injury.
Lindgren left last Sunday's game after a scary leg injury that fortunately left him with only a week-to-week prognosis. The 26-year-old defenseman has two goals, 13 points, 60 SOG, 30 PIMs and a +19 plus/minus through 66 games played before his injury.
The Rangers have won three straight and will return to Shesterkin between the pipes. Despite allowing eight goals in his last two games, including five on 41 shots (.878 SV%) in his last outing, a 6-5 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, Shesterkin has won two straight. The Rangers enter action on Thursday as a +137 road underdog against the red-hot Colorado Avalanche, who had a nine-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday.
The Rangers have won three straight and will likely return to Shesterkin between the pipes. Despite allowing eight goals in his last two games, including five on 41 shots (.878 SV%) in his last outing, a 6-5 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, Shesterkin has won two straight. The Rangers enter action on Thursday as a +137 road underdog against the red-hot Colorado Avalanche, who had a nine-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday.
Cuylle missed his first game of the season last week, being a healthy scratch. He has 21 points (12G / 8A), 105 shots, and 221 hits in 71 games this season. Matt Rempe will be the odd man out of the lineup on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche.