Vanecek will start for only the third time in the last six games for the Devils when they face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Vanecek was great in his last contest, albeit against a low-scoring Chicago Blackhawks team, saving 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in a 4-2 victory. Vanecek has tallied consecutive quality starts only once this season and will be hard-pressed to do so on Thursday as the Devils are +136 road underdogs.

Walman was battling an illness that prevented him from practicing on Wednesday but he will be ready to play on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. In his last five games, Walman has four points (1G / 3A) while averaging nearly 20 minutes of ice time per night.

Ty Emberson will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Vlasic to play for only the second time since the Christmas break. In his last contest, Vlasic played under 12 minutes, recorded a -1 plus/minus, and fired two shots on goal.

Despite posting very pedestrian totals over the last month, Georgiev will make his 12th consecutive start for the Avalanche on Wednesday. During that stretch, his teammates have provided him with ample goal support, leading him to an 8-2-1 record while allowing three or more goals eight times, masking an ugly .881 SV%. The Avalanche are -144 home favourites on Wednesday against a Vegas Golden Knights club that defeated them 7-0 in their last meeting in early November.

Walman is battling an illness that prevented him from practicing on Wednesday. In his last five games, Walman has four points (1G / 3A) while averaging nearly 20 minutes of ice time per night.

Sabourin will make his first appearance as a San Jose Shark as Kevin Labanc is the odd-man out on Tuesday. Sabourin has nine goals and four assists in 29 games with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) this season.

Thompson made his NHL debut Sunday vs. Boston and got one shot on goal across 14 shifts and 11:39 TOI but will return to Syracuse (AHL) Monday. The 21-year-old was returned to the minors as Erik Cernak (upper body) likely returns to Tampa Bay's lineup Tuesday.

Georgiev has appeared in 10 straight games for the Avalanche and will return to the starter's crease on Monday against the Boston Bruins. Despite salvaging a respectable 2-1-0 record, Georgiev has allowed three or more goals in his last three games, posting an atrocious .841 SV%. The 27-year-old netminder has a sub- .900 SV% in seven of his last 12 outings (7-3-1). That said, the Avalanche are -129 home favourites against a Bruins club that has scored 12 goals in their last two games (1-1-0).

Sabourin last played in the NHL during a seven-game stint with the Ottawa Senators in the 2021-22 season, scoring two points (0G / 2A). In 29 games with the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL this season, Sabourin has 13 points (9G / 4A) and 92 penalty minutes.

Vanecek has served as the backup to Nico Daws in two of the last three games, both wins for the Devils, but will return to the crease on Friday evening. Before allowing five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins in his last outings, Vanecek won two straight games, saving 48 of 53 shots in the process (.906 SV%). Vanecek and the Devils are overwhelming -432 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks club that has lost four straight, being outscored 15-2 in their last three (0-3-0).

Declan Carlile and Sean Day have both been reassigned to the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL, prompting the Lightning to recall Thompson and Emil Martinsen-Lilleberg. In 31 games with Syracuse (AHL), Thompson has 20 points (2G / 18A).

Vanecek has served as the backup to Nico Daws in two of the last three games, both wins for the Devils, but will likely return to the crease on Friday evening. Before allowing five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins in his last outings, Vanecek won two straight games, saving 48 of 53 shots in the process (.906 SV%). Vanecek and the Devils are overwhelming -432 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks club that has lost four straight, being outscored 15-2 in their last three (0-3-0).

Vlasic will replace the injured Kyle Burroughs (lower-body). Vlasic has no goals and just one assist in 18 games this season.

Georgiev will start for the Avalanche in a matchup against their division rivals, the Dallas Stars. The Avalanche are +113 road underdogs against a Stars team they defeated 6-3 in mid-November when Georgiev allowed three goals on 28 shots (.893 SV%). The 27-year-old netminder allowed four goals on 22 shots (.818 SV%) in his last outing, a 5-4 overtime win over the New York Islanders, but, despite winning five of his last six (5-0-1), owns an unimpressive .899 SV% during that stretch.

Georgiev will likely start for the Avalanche in a matchup against their division rivals, the Dallas Stars. The Avalanche are +113 road underdogs against a Stars team they defeated 6-3 in mid-November when Georgiev allowed three goals on 28 shots (.893 SV%). The 27-year-old netminder allowed four goals on 22 shots (.818 SV%) in his last outing, a 5-4 overtime win over the New York Islanders, but, despite winning five of his last six (5-0-1), owns an unimpressive .899 SV% during that stretch.

Dellandrea will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Radek Faksa to draw back into the lineup. After being a healthy scratch in four straight games, Dellandrea played two straight, scoring zero points and registering one shot on goal.