Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (leg) will be unavailable for two weeks, head coach Todd McLellan said on Thursday. The Red Wings captain will miss a third consecutive game on Thursday night when the team visits the Tampa Bay Lightning. Larkin has scored 28 goals and 55 points in 63 games during a productive season. J.T. Compher is set to take over first-line center duties against Tampa Bay. His fantasy value will get a big boost by linking up with Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane, who have combined for over 100 points this season. Compher has managed 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 65 appearances. He has finished 14 of his last 16 outings without a point.

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight (illness) will be available for Thursday's matchup with the Utah Mammoth, Kalen Lumpkins of the Chicago Tribune reports. The 24-year-old netminder has sat out three games due to illness. Knight has had it tough lately, dropping seven of his last eight decisions. Still, he's done solid work in the crease for the Blackhawks in 2025-26, posting a 16-18-8 record, a 2.62 goals-against average, a .908 save percentage, and three shutouts. Knight beat Utah 3-1 in October, and Chicago will look to sweep the regular-season series on Thursday.

San Jose Sharks winger William Eklund (lower body) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Boston Bruins, Max Miller of NHL.com reports. The talented forward has a lower-body injury and didn't practice on Wednesday. Eklund has been the fifth-highest scoring Shark this season, posting 38 points (11 goals, 27 assists) in 58 games. However, he also carries a team-worst minus-26 rating, showing the 23-year-old has struggled during even-strength situations. Eklund's health issues could allow Pavol Regenda to rejoin the lineup. Regenda has scored eight goals in 18 appearances this season but has been used very sparingly in recent weeks.

Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin finished Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers with a power-play assist. He set up Ryan Leonard for a goal midway through the first period to give Washington the lead, but the team's offense was flat for the rest of the contest. Before Wednesday night, Ovechkin went scoreless for three games, and he's had a tough time making an impact since the Olympic break finished. Over the past seven games, Ovechkin has tallied just two goals and one assist. Nonetheless, at 40 years old, the veteran star has maintained a solid level of performance in 2025-26. With 66 games played, Ovechkin has contributed 24 goals and 27 assists.