Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper (neck) is dealing with soreness but feels fine according to head coach Jared Bednar. Kuemper left Monday's game after Wild forward Jordan Greenway collided with the goaltender and made contact with his head. Kuemper was on the ice for the morning skate and he will make his return to the crease on the second night of the back-to-back on Thursday against the Kings. Kuemper should be started across all fantasy formats as he is the number one goalie on one of the best teams in the league, with a record of 17-5-1, one shutout, a 2.72 goals against average and .908 save percentage through 26 games.
Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov has been suspended for two games for kneeing Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers in Tuesday's game, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced on Wednesday. Orlov will miss the Capitals' upcoming games against the Bruins and Senators later this week, while the 30-year-old will be eligible to return from the suspension to begin next week with Monday's matchup against the Golden Knights. Orlov has been a productive defenseman across standard fantasy formats with five goals and 14 assists for a total of 19 points, along with a plus-17 rating through 38 games played.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ondrej Palat (undisclosed) is considered doubtful to play against the Kings on Tuesday night, according to head coach Jon Cooper. Tonight would mark Palat's third consecutive missed game since suffering the undisclosed injury one week ago. Palat has totaled 15 goals, 15 assists, a plus-seven rating and 30 points through 38 games, making the top six forward a quality option across all fantasy formats moving forward.
St. Louis Blues left wing Pavel Buchnevich will miss Saturday's game against the Maple Leafs after entering the NHL's COVID-19 protocols on Friday. He will be unavailable for the next two games, meaning that the earliest possible return date is next Friday against the Seattle Kraken. Buchnevich should be rostered across standard fantasy formats, as he has been a productive forward for the Blues this season. Buchnevich is tied for the team lead with 14 goals, while adding 21 assists for a total of 35 points through 34 games.
Anaheim Ducks right wing Troy Terry will miss Saturday's game against the Blackhawks after entering the NHL's COVID-19 protocols on Friday. He will be eligible to return for Wednesday's game against the Avalanche as the earliest possible return date. The 24-year-old has scored a team-high 22 goals, which ranks sixth overall in the NHL. Terry has also recorded a team-high 36 points through 38 games, making the fourth-year Ducks winger a valuable option across all fantasy formats during his breakout season.
Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner is expected to return to the lineup against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night after missing the previous three games while in the NHL's COVID-19 protocols. Marner will not be the only Maple Leafs forward making his return from the protocols, as forward Pierre Engvall is also expected to return. Marner has recorded 15 assists and a total of 21 points through 26 games, and the 24-year-old is a must-start winger as he plays alongside center Auston Matthews on the Maple Leafs top line.
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (upper body) is expected to play against the New York Islanders on Saturday afternoon after practicing on Friday. The 36-year-old did not practice on Thursday because of an upper-body injury, and he has yet to miss a game this season. Ovechkin should be activated into the lineup across all fantasy formats as he has scored 24 goals and added 28 assists for 52 points through 37 games, which currently puts him third in the NHL in total points.
Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom did not practice on Friday. Markstrom made his return to game action against the Senators on Thursday, allowing four goals on 34 shots after missing a little over one week due to a minor undisclosed injury. Markstrom has cooled off lately after his very impressive start to the season, posting a 2-3-0 record to go along with a 3.82 goals-against average and an. 881 save percentage over the last five games. Markstrom and the Flames are trending in the wrong direction at the moment, making the 31-year-old a risky option across standard fantasy formats.
New York Rangers forward Alexis Lafreniere has entered the NHL's COVID-19 protocols ahead of Thursday's game against the Sharks. The 20-year-old will miss the contest and as a result forward Lauri Pajuniemi has been recalled from the taxi squad. Lafreniere has scored eight goals and added three assists through 37 games, making the second-year forward a fantasy option only in the deepest of fantasy formats.
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (thumb) will miss one to two weeks due to a partial tear in a tendon in his thumb, according to head coach Dave Tippett. Smith was expected to be the Oilers No. 1 goalie this season, but the 39-year-old has not been able to stay healthy and has been limited to only six appearances. Fantasy managers in deeper formats can look to add goaltender Stuart Skinner, who the Oilers will need production from while Smith is sidelined.
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