NHL News

Jake Guentzel • LW • Lightning

Jake Guentzel Sets Up Three Goals Thursday

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Jake Guentzel recorded a hat trick of assists in Thursday's entertaining 5-4 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. His passing ability helped Tampa Bay erase a 3-0 deficit in the game, but Guentzel couldn't celebrate a victory over his former team. Guentzel is having a career year in 2025-26, posting 26 goals and 63 points in 57 outings. This could be his first campaign with 90 points. The newly crowned Olympic champion has been especially hot since the turn of the year, amassing 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists) in 18 games in 2026. This stretch includes nine multi-point performances.

Feb 27

Leon Draisaitl • C • Oilers

Leon Draisaitl Tallies Four Points Against Kings

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl had his third four-point game of the season on Thursday night, finishing an 8-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings with a goal and three assists. The German superstar potted a power-play goal in the third period to become only the fifth player born outside North America to record at least eight consecutive seasons with 30 markers. He has also recorded 54 assists in 57 appearances. With 84 points, Draisaitl is fourth in the league. Meanwhile, only his partner in crime, Connor McDavid (40), has managed more power-play points than Draisaitl (36). The deadly duo will look to close out the week in style on Saturday against the San Jose Sharks, who have a 78.7 percent penalty kill.

Feb 27

Joel Kiviranta • LW • Avalanche

Joel Kiviranta Sustains Undisclosed Injury Thursday

Colorado Avalanche winger Joel Kiviranta (undisclosed) left Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild midway through the second period. He was unable to continue after absorbing a hit from Wild defenseman Zach Bogosian. Kiviranta has played in only 30 of Colorado's 57 games and could miss time again. The Finnish forward has contributed two goals and five assists as a fourth-line grinder. Colorado is carrying Zakhar Bardakov as an extra forward, and he'll likely hop into the lineup if Kivirant can't play in Saturday's contest against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Feb 27

Filip Gustavsson • G • Wild

Filip Gustavsson Makes Late Exit Thursday

Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (illness) was forced to leave Thursday's 5-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche with only 1:04 remaining in the third period. The Swedish netminder became ill during the game. Gustavsson put in a big performance, saving 44 of 45 shots. Jesper Wallstedt allowed one goal on two shots after replacing Gustavsson, who improved to 21-9-6 on Thursday night. With the Wild back in action on Friday against the Utah Mammoth, Wallstedt is likely to receive the starting nod. He has also seen a lot of success in the Wild crease this season, posting a 14-5-4 record.

Feb 27

Joel Armia • RW • Kings

Joel Armia Sustains Upper-Body Injury

Los Angeles Kings right wing Joel Armia was limited to 4:46 of action on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers, leaving the game with an upper-body injury. Armia was one of the standout players at the Olympic tournament and was looking to build on that momentum. Unfortunately, he played only a handful of minutes on Thursday night and could miss additional time. Armia has totaled 10 goals and 20 points in 53 games with the Kings this season. Andrei Kuzmenko (undisclosed) or Samuel Helenius could replace Armia in the lineup on Saturday against the Calgary Flames. Kuzmenko is dealing with an undisclosed injury but was labeled day-to-day on Thursday and might be ready to play over the weekend.

Feb 27

Drew Doughty • D • Kings

Drew Doughty Exits Loss With Lower-Body Injury

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty suffered a lower-body injury in Thursday's 8-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. He was limited to 15:15 of ice time, exiting the action in the second period. The former Norris Trophy winner has been held scoreless in 19 of his last 20 outings and could struggle to reach the 20-point plateau this season. In 51 appearances, Doughty has managed three goals and 11 assists. The Kings complete this week's action on Saturday against the Calgary Flames, with Jacob Moverare ready to step in for Doughty if needed.

Feb 27

Jordan Binnington • G • Blues

Jordan Binnington on Non-Roster List

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington is not on the roster for Thursday night's game versus the Kraken. Goaltender Joel Hofer will get the start in his place, and Georgi Romanov will serve as the backup. Binnington is expected to rejoin St. Louis for Saturday's game against New Jersey. For the season, Binnington has a 3.65 goals-against average and an .864 save percentage.

Feb 26

Mackenzie Blackwood • G • Avalanche

Mackenzie Blackwood Starting in Net Versus Wild

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood is receiving the start for Thursday's game against the Wild. Blackwood is in net for the second half of the Avalanche's back-to-back set after they picked up a win on Wednesday night against the Mammoth with goaltender Scott Wedgewood in the crease. Blackwood has been productive when healthy this season, with a record of 16-5-1 to go along with a 2.25 goals-against average, three shutouts, and a .916 save percentage through 23 appearances for the league-leading Avalanche.

Feb 26

Dylan Holloway • LW • Blues

Dylan Holloway Rejoins Blues Lineup Thursday

St. Louis Blues forward Dylan Holloway (ankle) will return to work on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. He has missed 23 of the last 24 games due to a right high ankle sprain. The injury has been one of many challenges for Holloway during a testing campaign. A year after a 63-point season, he has contributed just eight goals and nine assists in 34 games. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect an improvement from Holloway, as the Blues are bound to finish among the worst teams in the league. For Thursday's game, Holloway is expected to be paired with Pius Suter and Jonatan Berggren on the third line. He will also have a spot on the second power-play unit.

Feb 26

Simon Edvinsson • D • Red Wings

Simon Edvinsson Back in Red Wings Lineup Thursday

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (lower body) is poised to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators after being activated from Injured Reserve. A lower-body injury kept him out of action for seven games before the Olympic break. Edvinsson has drawn praise for his steady play this season, recording 17 points (six goals, 11 assists), 57 shots, 104 blocks, 63 hits, and a plus-six rating in 48 games. The Swedish blue-liner will rejoin his usual partner, Moritz Seider, on the first defensive pairing and will grab a spot on the second power-play unit.

Feb 26

Adam Fox • D • Rangers

Adam Fox Ready to Face Flyers

New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (lower body) will play on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Before the Olympic break, Fox missed 13 consecutive games and has been available for just three of the last 30 games. When in the lineup, Fox has been top-class, recording 28 points (four goals, 24 assists), 56 shots, and 45 blocks in 30 appearances. The Flyers allow over three goals per game (3.16) and have a .884 save percentage this season, making it a favorable fantasy matchup for Fox and the Rangers.

Feb 26

Igor Shesterkin • G • Rangers

Igor Shesterkin Available Thursday

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (lower body) will be back in the net on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Russian netminder hasn't played since Jan. 5 due to a lower-body injury. Although the Rangers sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, Shesterkin has had a fine campaign. He has posted a 17-12-4 record across 34 starts, with a 2.45 goals-against average, a .913 save percentage, and one shutout. On Thursday, Shesterkin will go up against the league's 22nd-ranked offense, which has produced 2.86 goals per game.

Feb 26

Kris Letang • D • Penguins

Kris Letang Returns to Action Thursday

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (foot) will return to the lineup on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. While Pittsburgh has just lost Sidney Crosby (lower body), the team will get a big defensive piece back. Letang missed the final four games before the Olympic break with a fractured foot. The 38-year-old has recorded 25 points (three goals, 22 assists), 196 shots, 64 blocks, and 67 hits in 50 outings this season. Letang will be part of the second power-play unit and will have a new partner on the second defensive pairing, with the recently acquired Samuel Girard expected to skate with him.

Feb 26

Tim Stützle • LW • Senators

Tim Stutzle a Game-Time Call Thursday

Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle (illness) is a game-time decision for Thursday's tilt against the Detroit Red Wings. The German star is dealing with an illness and missed the morning skate. Stutzle entered the Olympic break with a five-game goal streak and has totaled 61 points (28 goals, 33 assists) in 57 games this season. Shane Pinto and Lars Eller will likely have larger roles in Thursday's game if Stutzle doesn't play. Pinto is the more attractive fantasy option, though he has been inconsistent since his hot start to the season.

Feb 26

Nathan MacKinnon • C • Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon Expected to Play Thursday

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (not injury-related) will return to action on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild, Dylan Loucks of The Hockey News reports. MacKinnon didn't play in Wednesday's 4-2 road victory over Utah, taking a bit of extra rest after the Olympic tournament. The Avalanche leader sits third in scoring in the NHL, recording 40 goals and 53 assists in 55 appearances. He's had multiple points in 10 of his last 19 outings. MacKinnon's return will bump Brock Nelson to the second line, but he will continue to be heavily involved in the offense.

Feb 26

Brock Nelson • C • Avalanche

Brock Nelson Produces 30th Goal of the Campaign

Colorado Avalanche center Brock Nelson potted his 30th goal of the season in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Utah Mammoth. With Nathan MacKinnon (not injury-related) out of the lineup, Nelson skated as the first-line center and registered the game-winning goal on Wednesday night. Nelson has been somewhat of a late bloomer, becoming only the second player in NHL history to record each of his first four 30-goal campaigns after turning 30. In 56 outings, he has also had 20 assists during his first full season in Denver. Although MacKinnon could jump back into action on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild, Nelson will continue to play a vital role for Colorado.

Feb 26

Nikita Kucherov • RW • Lightning

Nikita Kucherov Extends Point Streak to 11 Games

Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov finished Wednesday's 4-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs with three points. He logged the game-winning goal and dished out two assists, extending the NHL's longest active point streak to 11 games. Kucherov has had only three longer scoring streaks in his career, with his career-best at 13 games. He can match it this week as Tampa Bay takes on Carolina on Thursday and Buffalo on Saturday. Kucherov has been incredible in 2026, amassing 43 points (12 goals, 31 assists) in 17 games. He has jumped to second on the league's scoring list, tallying 94 points (30 goals, 64 assists) in 52 outings this season.

Feb 26

Tage Thompson • C • Sabres

Tage Thompson Leads Sabres Past Devils

Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson tallied a goal and an assist in Wednesday's 2-1 road victory over the New Jersey Devils. Thompson had a productive Olympic campaign and continued where he left off, scoring his 31st goal of the season and setting up Peyton Krebs for the game-winner. Thompson leads his team in scoring, with 61 points (31 goals, 30 assists) in 58 outings. He boasts 11 goals and 13 assists across his last 18 appearances. The 28-year-old will head out two more times this week as Buffalo faces a back-to-back set in Florida against the Panthers and Lightning.

Feb 26

Wyatt Johnston • C • Stars

Wyatt Johnston Pots Two Goals in Wednesday's Win

Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston had two goals on four shots in Wednesday's 4-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken. He produced Dallas' first and last goal as the hosts jumped to a 4-0 lead. With his second marker, Johnston surpassed Mike Modano for the most power-play goals in a single season in team history. Johnston has struck 19 times with the man advantage and boasts 31 goals overall. He's added 30 assists in 58 appearances. This season, Johnston is on pace to average at least a point per game for the first time in his career.

Feb 26

Ryan Lindgren • D • Kraken

Ryan Lindgren Exits Early Wednesday

Seattle Kraken defenseman Ryan Lindgren (undisclosed) exited Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars after logging only 01:24 of ice time. He couldn't continue after a collision with Stars forward Colin Blackwell. Lindgren's early exit from Wednesday's loss leaves him questionable for Thursday's tilt against the St. Louis Blues. Cale Fleury and Josh Mahura are the options to come into the lineup as Lindgren's replacement. Neither player should draw fantasy interest, as they have totaled just five points between them this season.

Feb 26

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