NHL News
Darcy Kuemper Remains Sidelined Versus Montreal
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (lower body) will not suit up against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. He continues to nurse a lower-body injury, sitting out a second consecutive game. David Rittich will log another start despite having a nightmare in his season debut on Wednesday versus Toronto. The Czech netminder lasted only 32:22, allowing four goals on 14 shots. Pheonix Copley, who gave up two goals on 12 shots against the Maple Leafs, will continue as the backup versus Montreal. Rittich owns a 1-3-1 career record against the Canadiens and takes on a team that has averaged 3.00 goals per game this season.
6 hours ago
Jack Quinn Scratched On Thursday
Buffalo Sabres right wing Jack Quinn won't feature against the Blue Jackets on Thursday, exiting the lineup as a healthy scratch. The young winger gets some time off to reset after logging one assist and a minus-four rating in five games to start the season. Jiri Kulich takes over from Quinn on the second line and should also see time on the second power-play unit. He's been quiet early in the season as well, going scoreless in three appearances with four shots and a minus-one rating. However, Kulich and the Sabres have a chance to kickstart their campaign on Thursday against a struggling defense that has allowed 3.67 goals per game.
6 hours ago
Samuel Honzek Considered Week-To-Week With An Upper-Body Injury
Calgary Flames left wing Samuel Honzek will be out week-to-week with an upper-body injury. He got hurt on Tuesday versus Chicago, and unfortunately, it looks like the rookie winger will have to sit out multiple games. Despite skating on the first line and seeing power-play time, Honzek has gone scoreless in his first four NHL appearances, producing six shots on goal. He earned himself a top-six job by scoring seven points (one goal, six assists) in four preseason games. The Flames return to action on Saturday versus Seattle, with Matt Coronato expected to replace Honzek on the first line.
6 hours ago
Alec Martinez Placed On Injured Reserve
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Alec Martinez (groin) will miss Thursday's game against San Jose and has been placed on Injured Reserve. The veteran rearguard faces a spell on the sidelines due to a groin strain. Martinez, who joined the Blackhawks on a one-year deal in free agency in the summer, has recorded one assist with four shots and 15 blocks through the first four games of the season. He's been a core member of the backline, averaging over 21 minutes a night. Chicago has called up Isaak Phillips from the minors to add defensive depth, while Nolan Allan is expected to replace Martinez in the lineup on Thursday. This will be his second NHL appearance. Allen went scoreless in 10:26 of ice time in his debut against Seattle on Oct. 8.
6 hours ago
Nick Leddy Unavailable On Thursday
St. Louis Blues defenseman Nick Leddy (lower body) has been ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Islanders. He played through a lower-body injury on Tuesday versus Minnesota and couldn't practice on Wednesday. Ryan Suter is expected to step into a first-pairing role, while Pierre-Olivier Joseph will re-enter the lineup on the third pairing. Leddy is considered day-to-day and will have his first opportunity to return to action on Saturday versus Carolina.
6 hours ago
Linus Ullmark Remains Out On Thursday
Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark (muscle strain) will remain on the shelf for Thursday's clash with the Devils. The Senators hoped to have their No. 1 back on Thursday after he sat out Monday's matchup against Los Angeles, but Anton Forsberg will get another start, with Mads Sogaard working as his backup. Ullmark's next chance to return comes on Saturday versus Tampa Bay. Forsberg gave up three goals on nine shots on Monday and was pulled in the second period in favor of Sogaard, who didn't look sharp either, but the team somehow squeezed out an 8-7 victory in overtime. It could be another bad day at the office for Forsberg on Thursday, as he faces a very talented offense. The Devils have averaged 3.17 goals per game while going 4-2-0.
7 hours ago
Justin Danforth Set For Season Debut Versus Sabres
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Justin Danforth (wrist) is poised to make his season debut in Thursday's matchup against Buffalo. He missed the first three contests of the season following offseason wrist surgery. Danforth will skate with Mikael Pyyhtia and Cole Sillinger on the third line, with Kent Johnson jumping to the second line. Kevin Labanc will make way in the lineup, sitting out the game as a healthy scratch. Danforth has 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) in 71 games with the Blue Jackets, including four points in the final two games. He certainly has some offensive ability and could do damage against a defensively fragile and tired team that played last night in Pittsburgh.
7 hours ago
Derek Forbort Out For Personal Reasons
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Derek Forbort has left the team for personal reasons and will not play against Florida on Thursday. It's possible Forbort will miss the rest of the team's current road trip, which includes two more stops after Thursday night. The veteran blue-liner has registered one assist with three shots and five blocks in the first three games of the season, averaging 16:53 of ice time on the third defensive pairing. Vincent Desharnais and Erik Brannstrom are the candidates to replace him in the lineup on Thursday. Neither player holds any fantasy value.
7 hours ago
Victor Olofsson Out On Thursday
Vegas Golden Knights left wing Victor Olofsson (lower body) will not play against Tampa Bay on Thursday. He was injured on Tuesday versus Washington and could miss an extended period after he was seen on crutches. It's an unfortunate blow for Olofsson, who did well in the first few games of the season, scoring three goals in four games. Tanner Pearson will replace the Swedish winger on the second line. The veteran boasts one assist through four appearances this season with two shots on goal. However, Pearson has so far been limited to only fourth-line minutes and could have a greater impact in a larger role in Thursday's matchup.
7 hours ago
Tyler Seguin Sits Out Second Consecutive Game
Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin (lower body) will be absent for a second consecutive game on Thursday versus Washington. He's battling a lower-body injury and will get his next opportunity to return on Saturday against Edmonton. Seguin landed on the shelf after enjoying an excellent start to the season. He posted two goals and one assist across the first three games of the campaign. Seguin's absence has boosted Evgenii Dadonov's fantasy value, as the Russian winger joined the second power-play unit on Tuesday versus San Jose while skating on the second line. However, the veteran forward has struggled offensively so far, going scoreless in four games with 11 shots.
7 hours ago
Christian Fischer Returns To Red Wings Lineup
Detroit Red Wings right wing Christian Fischer (upper body) will rejoin the lineup for Thursday's battle against the Rangers. He was injured against Nashville last weekend and missed Monday's tilt versus the Rangers. Fischer is still looking for his first points of the season. He tallied five goals and 14 assists across 79 outings last term. The 27-year-old is expected to join Andrew Copp and Michael Rasmussen on the third line for Thursday's action. Austin Watson comes out of the lineup and has been reassigned to the minors.
7 hours ago
Vladimir Tarasenko Good To Go Thursday
Detroit Red Wings winger Vladimir Tarasenko (illness) will play against the Rangers on Thursday. He was forced to sit out Wednesday's practice because of an illness but won't miss any game time. Tarasenko should join his usual partners, J.T. Compher and Lucas Raymond, on the second line. The campaign has not gone too well for Tarasenko so far, as he boasts only one point through three games, having found the back of the net in last week's season opener against Pittsburgh. However, he should be eager to perform well in a matchup against his former team. Tarasenko has tallied two goals and one assist in four games against the Rangers since leaving New York.
7 hours ago
Chris Kreider On Track To Play Thursday
New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (illness) appears ready to play on Thursday against the Red Wings. He missed Wednesday's practice because of an illness but participated in Thursday's morning skate, working on his usual spot on the first line. The Rangers' top trio hasn't quite hit top gear yet, but Kreider has been prolific on special teams and can't complain after scoring three times in the first three games of the season. He has tallied 11 goals and 12 assists in 30 career appearances against Detroit.
8 hours ago
Jake Oettinger Signs Eight-Year Extension With Stars
Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger has signed an eight-year extension with the team. The deal is worth $66 million, giving Oettinger a cap hit of $8.25 million starting next season. The 25-year-old has developed into an elite netminder in recent years, putting together a 116-48-23 career record. He boasts a 2.49 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage with 11 shutouts. Oettinger is a perfect 3-0-0 for the 2024-25 campaign ahead of his fourth start of the year on Thursday versus Washington. He has allowed only five goals so far with a .946 save percentage.
8 hours ago
Cale Makar Totals Three Points In Wednesday's Loss
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar factored in all of the team's goals in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to Boston. He scored Colorado's second goal and had two assists. All of Makar's three points came in power-play situations, so he ended up with a minus-two rating across 27:28 of action. The 2022 Norris Trophy Winner carries an ugly minus-six rating for the season, as the Avalanche have badly struggled in defense -- the team has allowed 25 goals in four games. However, fantasy managers can be more than happy with Makar's offensive productivity. The star blue-liner has averaged two points per game, notching one goal and seven assists. Makar boasts five power-play points.
16 hours ago
Auston Matthews Bags First Points Of The Season
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews finally opened his scoring account for the season on Wednesday, finishing a 6-2 victory with one goal and two assists. He scored in an even-strength situation in the first period before bagging two power-play assists. Matthews' work across 18 minutes also included four shots and one block. The new Maple Leafs captain has set such high standards for himself that there may have been more than a few nervous fantasy managers following his modest start to the season. However, it was only a matter of time before he came alive, and the rest of the league now has a reason to worry.
16 hours ago
Sidney Crosby Surpasses 1,600 Career Points In Wednesday's Win
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby reached 1,600 career points in Wednesday's high-scoring 6-5 overtime win against the Sabres. The Penguins captain had a power-play assist in the first period to become the 10th player in NHL history to reach the 1,600-point plateau. He added an even-strength assist to his tally in the third period and capped off the night with the game-winning goal on the power play with 1:38 played in overtime. Crosby needed the fifth-fewest games in history to reach 1,600 points, getting there with his 1,277th appearance. His resume shows 593 goals and 1,009 assists. The veteran superstar has notched six points (one goal, five assists) in five games this season.
16 hours ago
Evgeni Malkin Scores 500th Career Goal
Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin celebrated his 500th career goal and added three assists in Wednesday's 6-5 overtime victory against Buffalo. Sidney Crosby set him up early in the third period to give the Penguins a 4-3 lead. Malkin is only the eighth player born outside North America to net 500 regular-season goals in the NHL. He joined Crosby, Steven Stamkos, Auston Matthews, and Patrick Kane as the fifth active player to pick up multiple points in each of his team's first four road games of a season. The Russian star has racked up 11 points (two goals, nine assists) over the four-game stretch after going scoreless in Pittsburgh's season-opening 6-0 loss to the Rangers. This is starting to look like the beginning of a big bounce-back year for Malkin, who settled for 67 points (27 goals, 40 assists) in 82 games last term.
16 hours ago
Miles Wood Exits Wednesday's Action Due To Injury
Colorado Avalanche left wing Miles Wood made an early exit against Boston on Wednesday after suffering an apparent arm injury. He was injured when absorbing a hit from Bruins forward Elias Lindholm. Wood recorded one shot on goal in 12:46 of ice time before being forced to leave the game. Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar didn't have an update on Wood after the game. A significant injury to Wood would be a major blow for the Avalanche, who are already without four forwards. With few quality options left, Bednar pushed Wood up to the first line for Wednesday's tilt. Nikolai Kovalenko and Ross Colton have also seen time there following Jonathan Drouin's (upper body) exit from the lineup.
16 hours ago
Robert Bortuzzo Injured During Season Debut
Utah Hockey Club defenseman Robert Bortuzzo suffered an undisclosed injury in Wednesday's matchup against Anaheim. He left the 5-4 overtime loss in the third period after logging 10:02 of ice time. While in the game, Bortuzzo recorded one block and two penalty minutes with a minus-two rating. He was making his season debut in Sean Durzi's (upper body) absence. It looks like Utah could be down another d-man before Saturday's action against Boston, with Patrik Koch likely being the next man up at the back. The 27-year-old Slovakia native has previously played in only one NHL game. He logged 15 points (one goal, 14 assists) in 63 AHL appearances last season.
17 hours ago
