NHL News

Travis Konecny • RW • Flyers

Travis Konecny Suffers Upper-Body Injury Thursday

Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny (upper body) exited Thursday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs after the second period. The team announced that Konecny had suffered an upper-body injury. Prior to his exit, Konecny scored Philadelphia's only goal of the game. He was on target for the third time in five games. Konency is the Flyers' second-highest scorer, with 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) in 42 games. The 28-year-old has been part of a very effective line alongside Trevor Zegras and Christian Dvorak, but that combination may now be broken up if Konecny has to miss time. The Flyers will return to action on Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

3 hours ago

Blake Coleman • LW • Flames

Blake Coleman Makes Early Exit for Precautionary Reasons

Calgary Flames forward Blake Coleman (undisclosed) exited Thursday's matchup against the Boston Bruins early for precautionary reasons, head coach Ryan Huska confirmed after the game. Coleman was limited to 9:55 of ice time, finishing scoreless. He has managed 21 points (13 goals, eight assists) in 44 games this season, sitting second on the team with 110 hits. Additionally, Coleman is tied for second on the roster with a plus-10 rating. Huska's words indicate that Coleman isn't dealing with a serious health issue, but it remains to be seen whether he will be available on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

3 hours ago

Carter Hart • G • Golden Knights

Carter Hart Sustains Lower-Body Injury Thursday

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (lower body) left Thursday's 5-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first period. He appeared to injure his left leg. The Golden Knights plan to fully evaluate him on Friday. On Thursday night, Hart gave up one goal and made no saves before his premature exit. Akira Schmid took over in the net, stopping 21 of 23 pucks. Schmid started the season strongly but has been playing second fiddle to Hart recently. Now, his workload might increase again if Hart misses additional time. Vegas' regular No. 1, Adin Hill (lower body), has been sidelined since October. Hill practiced on Thursday, but it's unclear when he will be able to play.

3 hours ago

Joel Eriksson Ek • C • Wild

Joel Eriksson Ek Out Day-to-Day

Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (undisclosed) was labeled day-to-day after his early exit from Thursday's win over the Seattle Kraken. He left the game in the second period with an undisclosed injury. Fortunately, he avoided a major injury and could be ready to play on Saturday against the New York Islanders. In 45 appearances, Eriksson Ek has posted 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) and 68 hits, ranking among the top three on the team in both categories. If Eriksson Ek can't play this weekend, Ryan Hartman may get a fresh opportunity in the top six.

3 hours ago

Joel Kiviranta • LW • Avalanche

Joel Kiviranta Labeled Week-to-Week

Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta (lower body) is considered week-to-week. He missed a fifth consecutive game on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators. The Finnish forward will probably remain out for at least a few more games, but he is expected to recover in time for the Olympics. After posting a career-high 16 goals and 23 points in 79 games last season, Kiviranta has had a limited impact offensively in 2025-26. He has managed only one goal and three assists across 21 outings. Zakhar Bardakov is currently filling Kiviranta's spot on the fourth line, recording assists in back-to-back games.

3 hours ago

Brendan Smith • D • Blue Jackets

Brendan Smith Out for 3-4 Months After Surgery

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Brendan Smith (knee) underwent surgery and is expected to be out for 3-4 months. He had a procedure to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. Smith suffered the injury on Dec. 29 against the Ottawa Senators. Columbus placed him on Injured Reserve last week. Smith, a 15-year veteran, has made 15 appearances this season for the Blue Jackets, registering two assists, 10 shots, 11 blocks, and 12 hits. Given his recovery timeline, Smith might be done for the rest of the 2025-26 regular season.

3 hours ago

Jamie Drysdale • D • Flyers

Jamie Drysdale Unavailable Against Maple Leafs

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale (undisclosed) will miss his first game of the season on Thursday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 23-year-old won't be in the lineup after sustaining an undisclosed injury in Tuesday's win over the Anaheim Ducks. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet has not elaborated on how much time Drysdale will miss. With him sidelined, Philadelphia loses quality from both ends of the ice. Drysdale boasts 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) and 41 blocks from 41 games this season. Noah Juulsen will re-enter the lineup on Thursday but is unlikely to make a significant impact.

18 hours ago

Bobby Brink • RW • Flyers

Bobby Brink Sits Out Thursday

Philadelphia Flyers right wing Bobby Brink (upper body) will not be in the lineup on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Brink exited after his first shift on Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks, and it's unclear how much time he will miss. This will be Brink's first absence of the season. He has registered 11 goals and 20 points in 41 contests. Matvei Michkov (foot), who missed his first game of the season on Tuesday, will take Brink's spot in the lineup. Michkov has been a fantasy disappointment in 2025-26 and has finished three of his last five appearances pointless.

18 hours ago

Simon Nemec • D • Devils

Simon Nemec Back for Devils Thursday

New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec (lower body) has been cleared to play on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 21-year-old has been out for 12 games due to a lower-body injury. Nemec's development has been one of only a few bright spots for the Devils during a frustrating season. He has recorded 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists), 50 shots, and 46 blocks in 31 contests, averaging 20:03 of ice time. The Devils may initially limit Nemec's workload due to his long absence. He is projected to skate on the third defensive pairing on Thursday, joining forces with Brenden Dillon.

18 hours ago

Troy Terry • RW • Ducks

Troy Terry Misses Thursday's Game

Anaheim Ducks right wing Troy Terry (upper body) won't play on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes and is day-to-day. Terry has been ever-present on this exciting Ducks squad, posting 42 points (13 goals, 29 assists) in 43 games. Unfortunately, he will have to miss his first contest of the season due to an upper-body injury. Ryan Strome is set to replace Terry on Thursday night. The veteran has had a frustrating campaign in 2025-26, contributing six points (two goals, four assists) in 22 appearances. However, Strome is projected to skate with Alex Killorn and Leo Carlsson, putting him in a good position to make a significant impact.

18 hours ago

Alexis Lafrenière • LW • Rangers

Alexis Lafreniere Good to Go Against Sabres

New York Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere (illness) is expected to play on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. It was initially unclear if Lafreniere would play after he missed Wednesday's practice due to illness. The 24-year-old is set to remain on the second line against Buffalo. He will work with Vincent Trocheck and the returning J.T. Miller (upper body). On Thursday, Lafreniere will attempt to post his second three-game point streak of the season. He's had a fabulous start to January, registering one goal and three assists in two games.

18 hours ago

Brad Marchand • LW • Panthers

Brad Marchand Out Thursday

Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand (undisclosed) won't play on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. Florida's top scorer didn't finish Tuesday's loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs and will miss at least one entire game. According to Panthers head coach Paul Maurice, Marchand has been banged up for a while. It's possible his absence won't be limited to Thursday night, but Maurice didn't rule Marchand out for Saturday's meeting with the Ottawa Senators. Jack Studnicka will get a chance to play against Montreal, while A.J. Greer is expected to start the game in the top six.

18 hours ago

Evgeni Malkin • C • Penguins

Evgeni Malkin Set to Return Thursday

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve and is set to return from a 15-game absence on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. Malkin's return will be an additional boost to an improving Penguins team that has reignited its playoff hopes with a five-game winning streak. He is expected to make his comeback as the left winger on the second line, having skated there during Wednesday's practice. Ben Kindel and Yegor Chinakhov will join Malkin on the line. Malkin has been a point-per-game player in 2025-26, notching eight goals and 21 assists in 26 appearances.

19 hours ago

Matvei Michkov • RW • Flyers

Matvei Michkov Expected to Play Thursday

Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov (foot) is expected to be in the lineup on Thursday versus the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ashlyn Sullivan of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports. Due to a foot injury, Michkov was unavailable for the first time this season on Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks. Under a new coaching regime, Michkov has taken a step back in 2025-26. He has notched nine goals and 23 points in 40 appearances. The Russian talent has managed just one goal over his last 16 outings. Thursday's matchup is a good spot for Michkov to start turning things around, as the Maple Leafs allow an average of 3.29 goals per game.

Yesterday

Alex Lyon • G • Sabres

Alex Lyon to Miss at Least One More Week

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon (lower body) will be out for about 7-10 more days, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports. Lyon sustained a lower-body injury in late December, landing on the shelf after winning seven consecutive decisions. Buffalo has gone with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in all three games since Lyon was injured. The Finnish netminder has done solid work, posting a 2-1-0 record and allowing eight goals. With Lyon and Luukkonen in top form, the Sabres have been the hottest team in the NHL since December, joining the playoff race.

Yesterday

Mason Marchment • LW • Blue Jackets

Mason Marchment Placed on Injured Reserve, Out Week-to-Week

Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Mason Marchment (upper body) was placed on Injured Reserve, ruling him out for at least three games. He has already skipped one contest due to an upper-body injury. The team considers Marchment week-to-week. Losing Marchment is a significant blow for the Blue Jackets, as he's had an impressive start with his new team. Since coming over from Seattle, Marchment has averaged a point per game in seven outings, scoring five goals. Columbus has replaced Marchment on the roster with Mikael Pyyhtia, but it's unclear whether he'll make the lineup for Thursday's matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Yesterday

Alexis Lafrenière • LW • Rangers

Alexis Lafreniere Battling Illness, Iffy for Thursday

New York Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere (illness) missed Wednesday's practice and may not be available for Thursday's tilt against the Buffalo Sabres. After bagging four points (one goal, three assists) in the first two games of 2026, Lafreniere could be sidelined by an illness. In December, Lafreniere had points in only four of 15 appearances, but he has shown encouraging signs of improvement early this month. Luckily for the Rangers, J.T. Miller (upper body) is on the cusp of returning and could take Lafreniere's spot in the lineup.

Yesterday

J.T. Miller • C • Rangers

J.T. Miller Likely to Return Thursday

New York Rangers forward J.T. Miller (upper body) is on track to return to action on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. An upper-body injury knocked the Rangers captain out of the lineup before the holiday break, leading to a seven-game absence. At the start of the week, Miller was cleared for contact and now appears ready for game action. This season, Miller has lacked his usual sharpness, going for only 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) in 35 games. He has made it to the score sheet just 16 times throughout the campaign.

Yesterday

Adam Henrique • C • Oilers

Adam Henrique Out Through Olympic Break

Edmonton Oilers center Adam Henrique (undisclosed) was placed on Injured Reserve and is not expected to be healthy until after the Olympic break. The 35-year-old veteran was injured during Tuesday's win over the Nashville Predators. In 43 outings, Henrique has posted 10 points (two goals, eight assists) while winning 54.8 percent of his faceoffs. The Oilers need a new third-line center with him on the shelf. Trent Frederic and Andrew Mangiapane were scratched against Nashville on Tuesday and will be the main candidates to fill Henrique's spot in the lineup.

Yesterday

Nathan Walker • LW • Blues

Nathan Walker Ready to End 16-Game Absence

St. Louis Blues left wing Nathan Walker (upper body) will return from a 16-game absence on Wednesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. He will team up with Alexey Toropchenko and Oskar Sundqvist on the fourth line. Walker was in the midst of a solid offensive stretch when he got hurt at the start of December. The 31-year-old has notched nine points (three goals, six assists) in 25 appearances this season, while averaging 3.8 hits per game. Mathieu Joseph will be in the press box on Wednesday to accommodate Walker's return.

Yesterday

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