NHL News

Tom Wilson • RW • Capitals

Tom Wilson Could Be an Option Saturday

Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (lower body) could return from a six-game absence on Saturday against the Florida Panthers. The power forward rejoined practice earlier this week and participated in an optional morning skate on Saturday. Wilson is having a career year in 2025-26, sitting on a team-high 42 points (22 goals, 20 assists) through 41 appearances. Wilson's return on Saturday would probably bump Ethen Frank from the first line. However, Frank may still see increased usage due to Justin Sourdif's (upper body) continued absence.

18 minutes ago

Leo Carlsson • C • Ducks

Leo Carlsson Out for 3-5 Weeks After Thigh Procedure

Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (thigh) will miss 3-5 weeks after undergoing a procedure on Friday to treat a Morel-Lavallee lesion in his left thigh. Carlsson has missed two games due to the injury. The young Swedish star now faces a race against time to get healthy for the Olympics. Sweden begins its tournament on Feb. 11. Meanwhile, it's clear Carlsson won't play for the Ducks until after the Olympics. Carlsson has had a special campaign in 2025-26, recording a team-high 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 44 games. In his absence, Mason McTavish has taken on first-line center duties, with Mikael Granlund jumping to the second line.

25 minutes ago

Leon Draisaitl • C • Oilers

Leon Draisaitl Takes Leave of Absence

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (personal) has taken a leave of absence and won't play on Saturday night against the Vancouver Canucks. The German superstar has returned to his native country due to a family illness. Edmonton expects to have him back next week. Draisaitl is having another phenomenal season, posting 67 points (25 goals, 42 assists) in 48 games. Andrew Mangiapane is expected to re-enter the lineup on Saturday, with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins taking over the second-line center role. Meanwhile, Vasily Podkolzin will replace Nugent-Hopkins on the first line. The Russian forward will have additional fantasy value as Connor McDavid's partner.

30 minutes ago

Matt Boldy • LW • Wild

Matt Boldy Placed on Injured Reserve

Minnesota Wild winger Matt Boldy (undisclosed) was placed on Injured Reserve on Friday. This was unexpected, given that Boldy logged his usual ice time during Thursday's 6-2 defeat against the Winnipeg Jets. Boldy posted an assist on Thursday, boosting his total for the season to 51 points (27 goals, 24 assists) in 48 games. Sadly, he won't get a chance to add to his tally for a bit. Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body), who has missed three games, was also moved to Injured Reserve on Friday. The team added Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Hunter Haight to the roster from the minors. Boldy's departure from the lineup opens a top-six opportunity for Vladimir Tarasenko.

23 hours ago

Ross Colton • C • Avalanche

Ross Colton Good to Go Friday

Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton (upper body) will suit up on Friday against the Nashville Predators. Initially, he was doubtful for the game after skipping Thursday's practice due to an upper-body injury. Colton has logged 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) across 45 outings in 2025-26. With Gabriel Landeskog (upper body) sidelined, Colton has received an opportunity to feature in the top six. He has responded by recording four assists over the past three games. However, Colton hasn't scored a goal for 22 consecutive appearances.

23 hours ago

Will Smith • C • Sharks

Will Smith Returns Against Red Wings

San Jose Sharks forward Will Smith (upper body) will return from a 13-game absence on Friday night against the Detroit Red Wings. The talented sophomore has been cleared to return from an upper-body injury. Smith is projected to join Macklin Celebrini and Igor Chernyshov on the first line. He is also expected to fill a spot on the second power-play unit. In 2025-26, Smith has scored nearly a point per game, racking up 12 goals and 17 assists in 33 appearances. Prior to his injury, Smith went back-to-back appearances without recording a point, but he has yet to experience a three-game scoreless streak this season.

23 hours ago

Shayne Gostisbehere • D • Hurricanes

Shayne Gostisbehere Out Friday

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (illness) won't be in the lineup on Friday against the Florida Panthers. The 32-year-old is battling an illness, with his absence leaving the Hurricanes without their highest-scoring defenseman. It has been a fantastic year for Gostisbehere, who boasts 32 points (six goals, 26 assists) through 35 appearances. Jaccob Slavin, who was scratched for Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues for load management, is expected to play instead of Gostisbehere. Meanwhile, Alexander Nikishin could land on the first power-play unit.

23 hours ago

Brad Marchand • LW • Panthers

Brad Marchand Remains Out Friday

Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand (undisclosed) will sit out a fourth straight game on Friday versus the Carolina Hurricanes. He exited the lineup last week after being banged up for a while. Considering he isn't ready to play on Friday night, it also appears unlikely that Marchand will feature in Saturday's contest against the Washington Capitals. Eetu Luostarinen, Anton Lundell, and Sam Reinhart will continue as the top trio for Florida, while A.J. Greer maintains a second-line role after scoring twice in Monday's 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

23 hours ago

Joel Armia • RW • Kings

Joel Armia Returns From Five-Game Absence

Los Angeles Kings right wing Joel Armia (upper body) will rejoin the action on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks. He has been cleared for the Freeway Face-Off after missing five games due to an upper-body injury. Unfortunately for the Kings, their frontline will remain without Anze Kopitar (upper body), Trevor Moore (upper body), and Corey Perry (personal). As a result, Armia will fill a second-line role and could also get a healthy amount of power-play time. The Finnish veteran has totaled 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in 41 outings this season.

Yesterday

Chris Kreider • LW • Ducks

Chris Kreider a Game-Time Call Friday

Anaheim Ducks left wing Chris Kreider (illness) missed the morning skate and is considered a game-time decision for Friday's matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. The veteran forward is dealing with an illness and could sit out his fifth game of the season. Kreider has had a tough six-week stretch, finishing 15 of his 20 appearances without a point. He has contributed 15 goals and 10 assists in 42 games during the season. If Kreider isn't ready to play, Anaheim will have to tweak its top line and the second power-play unit.

Yesterday

Troy Terry • RW • Ducks

Troy Terry, Cutter Gauthier Available Friday

Anaheim Ducks wingers Troy Terry (upper body) and Cutter Gauthier (illness) will return to the lineup on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings. Gauthier missed Tuesday's win over the Dallas Stars due to illness, while Terry has been sidelined for three games with an upper-body injury. The two have combined for over 80 points this season, with Gauthier scoring a team-high 20 goals. They will link up with Ryan Poehling on the third line and could be a big threat on Friday night against a depleted Kings squad.

Yesterday

Leo Carlsson • C • Ducks

Leo Carlsson Sits Out Second Consecutive Game

Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (lower body) won't be available for a second consecutive game on Friday night against the Los Angeles Kings. The young Swedish star has landed on the shelf after posting 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in as many games. With Carlsson unavailable, Mason McTavish has taken over as the first-line center. Mikael Granlund is also currently working in the top six. On Friday, the Finnish forward could match his season-best point streak by getting on the score sheet for a fourth consecutive game.

Yesterday

Mark Scheifele • C • Jets

Mark Scheifele Leads Jets to Victory Thursday

Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele amassed a season-high four points during Thursday's impressive 6-2 road victory over the Minnesota Wild. Scheifele scored his team's final goal and contributed three assists. Two of his helpers came on the power play. The Jets have shown some fight lately, winning four games in a row, and the team's success has given Scheifele a jolt. He already has five multi-point games this month. Scheifele is chasing his first career 100-point campaign, sitting on a team-high 58 points (23 goals, 35 assists) through 46 appearances.

Yesterday

Tage Thompson • C • Sabres

Tage Thompson Records Season-High Five Points Thursday

Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson dominated against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, completing a 5-3 victory with a season-high five points. He scored his ninth career hat trick and had two assists, bagging two points on the power play. Thompson's monster night included his 200th career goal, which ended up as the game-winning marker. The Sabres have now won 15 of their last 17 games, and Thompson has been at the heart of the success. During that stretch, he has contributed 12 goals and 14 assists. Overall, Thompson has managed 49 points (25 goals, 24 assists) in 46 games this season, with just four players having scored more goals than him.

Yesterday

Jack Eichel • C • Golden Knights

Jack Eichel Notches Four Points Thursday

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel finished Thursday's high-scoring 6-5 overtime victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs with four points. He had three assists during regulation, including one power-play helper, and completed his big night with the game-winning goal in overtime. Eichel recorded his sixth four-point game with the Golden Knights. Three of those have come this season as Eichel attempts to break the 100-point barrier for the first time in his career. Currently, the American star has 55 points (17 goals, 38 assists) across 39 appearances. He has been on a special run recently, amassing five goals and nine assists during a seven-game point streak.

Yesterday

Ilya Sorokin • G • Islanders

Ilya Sorokin Shuts Out Oilers With 35 Saves

New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin took over the league lead with his fifth shutout of the season, keeping Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers at bay with 35 saves in a 1-0 win on Thursday night. McDavid was riding a career-best 20-game point streak, while Leon Draisaitl had averaged two points per game over the last five contests. Yet, Sorokin made containing the star duo look easy on Thursday, becoming the sixth active netminder to record five shutouts in a single season at least three times. Three of Sorokin's five shutouts have come in his last nine starts. He has won three of four outings in January, improving to 15-11-2. The Russian shot-stopper has registered a 2.47 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage.

Yesterday

Andrew Peeke • D • Bruins

Andrew Peeke Not Expected to Be Out Long-Term

Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Peeke (lower body) avoided a major injury on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken, Lauren Campbell of MassLive reports. Peeke was limited to 5:14 of action on Thursday due to a lower-body injury. However, he is expected to skate on Friday. "As of right now, I don't think it's going to be long-term," Bruins head coach Marco Sturm said. Peeke leads Boston with 92 blocks and averages over one hit per game. On the offensive end, he has contributed four goals and five assists in 48 outings. The Bruins have Vladislav Kolyachonok as an extra defenseman, and he will enter the lineup on Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks if needed.

Yesterday

William Nylander • RW • Maple Leafs

William Nylander Aggravates Lower-Body Injury Thursday

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (lower body) left Thursday's 6-5 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights after logging only 2:17 of ice time. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube told reporters after the game that Nylander aggravated a previous lower-body injury. The Swedish star recently missed six games due to a lower-body ailment. Thursday was his fourth game back in the lineup, and Nylander recorded a goal and an assist before his early exit. Unfortunately, it looks like he could now miss more time. Nylander paces the Maple Leafs with 48 points (17 goals, 31 assists) in 37 games. Matthew Knies, who started Thursday's contest on the third line, might move back into the top six if Nylander isn't available Saturday versus the Winnipeg Jets.

Yesterday

Ross Colton • C • Avalanche

Ross Colton Uncertain for Friday

Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton (upper body) is questionable for Friday's matchup against the Nashville Predators, Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette reports. Colton has yet to miss a game this season, recording 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 45 outings. He has recently skated on the second line due to Gabriel Landeskog's (upper body) absence. If Colton is ruled out for Friday, Victor Olofsson or Gavin Brindley might get a chance in the top six. However, this is a tricky matchup for Colorado against a team that's lost only a handful of games since December.

Yesterday

Damon Severson • D • Blue Jackets

Damon Severson Back for Blue Jackets Thursday

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson (illness) is ready to re-enter the lineup on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. He missed Tuesday's victory over the Calgary Flames due to illness. Severson is a solid top-four piece for Columbus and will skate with Ivan Provorov. Additionally, he will rejoin the second power-play unit. Severson has collected 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in 45 appearances, with 59 shots, 48 blocks, and 31 hits. The Blue Jackets' defense will also welcome back Erik Gudbranson (hip) on Thursday night. He will join the third defensive pairing after missing nearly three months with a hip injury. Egor Zamula and Dysin Mayo will exit the lineup.

Yesterday

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