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Panthers Place Aleksander Barkov on Long-Term Injured Reserve
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (leg) was placed on long-term Injured Reserve on Saturday. The Panthers captain suffered an apparent left leg injury on Thursday night against the San Jose Sharks. Barkov remains under evaluation after undergoing an MRI. The Panthers are reportedly optimistic that Barkov's injury is not season-ending. Still, he's facing a spell on the sidelines and must miss at least 10 games and 24 days after landing on long-term injured Reserve. With Barkov out, the Panthers will lean more on Sam Bennett and Anton Lundell at center.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
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Alex Tuch Starts Life in Washington With Two-Goal Outing
Washington Capitals winger Alex Tuch lit the lamp twice in Friday's impressive 5-2 road win over the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Carolina Hurricanes. In his official Capitals debut, Tuch became the fifth player in franchise history to open his tenure with a multi-goal outing, providing two of Washington's three first-period goals. He started the season on a line with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Tom Wilson. Across the previous four campaigns, Tuch has scored at least 30 goals three times. As a member of Washington's talented forward group, Tuch is in a prime spot for another prolific year in 2026-27.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Leo Carlsson Opens Season With Multi-Point Effort
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson contributed a goal and an assist in Friday's season-opening 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. This was Carlsson's first outing since becoming the NHL's highest-paid player with a five-year, $90 million contract. He certainly proved his worth, helping the Ducks to a 4-0 lead before Vegas made the score respectable with three third-period goals. Carlsson logged 17:43 of ice time, including 2:58 on the power play. The Ducks went with Cutter Gauthier and A.J. Greer as Carlsson's running mates on the first line. By racking up four points together, the trio showed off good chemistry.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
JJ Peterka Pots Game-Winner in Overtime Friday
Boston Bruins winger JJ Peterka potted the game-winning goal on Friday night as the team beat the Winnipeg Jets 4-3 in overtime. The Bruins narrowly escaped defeat in regulation on a goal from Elias Lindholm, and Peterka popped up with the winner in the extra frame. David Pastrnak assisted both goals. Peterka has become the first player in eight years to score in each of his first two outings for Boston. He plays with Lindholm and Pastrnak on the top line, and the trio has found good chemistry early in the season. They'll head back to work on Saturday night against Minnesota.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Dylan Garand Posts First Career Shutout
New York Rangers goaltender Dylan Garand had a special night on Friday, recording his first career shutout in a 2-0 road victory over the Detroit Red Wings. The Rangers wrapped up a back-to-back and went with Garand in the crease after Igor Shesterkin was between the sticks in Thursday's matchup with Tampa Bay. Garand has earned a backup role due to Joonas Korpisalo's (lower body) absence. This was only Garand's fourth career appearance, and he collected his first shutout with 22 saves. With Korpisalo out week-to-week, we might see Garand again soon.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Joel Hofer Blanks Stars in Season-Opening Win
St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer was in top form during Friday's season opener against the Dallas Stars, registering a 25-save shutout in a 4-0 win. The Stars had won six straight season-opening games, but they couldn't find a way past Hofer on Friday night. Hofer became the second goaltender in franchise history to record a shutout in a season opener, joining Jaroslav Halak. Although Hofer tends to be solid on most nights he plays, he must compete for playing time with Jordan Binnington, limiting his fantasy appeal. Binnington is expected to make his season debut on Saturday against Colorado.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Alexey Toropchenko Sustains Upper-Body Injury in Season Opener
St. Louis Blues winger Alexey Toropchenko left Friday's season opener against Dallas due to an upper-body injury. He saw only 5:08 of action before his premature exit. The Russian forward will likely be forced to sit out Saturday's matchup with Colorado after Blues head coach Jim Montgomery said Toropchenko was "more than day-to-day." Toropchenko's absence won't have significant fantasy implications, as he has a limited fourth-line role in St. Louis. Zach Dean and Dillion Dube are the options to fill in for him on Saturday.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Roope Hintz "Fine" After Knee-on-Knee Collision
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz escaped injury in Friday's season-opening loss to the St. Louis Blues, Lia Assimakopoulos of the Dallas Morning News reports. In the game, Hintz was involved in a knee-on-knee collision with Blues defenseman Brandon Carlo. Hintz needed help getting off the ice, while Carlo was ejected from the game. Fortunately, Hintz returned to action and felt "fine" after the game. Injuries are never far from Hintz, who suited up for just 53 games last season. This time, he was lucky and looks set to remain in the lineup for Saturday's clash against Nashville.
Source: Lia Assimakopoulos
Source: Lia Assimakopoulos
Seamus Casey to Sit Out 6-8 Weeks
New Jersey Devils defenseman Seamus Casey (knee) has been ruled out for 6-8 weeks. The 22-year-old suffered a knee injury in a preseason game on Sept. 24 and underwent surgery. Casey impressed with eight points (four goals, four assists) in 14 outings during the 2024-25 campaign, but the Devils used him only twice last season. The knee injury is a significant setback to his attempt to break into the team. A minimum six-week absence means Casey won't be an option for the Devils' blue line until at least mid-November.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
A.J. Greer Available for Ducks Debut Friday
Anaheim Ducks winger A.J. Greer (upper body) will make his team debut on Friday night against Vegas, Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune reports. Greer has been iffy for the contest due to an upper-body injury sustained during the preseason, but he has been cleared for action. Not only that, but the former Panther will also get an opportunity to impress in a first-line role. With elite talents like Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier next to him, Greer is in a great spot to make a positive first impression. Anaheim also plans to use Greer on the second power-play unit.
Source: Zach Cavanagh
Source: Zach Cavanagh
Andrei Kuzmenko Returns to Practice
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Andrei Kuzmenko (personal) rejoined practice on Friday. He was away from the team for a week to be with his family following his father's passing. The Penguins have removed Kuzmenko from the non-roster list ahead of Saturday's clash against Montreal, signaling he may enter the lineup. On Friday, Kuzmenko skated on the fourth line. Kuzmenko has had an up-and-down NHL career but can heat up in the right circumstances. He has averaged nearly 0.7 points per game in his career.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Olen Zellweger Clears Concussion Protocol
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Olen Zellweger (concussion) will be available on Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks. He missed Thursday's season opener against Columbus after suffering a concussion in a preseason game. Zellweger practiced alongside Owen Power on the second defensive pairing Friday. Based on the practice lines, Matt Grzelcyk is set to make room for Zellweger in the lineup. With the Anaheim Ducks, Zellweger had back-to-back 20-point campaigns. This should be the minimum target for him during his first year in Buffalo.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Warren Foegele Cleared for Action
Ottawa Senators winger Warren Foegele (undisclosed) will play Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. There were doubts about whether Foegele would be available for the season opener due to an undisclosed ailment, but he came through Friday's practice without any issues and has been cleared to play. Foegele skated with the first line Friday, suggesting he will play an important role in Saturday's contest. In 68 outings with the Senators and Los Angeles Kings last season, he contributed 13 goals and four assists, so Foegele typically doesn't have a major offensive impact.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Jake Sanderson Resumes Skating Friday
Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson (undisclosed) was back on the ice on Friday and could play in Saturday's season opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The star defenseman has been dealing with an undisclosed injury after being hurt in a preseason game. Sanderson averaged nearly 25 minutes of ice time last season and plays a crucial role at both ends of the ice for Ottawa. In 2025-26, he notched 54 points (14 goals, 40 assists) and had 128 blocks. If he's cleared to play, Sanderson will fill a spot on the first defensive pairing and quarterback the first power-play unit.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Macklin Celebrini Records Hat Trick of Assists in Season Opener
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini set up three goals in Thursday's season-opening 4-3 overtime win over the Florida Panthers. Celebrini had a short-handed and a power-play assist on a pair of Will Smith goals in regulation and assisted Luca Cagnoni on the game-winning goal in overtime. He became the third player in franchise history to record three-plus assists in a season opener. The young Sharks star took his game to an elite level last season and should still have plenty of upside at 20. In the next matchup, Celebrini will face the L.A. Kings, who allowed eight goals in their season opener against Colorado.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Connor McDavid Bags Five Points in 16-Goal Thriller
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid contributed a goal and four assists in Thursday's 9-7 road win over the Vancouver Canucks. As on Tuesday in the season opener against Vancouver, the Oilers leaked goals all over the place, but this time the frontline did enough to secure a victory. This was McDavid's 15th career five-point game, tying him for the seventh-most in NHL history. Two games into the new season, McDavid already has seven points (one goal, six assists). With Edmonton's defense as shaky as ever, McDavid can't afford any days off if the team wants to be competitive.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Karel Vejmelka Posts 15-Save Shutout in Season Opener
Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka started the 2026-27 campaign with a 15-save shutout in Thursday's 6-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The Mammoth dominated on home ice, and Vejmelka played a key part in it. Vejmelka has registered over 60 wins across the last two seasons, but he still has room for improvement. With a solid team around him, the Czech netminder has no reason he can't pick up shutouts at a higher rate than he currently does. The 2025-26 campaign was only his second season with more than one shutout.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Igor Shesterkin Pots Empty-Netter in Big Win
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin had a special outing on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, becoming the first netminder in franchise history to score a goal. He wrapped up a 5-1 victory with an empty-netter. Overall, Shesterkin is the 18th goaltender to score in an NHL game. The 2022 Vezina Trophy winner also performed admirably in his regular duties, allowing only one goal on 25 SOG. Shesterkin has put in elite work year after year, and Thursday's goal already makes this season special for him. This game will also go into the history books as Shesterkin's 100th home win in the NHL.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Sabres Sign Louis Crevier to Four-Year, $16 Million Extension
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Louis Crevier signed a four-year, $16 million contract extension ahead of Thursday's season opener against Columbus. He would have been a restricted free agent next year. Crevier landed in Buffalo in June as part of the Bowen Byram trade. On Thursday night, Crevier worked on the second defensive pairing alongside Owen Power, recording one SOG and two blocks in 16:14 of ice time. While Crevier had a fairly quiet Sabres debut, he showed good two-way ability last season, finishing with 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists), 114 SOG, 95 blocks, and 124 hits in 78 games.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Tristan Luneau Lands $43.2 Million Deal After 14 NHL Games
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Tristan Luneau has signed a six-year, $43.2 million contract extension. The Ducks locked up Luneau on a long-term deal despite seeing him in only 14 NHL games. Luneau, a second-round draft pick in 2022, has been held back by injuries early in his career. He is expected to become a regular in the lineup this season and is projected to start the campaign as Jackson LaCombe's partner on the first defensive pairing. Luneau, who will finish his entry-level contract in 2026-27, should also see power-play time on the second unit.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Aleksander Barkov Exits With Injury Thursday
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov sustained an apparent lower-body injury in Thursday's overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks. He was hurt in the second period during a scrum along the boards. The Panthers captain missed the entire 2025-26 campaign after tearing his right ACL and MCL in training camp. Fortunately, his latest setback isn't related to last year's issue. "It's not related to his injury last year at all," Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said. "We'll have a good idea by [Friday] afternoon." Still, it's possible Barkov will miss time again, boosting the fantasy value of Sam Bennett and Anton Lundell.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
